By: Sophia Lian (A Roslyn Landmark Society High School volunteer)
A memorial center for Henry Bergh (1813-1888), founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), in Gerry Park honors Bergh’s contributions to animal welfare in the United States. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, Bergh was instrumental in ensuring that animals would be protected from mistreatment. The ASPCA, as it is known today, is now a leading organization that fights for animal rights. However, in Bergh’s time, many did not respect his vision for change.
The memorial was funded by a trust fund put in place by former Roslyn resident Alice Hicks. George Robertson, who led the initiative for Roslyn Park, persuaded Hicks’s team to build the Henry Bergh Memorial in Roslyn Park instead of New York City as originally planned.
The memorial was built on top of a bridge on Paper Mill Road in 1931. When completed, the Hicks Memorial Center was made of a seating area, a stone bridge, and a bronze plaque created by sculptor David Evans. Unfortunately, the plaque that honored Bergh was stolen some time before 1990. The Gerry Charitable Trust awarded the Town of North Hempstead a $25,000 grant to have a replica of the original Bergh plaque created in 2017, which the Town of North Hempstead plans to reinstall once a restoration of the memorial center is complete.
Sources:
Kiter, Tammy. “Henry Bergh: Angel in Top Hat or the Great Meddler?” New-York Historical Society Museum & Library, March 21, 2012. https://www.nyhistory.org/blog.....
Morris, Clara. “Full Title Name: Riddle of the Nineteenth Century: Mr. Henry Bergh.” Animal Law Legal Center, January 1, 1970. https://www.animallaw.info/art...
“Hicks Memorial Centre, Gerry Park: Profiles: Roslyn Landmark Society.” Hicks Memorial Centre, Gerry Park | Profiles | Roslyn Landmark Society, December 29, 1969. https://www.roslynlandmarks.or.....
2 Comments
We think these things only happen in our country (which is less developed): mistreatment of animals, children, women, and the elderly; theft or robbery of plaques and/or monuments; fraud involving associations and societies; but when we learn that this happens all over the world, we reflect on how bad human beings can be, regardless of social class!... But, thank God, there are people like Henry Bergh (ASPCA) and Elbridge Thomas Gerry (SPCC) and those who recognize and honor compassionate people around the world, to make us believe that we can still place our trust in humanity! Congratulations! (JF/MG/BR)
We think these things only happen in our country (which is less developed): mistreatment of animals, children, women, and the elderly; theft or robbery of plaques and/or monuments; fraud involving associations and societies; but when we learn that this happens all over the world, we reflect on how bad human beings can be, regardless of social class!... But, thank God, there are people like Henry Bergh (ASPCA) and Elbridge Thomas Gerry (SPCC) and those who recognize and honor compassionate people around the world, to make us believe that we can still place our trust in humanity! Congratulations! (JF/MG/BR)