North Hempstead Notebook: William Cullen Bryant Historic Marker Unveiled

Area officials gathered Wednesday to announce the installation of a historic roadside marker at Cedarmere, the former Roslyn Harbor home of William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878).

Originally a farmhouse built by Quaker Richard Kirk in 1787, the estate was purchased by Bryant in 1843 as a country retreat from New York. He eventually named the property Cedarmere and wrote much of his later romantic poetry in the library there. 

On hand at the event was Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, North Hempstead Historian Howard Kroplick, Pres. of Friends of Cedarmere John B. Dawson, Jr., Executive Director of the Roslyn Landmark Society Franklin Hill Perrell and Legis. Wayne Wink. 

A museum was opened in 1994 by Nassau County in honor of the 200th anniversary of William Cullen Bryant’s birth. Cedarmere is currently closed for renovation, but visitors may still enjoy walking around the grounds during daylight hours.

In other town news, North Hempstead Councilwoman Anna Kaplan recently helped facilitate a book club at the Great Neck Library. 

Through a collaboration with Great Neck Library Director Laura Weir and Kim Warga, the Lit Chat & Chit Chat Book Club was born. 

This unique book club is specifically designed for both young adults and adults with developmental disabilities. The Winter Session will meet at the main branch of the library on Thursdays from 7:30-8:50 p.m. on the flowing dates: Feb. 19; Feb. 26; March 5; March 12; March 19; April 9; and April 16. 

A spring session is being planned. For more information, please call the library at (516) 466-8055.