Readings From Roosevelt Island's Past - Stories From the Penitentiary, Hospital, Almshouse and Nursing School Presented by Roosevelt Island Historical Society and Public Library Starting Tonight

You Tube Video of Blackwells (Roosevelt) Island in1903

According to this You Tube post from Tiger Rocket:

... This film was photographed from a boat heading south along the eastern shore of Blackwell's Island known as Welfare Island from 1921 to 1973, and as Roosevelt Island today...  The film opens showing the lighthouse at the north end of the island (Hallet's Cove). As the boat enters the east channel of the river, the stacks of a large brewery in Yorkville on Manhattan are visible in the distance.... The camera pans along the island's granite seawall (built by inmates of the Penitentiary and Workhouse) and the following buildings, in order of appearance, are seen: the New York City Lunatic Asylum [0:39]; the Workhouse; the Almshouse [0:45]; piers for the Queensboro or '59th Street' Bridge still under construction, which upon completion in 1908 will span 135 feet above the island [1:20]; the Almshouse Keeper's House (originally the home of the Blackwell family, who had once owned the island) [1:30]; the Penitentiary [1:45]; Charity Hospital [1:55]. The film ends before reaching the southern tip of the island.

If you are interested in learning more about life on Blackwells (Roosevelt) Island, this invitation from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society  may be of interest:

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society In Conjunction with

The New York Public Library-Roosevelt Island Branch Present

“Reading from Our Island”

Through the years the RIHS has collected all manner of writings that were created by residents of our prisons, hospitals, staff, physicians, administrators and others. Join us for three evenings of readings from these works, most of which have never been publically read before.

Image of Blackwells (Roosevelt) Island Penitentiary From NYPL Digital Gallery

Tuesday, May 24

Readings from the Hospitals & the Penitentiary
Letters and recollections from physicians, nurses and other staff that worked and sometimes lived on the Island. Penitentiary news with readings from the prison published newspaper. Famed anarchist Emma Goldman, who while incarcerated on the Island in 1896 was taught to become a nurse.

Image of Blackwells (Roosevelt Island) Alms House From NYPL Digital Gallery

Tuesday, June 7 - Letters from the Almshouse

Correspondence from families searching for family members who had been confined on the island. The story of the almshouse administrator who absconded with City funds.

Image of Blackwells (Roosevelt) Island From NYPL Digital Gallery

Tuesday, June 28 - Stories from Nursing Schools

Letters, notes and memoirs from Nursing school students at The New York Training School for Nursing, Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing and Central School of Practical Nursing. This Program is an introduction of a photo exhibit on the subject opening in July, 2011.

All programs will take place at the New York Public Library-Roosevelt Island Branch, 524 Main Street from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

More historical images of Blackwells (Roosevelt) Island from the NYPL Digital Gallery here.