Images of Modern America

Kings Park Psychiatric Center, or “the Psych Center” as it is known locally, was unique for its time, as its focus was on patient care and making the hospital as “homelike” as possible.

The facility was made up of a series of smaller buildings to give the feeling of community to the patients and staff alike, and both men and women were treated fairly and humanely. Long Island was home to many immigrants, some of whom had difficulty adjusting to life in the United States. This unique population led to interesting personal stories of those who worked at this facility, those who were institutionalized, and their families. The authors took the time to listen to their stories and endeavored to understand their pasts and recognize how these events continue to influence the mental-health industry today. Pictured throughout are the physical relics of the now-abandoned Psych Center, where these stories unfurled.

To demonstrate the special place Italian immigrants hold in the city of New York to this day, readers will experience a visual tour of their traditions and landmarks.

New York City’s five boroughs have been home to more Italian immigrants than any other place in America. Over the last 140 years, scores of Italian neighborhoods have spanned Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx. These communities preserve their heritage by celebrating special events and feasts, such as Manhattan’s 130-year-old Feast of St. Rocco, the Dance of the Giglio in East Harlem and Williamsburg, and saint processions for Padre Pio and Maria Addolorata; maintaining famous Mulberry Street storefronts and the Arthur Avenue Market in Little Italy, as well as popular bakeries and restaurants in Greenwich Village and Queens; and supporting and worshipping at notable Italian churches, like Brooklyn’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine Church and Alba House, a religious bookstore on Staten Island.

During the mid-20th century, the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York, began a journey that transformed a traditional, agriculturally based fair into the largest independent county fair and exposition in the United States. As the number of fair days and exhibits expanded, so did the number of fairgoers, increasing gate attendance figures to over one million visitors annually. While fair traditions have provided continuity over the decades, the fair continues to evolve and renew itself through improvements to the fairgrounds, the addition of unique attractions, and an ongoing commitment to agriculture. Erie County Fair showcases the many dramatic changes that have taken place during the modern era of this fair. From the thrills of the midway and entertainment to nationally recognized agricultural, creative arts, and livestock competitions, the fair's history comes alive through color photographs from the archives of the Erie County Agricultural Society.

Freedomland opened on June 19, 1960, in the Baychester section of the Bronx, New York. Historically themed attractions and costumed cast members were located throughout the seven sections.

Designed by Marco Engineering of Los Angeles for International Recreation Corporation, it was the third and largest innovative theme park built across America to mimic Disneyland. Constructed in the shape of the United States and presenting 200 years of American history, Freedomland was intended to be both exciting and educational. In addition, Freedomland offered national and local stars, big bands, and daily entertainment events. Professional character actors also worked throughout the park. Through photographs, Freedomland: 1960-1964 takes a tour of all seven sections of Freedomland and more. Although it was open for just five seasons, the park's guests and cast members were fortunate to have their very own "Disneyland of the East."

West Brighton has come a long way from its 19th-century name of "Factoryville" and has evolved into a wonderful residential community on the north shore of Staten Island. Today, West Brighton remains a place of family-owned and -operated businesses and churches that have surpassed the century mark. It retains the spirit of what Staten Island once was, while continuing to grow alongside the rapidly changing times. The most enduring characteristic about West Brighton is its people, the generations that have chosen to live and raise their families here. They have celebrated milestones and achievements, such as being elected borough president of Staten Island, which was accomplished by native West Brighton residents Anthony R. Gaeta and Ralph J. Lamberti.

The Greater Binghamton area's undulating history mirrors that of its terrain. The area has evolved from a transportation center to a hub of manufacturing and technology and, with the expansion of Binghamton University and SUNY Broome Community College, a growing center of erudition. First, canal boats and trains dominated the landscape, then, cigars were produced in abundance, followed by shoes, simulators, and computers. Now, with Binghamton University expanding into downtown, student housing, breweries, and eateries fill Binghamton's streets. The area has earned the monikers Parlor City, Carousel Capital of the World, Sports Mecca, and the City of Festivals. Binghamton's cultural legacy is rich; besides being the home of professional baseball, bicycling, golf, hockey, running, and tennis, Binghamton's annual celebrations have included Mural Fest, July Fest, Spiedie Fest, and Luma Fest.

