The August episode of "Crossroads of Rockland History" started streaming on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 10 am.

On the August, 2025 episode of Crossroads, host Clare Sheridan welcomed Brad Conklin, chair of the Historical Society of the Palisades Interstate Park Region.

Before the creation of the vast interstate park spanning New York and New Jersey, people lived and worked there in small villages and hamlets. The Historical Society of the Palisades Interstate Park Region (HS-PIPR) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that works to preserve and share the history of the people and places that were displaced as a result of the park.

The HS-PIPR is located in the Tomkins Cove Public Library. 419 North Liberty Drive, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986. Its exhibits are open to the public on Saturdays, 1–4pm.Learn more about the HSPIPR through its Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/697058125011131.

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the HS-PIPR will host a reunion of the hamlets that were once part of what is now Harriman State Park. The organization plans to share new bequests, including those from Joan Brooks’s works, as well as the collection of Robert Wallace.

On September 27, the HSRC will offer a guided hike to the Letchworth Reservoirs. Visit www.RocklandHistory.org for info.

The reading at the beginning of the episode was an excerpt from author Elizabeth "Perk" Stalter's book "Doodletown: Hiking Through History in a Vanished Hamlet on the Hudson."

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Crossroads of Rockland History, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, starts streaming new episodes on the third Monday of each month at 10am. From October 2010 to May 2025, the program aired after the morning show on WRCR radio 1700 AM and www.WRCR.com.

Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month. Our recorded broadcasts are also available for streaming on all major podcasts platforms and at our website.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Clare Sheridan will be joined by theatrical historian Richard Skipper. A talented entertainer, Skipper captivates his audiences wherever he goes, blending theater history, personal reflections, songs, and memories. We’ll discuss theater history; his upcoming performance at the Valley Cottage Library; and the role our public libraries play in the arts and in preserving the history of our communities.

About Richard Skipper: Richard Skipper is a multitalented and multi-award-winning vocalist, host, and raconteur. He has had a long and varied career, from his native South Carolina to New York and beyond, in many aspects of show business. He was the associate producer of the 2010, 2012, and 2013 Bistro Awards, and has produced many cabaret shows and concerts. As a philanthropist, he raises funds for many worthwhile causes.

Richard Skipper’s upcoming local performance will be held at the Valley Cottage Library on August 14, 2025 at 7pm.

It’s a one-of-a-kind, unscripted evening shaped entirely by questions from the audience. Richard Skipper blends personal stories, theatrical history, music, and spontaneity to create a joyful, interactive experience that’s never the same twice. With Musical Director Dan Pardo and direction by James Beaman, this show invites audiences into a dynamic celebration of truth, legacy, and connection.

Advance registration required. Click here to register: https://valleycottage.librarycalendar.com/event/everything-you-always-wanted-know-about-richard-skipper-20384

Skipper's website about the history of Hello Dolly can be found here: https://www.callondolly.com/

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New episodes of the "Crossroads of Rockland History" podcast, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, premier at www.RocklandHistory.org on the third Monday of each month. Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers. Our recorded broadcasts are also available for streaming on all major podcasts platforms.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York. www.RocklandHistory.org

Crossroads of Rockland History, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, starts streaming new episodes on the third Monday of each month at 10am. From October 2010 to May 2025, the program aired after the morning show on WRCR radio 1700 AM and www.WRCR.com.

Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month. Our recorded broadcasts are also available for streaming on all major podcasts platforms and at our website.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Crossroads revisited an earlier interview with Virginia Norfleet, founder of the Haverstraw African American Connection (HAAC), an organization that sponsors the annual Haverstraw Juneteenth Celebration. Norfleet was also instrumental in the founding of the African American Memorial Park in Haverstraw. Norfleet is also the 2019 recipient of the HSRC’s Margaret B. and John R. Zehner Award for contributions to the county's history.

The 2025 Juneteenth celebration in Haverstraw will take place over three days: June 19, 20 and 21. Learn more about this years events and programs here: https://www.thehaac.com/juneteenth

Juneteenth is a holiday observed annually on June 19. It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. A combination of the words June and nineteenth, the holiday, also called Freedom Day, has been celebrated since 1866 and is considered to be one of the oldest continuing African American holidays. Juneteenth commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans throughout the former Confederacy of the southern United States. This announcement came 2 1/2 years after The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery. On June 17, 2021, Pres. Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

The mission of the Haverstraw African American Connection is to research, recover, preserve and teach the rich culture and contributions of African American’s with emphasis on the African American people of Haverstraw N.Y.

​H.A.A.C is a Non-Profit 501c3 agency. Through public outreach, dialogue, exhibits and other community initiatives, we will promote knowledge, acceptance and appreciation of our heritage.

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"Crossroads of Rockland History," is a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County. Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month. The recorded broadcasts are available for streaming on all major podcasts platforms.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a non-profit educational institution and principle repository for documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House located at 20 Zukor road in New City.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Crossroads of Rockland History, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, starts streaming new episodes on the third Monday of each month at 10am. From October 2010 to May 2025, the program aired after the morning show on WRCR radio 1700 AM and www.WRCR.com.

Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month. Our recorded broadcasts are also available for streaming on all major podcasts platforms and at our website.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org