New Rochelle “Walk of Fame” Dedicated

POSTED: DECEMBER 2011

The City of New Rochelle dedicated its inaugural “Walk of Fame” at Library Green on Saturday, October 29. A total of 25 distinctive interpretive signs, created in honor of famous residents- from actors and artists to activists and entrepreneurs- were ceremonially unveiled with due fanfare and applause. A list of inductees follows below.

The New Rochelle Walk of Fame, located in Ossie Davis Park at Library Green in downtown, is a unique tribute to nationally notable individuals with distinct ties to New Rochelle. Each inductee is memorialized with a 20” x 14” full color historical interpretive sign telling his or her story in words and graphics. The Walk is a micro history of America in a nutshell as reflected in the lives of New Rochelle’s famous sons and daughters, representing the arts, business, politics, education, the media, entertainment and sports. The signs are strategically located in the gardens lining the Library Green pathway and were created and funded by former resident and historian Roderick Kennedy Jr., working in partnership with the City of New Rochelle and the Downtown Business Improvement District.

“The Walk of Fame will enliven one of New Rochelle’s great public spaces, while also celebrating some of the remarkable individuals who have shaped our City’s history,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. New Rochelle Parks and Recreation Commissioner William Zimmermann noted, “This Walk of Fame is a vivid snapshot of New Rochelle’s rich history and prominent residents, to be enjoyed by everyone in our premier urban park named after one of the luminaries.”

“This is such an exciting addition to our community,” said City Historian Barbara Davis. “Rod Kennedy’s vision to go beyond the traditional walk of fame by creating these wonderful interpretive signs, gives so much depth to the project. New Rochelleans of all ages will gain a richer understanding of New Rochelle and its great residents—for many, many years to come.”

The inauguration was followed by an illustrated slide presentation by Barbara Davis of “Great Notables of New Rochelle”.

Nominations will be accepted for the next round of inductions, planned for 2013. For further information, contact Barbara Davis at bdavis@nrpl.org or 632-8324.

Photo caption: Left to right: Mayor Noam Bramson, Roderick Kennedy Jr., Lizanne Merrill (daughter of Robert Merrill), City Historian Barbara Davis, Karen S. Allen (Ellabelle Davis biographer), Guy Davis, Jihad Muhammed (son and grandson, respectively, of Ossie Davis and Rubie Dee), BID representative Chris Selin and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bill Zimmermann.

 

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...