GSRC Presentation by Tom Riley SUBJECT - Happy Valley DATE: March 17M 2012 TIME: 1:30 pm PLACE: New City Library Auditorium ==========================================================TThe alumni of Happy Valley School in Pomona, NY celebrated its 100th Anniversary during a Centennial Reunion on February 18th, 2011. Happy Valley School was in existence from 1911 to 1974 but in the hearts of those who spent a portion of their childhood years there it lives on forever. Happy Valley School was an outgrowth of The Five Points of Industry which was established in the worst ghetto of New York City in 1854. How life was like there in the 19th Century can be seen in the motion picture, The Gangs of New York. During the 1911 Diphtheria Epidemic the Board of Trustees of the Five Points House felt they must get the impoverished children under their care out of New York City. A Board member, William Church Osborne who owned 311 acres in Pomona, NY donated the land to establish a home for neglected and abandoned children. Claude Boorum, a former Principal in the Garrison School System and friend of William Church Osborne, NY was appointed Superintendent of Happy Valley Colony. Boorum loved farming and cared deeply about children His boundless energy guided the establishment of Happy valley Colony for 20 years. When he left in 1931 over 155 children were residents and another 280 children were in Boarding homes. From the age of 7 to 17 I grew up at HV along with my brothers and a sister. We spent the 1950's there and it had a major impact on my life and on the lives of thousands of children who at one time or another called Happy Valley School home. Many of its children served ably in the cause of freedom and became pillars of their community. Mel Hancock, a former resident of HV is making a documentary about the history of Happy Valley School. We invite all our members and those who grew up there to attend this fascinating lecture presented by The Genealogical Society of Rockland County. Genealogical Society of Rockland County Programs are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Bob Protzmann Membership Chairman