About Us:
The Bronx is the microcosm of the story of America. The only one of New York City's five boroughs that is actually part of the mainland, The Bronx is home to 1.4 million people with a rich diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Since colonial days, The Bronx has stood at the crossroads of American History.
The Bronx County Historical Society was founded in 1955 to preserve the heritage of this thriving community. The Society administers the colonial era Valentine-Varian House, which serves as the Museum of Bronx History; The Bronx County Archives; an extensive Research Library; and Poe Cottage, the final home of America's great 19th century poet and author, Edgar Allan Poe. Both historic houses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Society is not only dedicated to preserving Bronx history. It also offers a variety of programs for the casual visitor, tourist, business person, student, or researcher interested in learning more about contemporary life in The Bronx. Tours of the borough are conducted by The Society's staff and volunteers, while special publications, radio and cable T.V programs, concerts, educational programs, expeditions, art shows and lecture series highlight today's Bronx as well as the borough's heritage.
The common theme in all these activities is the restoration of pride in The Bronx through an awareness of the borough's true place in the history and development of the region. The buildings maintained by The Society are major attractions and also serve as anchors around which stable neighborhoods can develop and thrive. Educational programs allow people of all ages to explore firsthand the history of the borough by becoming active participants in the discovery and preservation of the past and present. The Society believes that its contributions are unique and play a central role in the revitalization of The Bronx.
