“City of Glass: The History of Rose Hill Nurseries”

In the Lumen Winter Gallery (during regular library hours)

This richly illustrated exhibit traces the history of the nationally renowned nursery that blossomed in New Rochelle in the latter part of the 19th century. Henry Siebrecht's Rose Hill Nurseries stretched for acres, from North Avenue to the Hutchinson River, with rows and rows of greenhouses, arboretums, lush beds of flowers, plants, and trees. The "City of Glass", as it has been called, lured Manhattan socialites and celebrities, and it furnished home landscapes in the premier suburb that was New Rochelle.
 

The story is told by Andi Stix, who created this exhibit based on a personal quest to learn more about their family’s home on Rose Hill Avenue in New Rochelle. Her interest was piqued as an educator, artist, and author of historical simulations. "After first digging up an incredible amount of glass shards on my property, I was compelled to delve even deeper into Rose Hill Nurseries," said Ms. Stix. “The City of Glass” exhibit portrays her journey of gathering archival images of maps, catalogs, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other visual treasures that uncover our community’s history.