When we think about where one can hear world class music, some distinctive places come to mind like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, or even Great Performances on PBS. But before these venues, there was the historic Lewisohn Stadium on the campus of City College, a vital space for the city’s diverse communities. This lecture will highlight the stadium’s cultural and historical significance as a hub for major music performances for 50 years, as well as sports events and public gatherings. We will explore its architectural features, decline, and the efforts to preserve its legacy, underscoring the lasting impact of public spaces on urban identity and community life.

About the presenter: Former judge Walter Schwartz has served as the Ardsley Village Historian, a longtime Village Justice in Westchester, and member of the Board of Trustees for the Westchester County Historical Society. He has authored articles on local history in the Westchester Historian among other publications, and has spoken to historical societies in Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Greenburgh, and Briarcliff. Walter is an enthusiastic member of the JCC and lives in White Plains with his family.