The Rochelle Heights Historic District has been an integral part of New Rochelle's history since it's design and creation in 1905. Once you pass through the Hamilton Avenue pillars, the homes in Rochelle Heights, and the painstaking preservation of their style, makes you feel as though you are stepping back in time. Maintaining and preserving such a wonderful piece of history however is not easy, and this is why we, The Rochelle Heights Association (RHA), are seeking your assistance to help protect this wonderful piece of history from decline.

 

Rochelle Heights families take long walks and children play on the Tennis Island that is filled with trees over 100 years old. Our cherry trees are a sight to behold in the spring! The annual New Rochelle Turkey Trot participants run on our streets and are greeted with exceptional scenery and neighborly enthusiasm.

 

It was home to many truly amazing historical figures, including civil rights activists, musicians and actors, such as Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. In the 1960’s Ms. Dee and Mr. Davis were instrumental in integrating the neighborhood and creating the culturally and racially rich community we have today. They even collaborated with their neighbor, Mr. William Branch, a decorated playwright, television writer, producer and actor, on the PBS TV series, “A Letter from Booker T.” Rochelle Heights was often visited by the likes of Duke Ellington and a preferred jogging path for New Rochelle’s own Richard Roundtree, better known as Shaft.

 

Maintaining the history of this majestic area comes at a heavy cost and relies on strong neighborhood volunteer participation. Through these means we have been able to keep up general maintenance, however it is still not enough for restoration and improvements.

 

The RHA has developed a plan to restore the Tennis and Cherry Tree Islands to their former glory. The work will be completed in three phases and hopefully, with your help, finished in 2022. We plan to add elements for a safer and more enjoyable experience for all those that visit this area including, leveling the Tennis Island to make for a safer playing environment, restoring the original diagonal stone path, planting additional cherry trees, creating a walking path, and installing benches to provide a place to sit and take in the surroundings..

 

Please consider donating to the Rochelle Heights Restoration and Beautification fund so we can continue to preserve and maintain a truly important and indispensable part of New Rochelle's history. By donating, you will be a part of this amazing piece of history and we hope you will come to visit our neighborhood and see how your assistance has helped to improve this amazing place.

Thank you.