Back in May of this year I posted about my town’s oriental stone lanterns. (See: Around the Neighborhood – Briarcliff Manor’s stone lanterns.). Well, on Tuesday 20 September 2022 the town finally got around to the official ceremony to welcome one of these lanterns to our town park, Law Park: one of the original lanterns from Walter Law’s personal collection. The lantern was given to the town by Susan Sears and Greg Sundberg. It had been sitting on their property for many years. I had a couple of questions for town historian, Kaaren Smith. First, are lanterns Japanese or Chinese (or from somewhere else)? I was told that they were originally Japanese but came via China. How did they get to Briarcliff Manor? According to Kaaren the prevailing opinion is that they were brought by missionaries. However, she had come to realize that this may not be the case. She believes that, based on evidence she has discovered, the lanterns were brought back by members of the Law family who spent some time in China.
Mayor Steven A. Vescio introduces Kaaren Smith the town historian.
Kaaren Smith provides information on the origins and history of the lantern.
The unveiling of the commemorative plaque.
Mayor Vescio introduces Philip E. Zegarelli (town manager from 2009-2021 and out of frame to the left) to whom the lantern is dedicated.
Mr. Zegarelli speaks.
Kaaren Smith, Town Historian.
The lantern with the library in the background.
The lantern and its commemorative plaque.
The plaque.
Taken with a Sony A7IV and Rokinon AF 24-70 f2.8 FE