As the Great Neck Park District celebrates the 100th anniversary of historic Great Neck House, Park Board Chair Robert Lincoln told the audience at the anniversary celebration on July 9 that "One hundred years ago there was a vision and a need for this community," and Great Neck House was built as a library. Eventually the building became a community recreation center and today stands proud as an integral part of the park district.

And Mr. Lincoln noted "all who came through here," including a host of celebrities, and "all that has happened" along the way. Recently, the old building was renovated and restored, with modern technology, while still maintaining the integrity and beauty of a historic old home. "History continues to be made," Mr. Lincoln added.

Park Commissioner Ivar Segalowitz then went on to list many of the recent renovations and restorations, including new electrical work, ADA compliance, an elevator, first floor bathrooms, and much outside work.

Park District Superintendent Neil Marrin spoke of the investment that this community has made in Great Neck House, over the years, right from the start.

The absolute highlight of the day was the presentation of Commissioner Ruth Tamarin's magnificent history of Great Neck House, complete with old photos still on display at Great Neck House. "The building represents the community," Ms. Tamarin said, as she welcomed descendants of Roswell and Louise Eldridge, founders of the Great Neck Park District and the Great Neck Library. Joining the celebration were grand-nephew Roswell Eldridge II (who grew up in Saddle Rock and attended the Arrandale School) and his wife Juanita, sister-in-law Diane Eldridge and Diane's daughter Jennifer.

And Ms. Tamarin noted that this year, along with being the 100th anniversary of Great Neck House, was also the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Great Neck Park District. Ms. Tamarin began her presentation, calling it "an over-view and history and a history of Great Neck." Though Great Neck House began as a library, by 1974 it became a recreation center and a cultural arts center, and has remained as such to today.

"The building is alive," Ms. Tamarin said. "It's a treasure of the park district, a historical gem in Great Neck." The park board does plan to look into Great Neck House being accepted to the National Registry of Historic Places.

Looking back at "Old Great Neck" proved to be a fascinating slide show. At one point, a photo of a War Memorial flashed on the screen. The long-gone monument once stood at the corner of Middle Neck Road and Beach Avenue. "If anyone knows what happened to this memorial, please let me know," Ms. Tamarin asked. A year's worth of research on this presentation still did not yield an answer to the question, so Ms. Tamarin was hoping "someone out there" might know.

Mr. Roswell spoke briefly too, stating that this event as "very moving for me." Although he does know some family history, he was delighted to learn so much more during the morning's ceremony. And he asked anyone in the audience who had any personal Roswell family history, to please share it with him. At least one member of the audience stood up and promised to chat with Mr. Roswell after the presentation.

Following Ms. Tamarin's "show," the park district received several citations and proclamations, including ones from Congressman Gary Ackerman, from Tom Di Napoli and the New York State Assembly, and from Town Clerk Michelle Schimel and Town Councilmember Lee Seeman, from the Town of North Hempstead.

Great Neck Public School Board of Education Vice President Judi Bosworth and Great Neck Library President David Kahn both offered comments in honor of the day and spoke about the wonderful cooperation among the parks, the schools and the library.

And Deena Lesser, from the Great Neck Historical Society, emphasized the importance of preserving history, today, for tomorrow.

(Editor's Note: Park Commissioner Ruth Tamarin's full presentation, along with the wonderful selection of historic photographs, will be published in the fall in a special issue, The Guide to Great Neck, Celebrating 100 Years With Great Neck House.)