Photos From Early History Of Roosevelt Island - You're Invited To RIHS Opening Reception For Exhibition Of Reverend Oliver Chapin Collection Wednesday August 31 At Octagon Gallery

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society reports:

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society Invites You to a Reception for the Exhibit

The Chapin Collection:
Photographs Assembled by Reverend Oliver Chapin at Octagon Gallery, 888 Main Street Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 6 pm - 8 pm

The exhibit, currently open, continues through September 1, 2016.

Reverend Oliver Chapin lived and worked on Roosevelt Island from 1964 until his death in 1999. He was the Protestant Chaplain at Coler Hospital until 1997 and the full-time Protestant Episcopal Vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd until 1999. During that time, Reverend Chapin amassed an extensive array of maps, books, photographs, and manuscripts about the island. As Roosevelt Island's first historian, he lead tours and gave lectures about island history. His collection forms the basis of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society's archives.

Metropolitan Hospital. The hospital occupied the facility vacated by the city asylum from 1894-1955. (Roosevelt Island Historical Society Archives)

Now, the RIHS is delighted to present a selection of Reverend Chapin's photographs. Most of the pictures in the collection depict Roosevelt (formerly Welfare) Island from the early years of the 20th century through the 1950s. The display includes images of the Roosevelt Island chapels and a photo of Mae West, who spent several days at the workhouse on Welfare Island.

The exhibit opened on August 6 and will continue at the Octagon gallery through Thursday, September 1. Please join the Roosevelt Island Historical Society for a reception on Wednesday, August 31 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

The reception and show are FREE and open to the public.

DIRECTIONS: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue or the F train to Roosevelt Island. After leaving either the tram or the subway station, take the Roosevelt Island red bus north to the last stop. Walk a few steps to the Octagon.

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society thanks Bozzuto Management and RIVAA for the use of the Octagon Gallery.