Category Archives: history

Honoring My Grandfather, A Victim Of The 1918 Flu and Comparisons To Today

Posted on 01/05/2020 by John G. Testa

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many to look back to a time in our history when a similar world-wide outbreak occurred, the Spanish Influenza of 1918. For my family, this period in history has always been a poignant subject since … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged 1918, COVID-19, Elks, immigrant, Italian, John Testa, K of C, Louis Testa, pandemic, Peekskill NY, PMA, Post Office, Spanish Flu, The Highland Democrat, vaccine, Westchester County NY, WWI | 2 Comments

The Hudson Valley Gateway Region: Verplanck’s Big Time Role in the American Revolution

Posted on 19/06/2019 by John G. Testa

Thank you to the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce for once again asking me to submit this piece about the importance of local history in their 2019-20 Annual Member Directory:

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged American Revolution, Cortlandt Manor NY, Fidelity Medallion, George Washington, history, Issac Van Wart, John Paulding, John Testa, L'Enfant, Major Andre, Paradise Restaurant, Peekskill NY, Rochambeau, Verplanck NY, West Point | Leave a comment

The Hudson Valley Gateway Region: The Cradle of America

Posted on 31/10/2018 by John G. Testa

Thank you to the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce for asking me to submit this piece about the importance of local history in their 2018-19 Annual Member Booklet:

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged Abraham Lincoln, American Revolution, Beecher, Camp Smith, cast iron, Crayola Crayons, Depew, Fleischmann Company, history, Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber, Hudson Valley NY, industry, John Testa, local history, New York Central Railroad, NY Jets, Peekskill Military Academy, Peekskill NY, PMA, Pomeroy, Pugsley, US Civil War, West Point | 1 Comment

Independence Day!

Posted on 29/06/2018 by John G. Testa

Below is an article I was asked to write for the Cortlandt Living Magazine July 2018 edition. They wanted a short piece showing some of the important events associated with July 4th other than being Independence Day, especially local connections. … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged 4th of July, Buchanan NY, Chauncey Depew, Civil War, Cortlandt Living Magazine, Cortlandt Manor NY, Fourth of July, George Washington, history, holiday, Independence Day, James Monroe, John Adama, John Testa, Mohegan Lake NY, Montrose NY, Peekskill NY, Statue of Liberty, Thomas Jefferson, Verplanck NY, West Point, Westchester County NY, Yorktown Heights NY | 1 Comment

They Just Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore

Posted on 30/01/2018 by John G. Testa

Appreciating and collecting items from the past was instilled in me mostly by my father. Growing up, he would always point out objects that were handed down in the family and explain what it was and how it was used. … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged artifact, Ballou Baskets, Becket Historical Commission, Becket MA, historic preservation, history, John Testa, Joy Lennartz, Peekskill NY, Sandra Jarvis, Westchester County NY | 5 Comments

Abraham Lincoln and Walt Disney

Posted on 12/02/2017 by John G. Testa

Growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (and then The Wonderful World of Disney) was a staple every Sunday night on television. Every week we looked forward to Walt Disney himself introduce cartoons, historic … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged 1964, Abraham Lincoln, animatronics, Civil War, Disney World, Disneyland, Hall of Presidents, history, John Testa, Lincoln Depot Museum, Lincoln Society in Peekskill, NY Worlds Fair, Peekskill NY, Walt Disney, Westchester County NY | 1 Comment

Lincoln Depot Museum to Memorialize 150th Anniversary of President’s Death

Posted on 09/04/2015 by John G. Testa

Replica Coffin, Ceremonies, Lectures Will Take Place on Exact Date, Time Funeral Train Passed Peekskill 150 Years Ago. Event Will Take Place 1:00-4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday April 25th-26th At New Facility at 10 South Water Street, Peekskill, NY. For … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged Civil War, history, John Testa, Lincoln Depot Museum, Peekskill NY, Westchester County NY | Leave a comment

Chauncey Depew Statue Dedication 1918

Posted on 31/07/2014 by John G. Testa

On September 24, 1918 the statue of Chauncey M. Depew was unveiled in Depew Park, Peekskill, NY. Chauncey himself, who was 84 years old, was on hand to assist in the ceremony. The park was originally purchased from Native Americans … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged Chauncey M. Depew, Depew Park, James W. Husted, John Testa, Peekskill Military Academy, Peekskill NY, Westchester County | 4 Comments

Watch the latest OnTopic with John Testa show

Posted on 21/07/2014 by John G. Testa

Topics on this show include: New Mobile Command Vehicle for Peekskill and Northern Westchester, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley opens N. Westchester office, Anti-drug/heroin initiative established with Westchester County Police with Cortlandt, Peekskill and Yorktown, NY Knicks move D-League … Continue reading →

Posted in government, history, Uncategorized | Tagged Cortlandt Manor NY, Elks, government, John Testa, Lincoln Depot, Peekskill NY, Westchester County, westchester county board of legislators, Yorktown NY | Leave a comment

My Reflections on American Legion Boys’ State

Posted on 01/08/2013 by John G. Testa

Once again through the process of cleaning and sorting through boxes of saved items I came across a package of material from a very special experience I was fortunate to be a part of as a student at Peekskill High … Continue reading →