Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island by Judith Berdy, published by Arcadia Publishing in 2003, is an illustrated exploration of the intriguing history of an island situated between Manhattan and Queens in the East River. This 128-page book delves into the island’s transformation from Blackwell’s Island, a site for various institutions such as a lunatic asylum and penitentiary, to its current status as Roosevelt Island, a planned community.
Readers will discover the island’s unique past, including notable figures like William Marcy Tweed and Mae West, who both spent time there during its institutional era. The book presents a narrative that highlights the evolution of Roosevelt Island, detailing its journey from a place of confinement to a vibrant residential area. With a focus on history and regional themes, this edition offers a visual and informative account of the island’s significance in the context of New York City’s development.
Official synopsis Publisher
Roosevelt Island captures the fascinating and sometimes curious history of an island located halfway between Manhattan and Queens in the East River. In 1824, the city of New York purchased Blackwell’s Island, later Welfare Island, as a site for its lunatic asylum, penitentiary, workhouses, and almshouses. In the years that followed, the island was a temporary home for several of New York City’s famous and infamous. William Marcy Tweed, better known as “Boss Tweed,” was imprisoned at the penitentiary in the 1870s. Mae West was incarcerated in 1927 at the Workhouse for Women after her appearance in a play called Sex. After many institutions were closed or relocated, Welfare Island was virtually ignored until 1973, when it was reborn as Roosevelt Island, which is now a model planned community and thriving home to almost ten thousand people.
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