The East Bronx History Forum (EBHF) is pleased to announce its 193rd meeting on Wednesday, March 19th at 7:30 pm in the lower level of St. Clare of Assisi Church, located at 1027 Rhinelander Avenue. Parking is free and just north of the entrance on Paulding Avenue. This month’s topic will be on Freedomland Theme Park, which was located in present-day Co-Op City. The lecture is brought to us by public relations expert and author Mike Virgintino.
Mike Virgintino began his communications career as a broadcast journalist and held various positions as a marketing communications executive directing corporate, nonprofit and product branding initiatives. Mike is also an historian who writes about diverse topics and provides communication services for historical sites and organizations. He is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History and Freedomland U.S.A: More Definitive History about the New York City theme park from the 1960s that was known as the “Disneyland of the East.” Published by Theme Park Press, the books can be found through many online retailers.
This is Mike’s third Freedomland presentation at the East Bronx History Forum, “Freedomland U.S.A. Through The Professional Camera Lens,” will feature recently discovered professional photography and film that have not been seen for more than six decades. Freedomland’s debut on June 19, 1960 occurred 65 years ago.
The first part of the presentation places the spotlight on some of the photos from the Arthur Pomerantz Freedomland U.S.A. Collection. A staff photographer and assignment editor for the New York Post and other New York City newspapers from the late 1950s through the 1990s, Arthur Pomerantz also was a freelance staff photographer at Freedomland. His collection includes prints and negatives from the park’s Preview Day and other park activities. The photos include aerial views, celebrities and attractions.
The second part of the presentation is a broadcast film which was hosted by Sonny Fox from Wonderama fame, that never appeared on television. During the opening season, a pilot episode was created along with a message for sponsors. The setting, according to newspaper articles, will allow Sonny “to point to various eras of American history for the benefit of the young at home and on location.” The show never progressed beyond this initial taping that recently was discovered in its original broadcast tape format.
The entrance to this free event is on Paulding Avenue in Msgr. Joseph Raimondo Hall. The EBHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit chartered by the New York State Education Department. Donations are always accepted and can be made through our website BronxNYC.com. Additionally, remember to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages for the most current updates or information. We look forward to seeing you.
The East Bronx History Forum (EBHF) is pleased to announce its 193rd meeting on Wednesday, March 19th at 7:30 pm in the lower level of St. Clare of Assisi Church, located at 1027 Rhinelander Avenue. Parking is free and just north of the entrance on Paulding Avenue. This month’s topic will be on Freedomland Theme Park, which was located in present-day Co-Op City. The lecture is brought to us by public relations expert and author Mike Virgintino.
Mike Virgintino began his communications career as a broadcast journalist and held various positions as a marketing communications executive directing corporate, nonprofit and product branding initiatives. Mike is also an historian who writes about diverse topics and provides communication services for historical sites and organizations. He is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History and Freedomland U.S.A: More Definitive History about the New York City theme park from the 1960s that was known as the “Disneyland of the East.” Published by Theme Park Press, the books can be found through many online retailers.
This is Mike’s third Freedomland presentation at the East Bronx History Forum, “Freedomland U.S.A. Through The Professional Camera Lens,” will feature recently discovered professional photography and film that have not been seen for more than six decades. Freedomland’s debut on June 19, 1960 occurred 65 years ago.
The first part of the presentation places the spotlight on some of the photos from the Arthur Pomerantz Freedomland U.S.A. Collection. A staff photographer and assignment editor for the New York Post and other New York City newspapers from the late 1950s through the 1990s, Arthur Pomerantz also was a freelance staff photographer at Freedomland. His collection includes prints and negatives from the park’s Preview Day and other park activities. The photos include aerial views, celebrities and attractions.
The second part of the presentation is a broadcast film which was hosted by Sonny Fox from Wonderama fame, that never appeared on television. During the opening season, a pilot episode was created along with a message for sponsors. The setting, according to newspaper articles, will allow Sonny “to point to various eras of American history for the benefit of the young at home and on location.” The show never progressed beyond this initial taping that recently was discovered in its original broadcast tape format.
The entrance to this free event is on Paulding Avenue in Msgr. Joseph Raimondo Hall. The EBHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit chartered by the New York State Education Department. Donations are always accepted and can be made through our website BronxNYC.com. Additionally, remember to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages for the most current updates or information. We look forward to seeing you.
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