Since 1962, Adventureland has been entertaining and thrilling the Long Island community. The park was constructed in a rural area of Suffolk County around the time of a suburban boom eastward on Long Island, which brought enormous population growth in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Since its opening, the park has seen significant change, with numerous rides and attractions being moved or retired to make way for newer attractions. Published here are images of the park throughout its entire history, many of which have never been seen by the public before. Adventureland shares early lost attractions and retired fan favorites in full living color, allowing both the young and the young at heart to remember the park in all of its stages, from opening to today.

The birth of Fire Island's modern era may well be the day it was declared a national seashore--September 11, 1964. From this day on, the barrier island would remain forever persevered under custody of the National Park Service. Today, automobiles are the exception, not the rule, thanks to men and women who fought to prevent a paved highway from being constructed on the barrier island over 50 years ago. The island's culture has always embraced its own distinct path. Fire Island's maritime roots are still evident and alternate lifestyles flourish, while the simple and mundane pleasures of a beautiful day at the beach remain intact. Fire Island continues to spark the imagination of tourists, vacationers, and residents alike who revel in the beauty of this unique place. Today, Fire Island is so many things to so many people.

Glen Cove, the only city located on Long Island's Gold Coast, has long been reinventing itself. After World War II, the farms and estates in the area gave way to suburban development. Modern advancements like the zoom lens, the dimmer switch, and X-ray technologies were all developed within the city limits, while factories on the creek supplied the world with carbon paper, typewriter ribbons, and graphic arts film and cameras. Albert Einstein, Nikita Khrushchev, and the Kennedy families stayed in the community, and stars of stage and screen performed about town. In 1968, Glen Cove celebrated its tricentennial. It was followed by urban renewal and the rebuilding of the old downtown. In the final years of the 20th century, the industrial era ended, and under the auspices of Mayor Thomas Suozzi, environmental cleanup and waterfront revitalization began.

The New York State Pavilion is a legacy of the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. It is located in the southwest corner of Flushing Meadow Corona Park, where the Long Island Expressway crosses over the Grand Central Parkway. From these freeways alone, the pavilion is seen by hundreds of thousands of motorists per day and is a symbol of the Empire State, the "Eiffel Tower of Queens." From the observation towers that offer spectacular views of Queens and beyond; to the expansive Tent of Tomorrow, which showcased the world's largest map (of New York State); to the stunning Queens Theatre in the Park, New York State Pavilion is an insightful look at this iconic landmark, with many spectacular historic color photographs, published here for the first time.

Professional golf came to Broome County in 1971 as the Broome County Open, a one-day event. By 1973, it had become a four-day stop on the PGA Tour called the B.C. Open. Over the next three decades, it hosted such luminaries of the links as Lee Trevino, Tiger Woods, and Fuzzy Zoeller, while national icons like Bob Hope, Mickey Mantle, and Johnny Hart played in various Pro-Am tournaments. The Dick's Sporting Goods Open began in 2007 as part of the Champions Tour. The sporting goods company got its start in the neighboring city of Binghamton, the hometown of founder Richard "Dick" Stack, making it a natural choice as primary sponsor. The biggest attraction besides golf is the annual Concert on the Green when the 18th green is converted to a stage. Among the major recording artists who have performed are Tim McGraw and the Zac Brown Band.

While unknown to many living in western New York, the Kevin Guest House has served thousands of critically ill individuals and their families for over 40 years. Quietly nestled within the expanding Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus of Buffalo, New York, the demand for the facility continues to increase. The opening chapter is a testimony to the Speyser-Beer family, who originally owned the property. The second and third chapters memorialize the founders of the Kevin Guest House, the Garvey family of Sharon, Pennsylvania. The remaining chapters provide a virtual tour of the grounds and building expansions of 2016.