Mission and Purpose
The purpose of the society is to encourage knowledge and appreciation of the history of Mount Vernon, New York by developing a local history digital archive; regularly providing educational programs to schools; offering lectures, presentation and consultations on Mount Vernon history to community and service organization, city policy makers; recommend the preservation of landmark buildings and historic sites; collect artifacts, records and memorabilia; to prepare and publish a periodically updated history of the city; reestablish a viable Library Local History Room; promote the research, writing, and publishing of the official “History of Mount Vernon, NY”; and to participate in local observances of historical events. All persons sympathetic to the aims of the Society are eligible to participate and become members.
Goals
- Protect and preserve buildings of special historic and architectural interest. [For example, John Stevens (1849) , Betty Shabazz (circa 1955), James Roosevelt/Andrew George (1728) and E.B. White/Stuart Little ( circa 1888) Houses, Grace Baptist Chapel ( circa 1892) and C.H. Parker School (1935).]
- Protect the attractiveness and interest of the city for its citizens, tourists, investors and visitors; stimulate and promote cultural and commercial development.
- Facilitate the orderly and efficient growth of the City
- Serve an educational function by preserving historical and architectural features illustrative of the different periods of growth in the city and encourage interest in the city’s unique history in the county, state and region.
- Preserve elements of the city’s past which represents the many and varied ethnic and social groups who have contributed to the advancement of the City.
- Foster civic pride in the extraordinary and special accomplishments in the past in Mount Vernon.
- Stabilize neighborhoods and improve surrounding property values and instill community pride and encourage efficient reuse of older buildings.
