Another Landmark Event
If you had driven by Odell House on the morning of October 18th, you would have seen two large tractor trailers loaded with big metal shipping containers pulling out of the driveway.
Parked on the property years ago, the containers have been an eyesore and an obstruction for restoration work. After nearly four years of negotiation the contents of the containers—artifacts that Elizabeth Odell saved and intended to be part of the museum—are now owned by the Town of Greenburgh. All of the documents and photographs now belong to the Westchester County Historical Society. Both organizations will work with the Friends of OHRH to make everything available for research.
With the help of the Friends, the Town hired an expert moving company to wrap the delicate pieces and move them to a climate-controlled storage facility. During the process we photographed the beautiful 18th century desks, native American artifacts, tables, chairs, trunks and so much more saved by the Odell family.
With the guidance of a professional archival firm hired by the Town, an inventory of all the artifacts will be prepared. This inventory will help Amaze Design, the firm working with our Board and Academic Advisory Committee, to prepare a full schematic plan for the museum. The inventory and the plan will determine how to tell the many stories of the people who lived in Odell House. Where will the bust of Rochambeau go? Did he use one of the desks while he lived in the house?
Full preliminary sketches of the exhibits are coming soon, but here is one proposal for the room where Rochambeau and Washington made the fateful decision to march their armies to Yorktown, Virginia. A highlight will be a talking portrait of Rochambeau. More on this below!
In other news . . .
We are excited to announce that one of the most important exhibits—an animated portrait of Rochambeau—will be funded through a $30,000 Legislative Initiative Grant from our NY State Assemblywoman, MaryJane Shimsky. Thank you, MaryJane!
The Westchester County Board of Legislators has increased their 2024 support of the work of the Friends with an additional $10,000 in funding. Thank you, David Imamura!
The Friends contracted architectural historian James Sexton to prepare a report on the structural evolution of the first two sections of the house. His report stated: “While no evidence was found to identify a specific construction date, there was no evidence that is inconsistent with the building having been constructed prior to 1781, the year that the house was used by Comte de Rochambeau as his headquarters during the French American Encampment in the area.”
The Friends were part of the Harvest Festival at Philipse Manor Hall on September 28th.
We will be at Revolution on the Hudson on Saturday, November 9th. Susan Seal will be telling the story of Sarah Bates, the second woman to live in the Odell house.
We Need Your Support!
The funding for our exhibits is not included in the restoration budget, so we need to raise funds to create a compelling, interactive museum within the house. The more we raise, the more exciting and informative the exhibits will be.
Please give what you can—and let us know if you have connections to organizations or individuals who could make major donations.
Click here to donate.
If you want to donate by check, make it payable to Friends of OHRH and mail it to OHRH, c/o Seal, 14 Rochambeau Drive, Hartsdale, NY 10530.
Thank you for your support!