Larchmont Luminaries

A Larchmont Historical Society Newsletter from May 1991 published an article by Theora Pierce Hahn on the occasion of the Larchmont Centennial enumerating the famous achievers from the American theater, film, opera, concert stage, art, architecture, literature, sports, and philanthropy who resided, vacationed, or were frequent visitors to this resort community from 1891 through the early 1900s.

Included among the luminaries are: Walter Dammrosch (conductor of the Metropolitan Opera); Andre Segovia (Spanish classical guitarist), John Philip Sousa (bandmaster of the U.S. Marine Band and composer of many famous patriotic marches); George M. Cohan (Broadway composer, playwright, singer and dancer); Lillian Russell (actress); Irving Berlin (composer-lyricist of 1,000 songs); Mary Pickford (silent actress, who lived in Larchmont for the summer of 1916); Douglas Fairbanks (actor and husband of Pickford); Jan Paderewski (Polish concert pianist) and many more. This article describes part of three rotating exhibits which displayed photos and artifacts in Larchmont Village Hall, Town of Mamaroneck Center, and schools.

The project also chronicles the achievements and careers of outstanding residents of Larchmont who have contributed much to the understanding of Larchmont history through their work for the Larchmont Historical Society:

Dr. Judith Doolin Spikes, Larchmont Village Historian and President and Founding Trustee of the Larchmont Historical Society; Dr. James H. Levi, author, with his wife Constance, of the book The Way It Was: Picture Postcards of Old Larchmont; the late Bruce Allen, a founder of the Larchmont Historical Society and Larchmont historian; Joseph G.E. Hopkins, an editor at Charles Scribner & Sons, Larchmont historian, and lifetime achievement honoree of the Larchmont Historical Society.

Originally submitted by: Nita M. Lowey,Representative (18th District).

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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.