[info]59 years ago today, Governor Averell Harriman and Actress Helen Hayes joined the mayors of Nyack, South Nyack, Suffern and Tarrytown and a motorcade of 400 cars to dedicate the new Tappan Zee Bridge. “Nyack and the surrounding area assumes its position on the ‘Main Street of the Empire State’ today and the new Thruway bridge brings it within easy commuting range of metropolitan New York,” said NYS Thruway Chairman Bertam D. Tallamy. He was evasive about the name — because it wasn’t officially named the Tappan Zee Bridge until two months after the dedication.

“Just in case you hadn’t noticed, [this event] was probably one of the most important days in the history of Rockland County,” wrote Don Klein, a columnist for the Rockland Journal News on Dec 13, 1955. “No longer will Rockland be that practically isolated county on the other side of the Hudson River from Westchester, only accessible by archaic ferry lines. Now one can ride to and from Rockland County on the newest and possibly most modern highway in the world,” he said.

G. Winthrop Welles, the Executive Secretary of the the Chamber of Commerce of the Nyacks, made a presentation to the governor. The Nyack High School Band provided the music marking the momentous occasion. Click to see the official program from the dedication ceremony.

Not everyone was so enthusiastic. A photo from the day captured a protest by more than a dozen women carrying signs that said, “SAVE OUR VILLAGES! The NY Times gave the protesters equal time in its lead sentence in the article covering the dedication: “16 friendly pickets joined Governor Harriman yesterday in dedicating the $60 million Thruway bridge linking Rockland and Westchester Counties.” A related effort by a group called the “Committee to Save the Villages” was successful in helping to defeat an initiative to connect the NJ Turnpike with the NY Thruway cutting through Palisades, Piermont and Grand View, NY. Although the NJ Turnpike extension was never built, it’s legacy is still with us: it’s why NYS Thruway Interchange 10 takes West bound vehicles in a complete circle past the South Nyack exit before leaving the Thruway.

It only cost 50 cents to drive across the Hudson between Nyack and Tarrytown in 1955. It’s ten times that today, but still a bargain compared to the GWB. At least for the time being.

If you want to relive the excitement of the birth of the original Tappan Zee Bridge in glorious black and white, there’s promotional video on YouTube from the New York State Archives:

“The NYS Thruway, the superhighway of the great Empire State, is extended another 28 miles from Suffern and Yonkers. The most spectaular project of the thruway is the three mile bridge spanning the historic Tappan Zee section of the Hudson River between Tarrytown and Nyack. This is the largest bridge of its type in the world. It has over two acres of pavement spread over six wide lanes — three in each direction.”

Want to know more about Nyack’s rich local history? Visit the Local History room at the Nyack Library.

Here’s the week at a glance

at the Nyack Library. Monday Shakespeare Discussion Group, 4 – 5:30p

FREE Assistance with

NYS Health Insurance Programs, 5p Tuesday Cuentos, Canciones y Artesania, 1p

Tuesday at Two Film Series: “This Christmas,” 2p Wednesday Blood Drive – American Red Cross, 11:30a – 4:30p

Make Beautiful Holiday Mint Treats, 7p Thursday Introduction to the Internet, 1:30p Friday Toddler Time, 11-11:30a

Carnegie Concert Series, 7p, Sing We Enchanted Saturday Carnegie Concert Series, 7:30p, String Quartets

Carnegie Concerts Series

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Sing We Enchanted, Fri at 7p (12/19)

Westchester-based a capella vocal ensemble Sing We Enchanted performs “An Elizabethan Christmas: Early Songs & Carols” on Fri in the Carnegie-Farian Room of the Nyack Library. The program includes sacred and secular carols by Praetorius, Victoria and Byrd, spirited madrigals by Thomas Morley, and other traditional 19th century English carol arrangements by Parker, Shaw and Rutter, among others.

Now in its 21st season, Sing We Enchanted’s repertoire includes early music, sacred and secular works in a variety of languages and contemporary American and English selections a capella.

Advance discounted tickets are available at the link below. At the door, general admission: $25, students/seniors: $18 and members: $15. Tickets and more info at CarnegieConcerts.org.

String Quartets, Sat at 7p (12/20)

One of the most popular melodies ever composed, Rachmaninoff’s irresistible Vocalise will be performed as well as the rarely performed string quartets and early works for cello/violin and piano. Vocalise for cello and piano, Op.3 Two pieces for cello and piano, Op.2 String Quartet No.1 in G minor Two pieces for violin and piano, Op.6 String Quartet No.2 in G minor Joana Genova, Violin / Regi Papa, violin / Benjamin Capps, cello Yashar Yaslowitz, piano.

In Advance: $20 Adult, $18 Seniors & Students, $15 member at the Door: $25. Tickets and more info at CarnegieConcerts.org.

Photo Credit: Nyack Library Collection at HVRH.org

Video: NY State Archives via YouTube.com

See also:

Did You Know comes to you each Monday on NyackNewAndViews, sponsored by the Nyack Library. Have a question or a fun fact you want to know? We’re looking for suggestions for our weekly Did You Know fact. Write to info@NyackNewsAndViews with your suggestions.

Official Program celebrating the New York State Thruway Opening