Dr. Ann Meyerson, nationally recognized guest curator of the Greenwich Historical Society’s exhibition: An American Odyssey: The Jewish Experience in Greenwich, will present the untold story of how a small population of Jewish immigrants had a profound impact on the cultural and economic vitality of Greenwich at the Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich, Inc. (RMA) meeting on February 21.
The meeting is at the First Presbyterian Church, 1 West Putnam Avenue at Lafayette Place, Greenwich, at 11 am and is free and open to the public.
Dr. Meyerson’s research for the Historical Society’s groundbreaking exhibition chronicles how six Jewish families settled in Greenwich and overcame periods of discrimination and restrictions on worship, employment and housing to ultimately shape the town’s thriving retail community and make their mark on generous philanthropy.
courtesy Greenwich Historical Society
Exhibition Draws Large Crowds
Since opening in November, the exhibition has drawn larger than anticipated crowds.
“It has been rewarding to see the warm response the community has given to this timely topic,” said Greenwich Historical Society Executive Director Debra Mecky. “Attendance at exhibitions and programs is practically double compared to similar shows, and requests continue to come in for Dr. Meyerson to address community organizations in Greenwich and Stamford.”
The exhibition is on display at the Historical Society through April 15, 2018. A handsome, illustrated 40-page catalog will provide a permanent record once the exhibition ends April 15th. Catalogs are $17 members/$20 non-members and may be ordered at greenwichhistory.org/odyssey or by calling 203.869.6899.
Dr. Ann Meyerson has an extensive background in Jewish history in America. Prior to the Historical Society exhibition, she curated The First Jewish Americans: Freedom and Culture in the New World (October 28, 2016 to February 26, 2017) and With Firmness in the Right: Lincoln and the Jews (March 20 to June 7, 2015) at the New-York Historical Society.
From 2007 – 2009, she curated the 22,000-square-foot core exhibition at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, during its design development phase, which explores 350 years of U.S. history through the lens of American Jews.
The Greenwich Historical Society was founded in 1931 to collect and chronicle the unique and colorful history of Greenwich, Connecticut. The circa 1730 National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House, which began life as a home for prosperous merchants and gained recognition later as the site of the first American Impressionist art colony in Connecticut, is open to the public as a museum. The Greenwich Historical Society operates a museum gallery with rotating exhibitions, educates thousands of school children annually, and produces a full calendar of programs and events that connect residents with the town’s history. The Historical Society has embarked on a major capital campaign to advance its mission and secure its future at the forefront of America’s historical institutions. A dynamic campus transformation is underway that will accommodate more visitors, expanded programmatic initiatives and an increased endowment. The newly imagined campus will be completed in fall 2018.