The Floral Park Historical Society celebrated its 20th anniversary with the unveiling of eight historical markers on May 3, which will be installed at sites within the Village of Floral Park in the next month.
The unveiling ceremony was held at the Floral Park Recreation Center. It was a community event at which approximately 100 local residents, government and school officials, businesspeople, families and organization representatives gathered to see eight new historical markers unveiled by local people who are associated in a direct way with each of the historical sites they represent.
The following are titles of the markers and the names of the participants who unveiled the markers that will be installed at the eight historic sites within the village:
• Fireman’s Hall – Mayor Longobardi, Deputy Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald, Trustees Dr. Lynn Pomponyo, Archie Cheng and Frank Chiara and Village Justice Doug Hayden and Floral Park Fire Dept. Chief Sal Arrigo;
• 1779 House –Village Justice Hayden and Una Hayden and children and Mrs. Susan and Mr. Bill Boyle;
• Tyson Building – Mr. Maurice Reilly, owner;
• Floral Park School – Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District Board of Education President Mrs. Laura Ferone and Trustee Mrs. Denise DelleCorte;
• American Legion – Floral Park American Legion Post Commander Matthew Cacciatore and Floral Park Legion Auxiliary President Dolores Johnson;
• Floral Theatre – Representing Mr. George Boultadakis, owner of Floral Terrace was Paul Boultadakis and Floral Terrace General Manager Frank Sanzi;
• Masonic Temple – Secretary of Floral Park Masonic Lodge No. 1016 Mr. Alberto G. Cortizo;
• Covert Homestead – Hon. Vincent Muscarella, Nassau County Legislator. Others associated with the markers were invited to take part in the unveilings.
The program included Ann V. Corbett, president of the Floral Park Historical Society as MC. Congratulatory remarks were offered by State Sen. Anna Kaplan, Nassau County Legislator Vincent Muscarella, Mayor Dominic Longobardi and Walter Gosden, the village historian. U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi was represented by Nick Felt. Several citations from elected officials were also placed on display.
Floral Park Historical Society members participating in the event included: Russell O’Brien; Adele Werthmuller; Lynn Henry; Bill Corbett, Sr.; Claire Mansfield, and Margaret MacDonald.
Planning committee members included: Jim MacDonald, carpentry (designed and built sands for each marker); Clare Byrne; Pat and Arthur Bradley; John Lockwood; Sally Ann Corbett-Turco and Bill Corbett, Jr., media relations; Anthony Castoro, graphic design; John Rossi, artisan.
Three historical markers were previously installed in the Village. One was installed by the United Methodist Church of Floral Park on Verbena Avenue for its 115th anniversary. The societ installed two markers – one on Tulip Avenue where the John Lewis Childs mansion and his company’s seedhouse once stood and a second one in the pocket park at Emerson Avenue and Jericho Turnpike to highlight the 1st Vanderbilt Cup Auto Race that went through the village in 1904.
“The members of the historical society launched this project in 2017. We wanted to spark interest in Floral Park’s rich history. Fortunately, with the support of Legislators Richard Nicolello and Vincent Muscarella, we were awarded a Nassau County Grant for $10,000 which covered the cost of getting the eight historical markers cast,” said Ann Corbett, the president of the historical society. “Completing this project in our 20th anniversary year is a way of connecting with the community’s adults and children in a meaningful way.”
Corbett said the markers will be installed by a public works department crew, which will bring the total historical markers up to 11.
“I am grateful for the many dependable and talented people who have worked to make this project a reality,” Corbett said.
A self-guided tour pamphlet designed by former resident Anthony Castoro was given out at the event. The guide has in-depth information about each historical marker site and a map with a suggested route for walkers, bike riders and drivers to take to see all the marker sites. The guide will be available at the Floral Park Library.
In addition to the unveiling of historical markers, attendees enjoyed a FPHS Historical Markers & Historic Sites Photographic Exhibit produced by FPHS Archival Chair Russell O’Brian and a display of “Then and Now” historic building replicas created by artisan John Rossi.
For more information, please contact Ann Corbett at (516)775-6849 or anncorbett@corbettpr.com or visit website www.floralparkhistorical.org.
