The Ridgewood Historical Society is sponsoring a wonderful exhibit right now at its Schoolhouse Museum. All of the details are below. The exhibit, told through precious possessions of the Boyd-Mastin family of Ridgewood, was professionally curated and inhabits nearly all of the museum space. The focus of the exhibit is on the first generation and the period 1900 - 1920, though some items are as old as the 18th century. A slide show with narration is featured on the organization's website, www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org The Boyd-Mastin family lived at "Brooklawn", a landmark estate on Brookside Place. The museum is located at 650 E. Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, near Route 17; adjacent to Old Paramus Church and across the street from Valleau Cemetery. Read on for details and museum open hours: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sheila Brogan or Joy Hamburger Ridgewood Historical Society (201) 447-3242 director@ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org RIDGEWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY SPONSORS “FROM BELFAST TO BROOKLAWN: A RIDGEWOOD FAMILY ODYSSEY” EXHIBIT AT SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (September, 2008) – The Ridgewood Historical Society is sponsoring “FROM BELFAST TO BROOKLAWN: A Ridgewood Family Odyssey,” on display at the village’s Schoolhouse Museum through February 8, 2009. The exhibit shares the tales of Thomas Boyd and Grizella McCarroll Boyd, both first-generation Irish immigrants, who moved to Brookside Avenue, Ridgewood, in 1900. Curator Colette Marvin, of the Smithsonian Associates and Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington D.C. has donated her time to put this masterful and poignant exhibit together told through heirloom decorative objects, letters, photographs, journals and personal effects of the Boyd family. The exhibit tells the story of the Boyd family and their transatlantic voyage from Belfast, Ireland, living briefly in Brooklyn and then onto to their iconic Brookside Avenue home in Ridgewood, NJ. Upon their arrival, they established themselves as prominent citizens and important members of the community. The Boyd family, later their decendants the Mastins, would continue to occupy the house, known as Brooklawn, for almost 100 years, spanning over four generations. As keeper of the family’s history, the house served as central storage of the family heirlooms, and Marvin has been able to recreate the Boyd’s early years in the home, through the large quantity of artifacts left behind and saved for generations. “We are delighted to lend the Ridgewood Historical Society a collection of family heirlooms and artifacts that illustrate the deep tradition of community service the Boyd family started when they moved to 18 Brookside Avenue in 1900,” said Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Boyd Mastin. “Although the property changed much since my family sold the house in 1992, the generous spirit of family continues to endure and enrich the lives of the Ridgewood community.” “From Belfast to Brooklawn” is on display at The Schoolhouse Museum, 650 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, now through February 8, 2009. The exhibit is open to the public every Saturday from 1:00-3:00 PM, Sundays from 2:00-4:00PM and Thursdays from 1:00 to 3 PM. Suggested donation, adults $5, children $3, families $10. For more information call The Schoolhouse Museum (201) 447-3242 or please visit the web site "http://www.RidgewoodHistoricalSociety.org" www.RidgewoodHistoricalSociety.org. About The Ridgewood Historical Society The Schoolhouse was built in 1872 as one of the first public schools in Ridgewood. Today as a museum, it maintains a collection of artifacts representing the history, culture, and lives of ordinary people from Ridgewood and the surrounding area from the period of Native America to the early 20th century. The Ridgewood Historical Society operates the Museum and is committed to making history come alive for all who walk though the schoolhouse doors. ### © 2008 Ridgewood Historical Society