Seymour Schwartz, Clip 2: Becoming Briarwood

Collection: Queens Memory Collection at the Archives at Queens Library: Seymour Schwartz

Date: Time Period: 1953 - 2015; 2015-10-16; Interview recorded: October 16 2015 Material: Digital audio recording made using a digital recorder and Adobe Soundbooth. Dimension: Total running time: 0:03:43

Creator: Seymour Schwartz interviewed by Anna Lacson Identifier: aql:22122 schwartz-seymour-clip2

Description: It took Seymour Schwartz 14 years to change the subway station name to “Briarwood.” He approached everyone, from City Council members to the Department of Transportation to the State Senate. “Briarwood/Van Wyck Boulevard” was a misnomer that confused commuters. “There were two Van Wyck stations – one on the E line and one on the F line. There never was a Van Wyck Boulevard.” Even the conductor announces “Briarwood” now. Queens is unique in the sense that it is the only borough where the post office recognizes individual community names – mail is not addressed “Queens, NY,” they are addressed “Elmont, NY,” etc. When you talk about capital and expense priorities beginning at the community board level, if you are not recognized as an equal community, you don’t get your priorities in the mix of requests. Briarwood gets its turn because it has representation and recognition.

Title : Seymour Schwartz, Clip 2: Becoming Briarwood

Collection : aql:20455; aql:22196

Creator : Seymour Schwartz interviewed by Anna Lacson

Date : Time Period: 1953 - 2015; 2015-10-16; Interview recorded: October 16 2015

Summary/Description : It took Seymour Schwartz 14 years to change the subway station name to “Briarwood.” He approached everyone, from City Council members to the Department of Transportation to the State Senate. “Briarwood/Van Wyck Boulevard” was a misnomer that confused commuters. “There were two Van Wyck stations – one on the E line and one on the F line. There never was a Van Wyck Boulevard.” Even the conductor announces “Briarwood” now. Queens is unique in the sense that it is the only borough where the post office recognizes individual community names – mail is not addressed “Queens, NY,” they are addressed “Elmont, NY,” etc. When you talk about capital and expense priorities beginning at the community board level, if you are not recognized as an equal community, you don’t get your priorities in the mix of requests. Briarwood gets its turn because it has representation and recognition.

Subject : Neighborhoods

Relation : Queens Memory Collection at the Archives at Queens Library: Seymour Schwartz

Rights : Contact digitalarchives@queenslibrary.org for research and reproduction requests.

Coverage : Locations discussed: Briarwood, Queens, NY Briarwood (New York, N.Y.) Queens (New York, N.Y.)

Type : Oral history

Format : Digital audio recording made using a digital recorder and Adobe Soundbooth.; Total running time: 0:03:43

Identifier : aql:22122 schwartz-seymour-clip2