The DiNunzio Collection

of Chester Park Photographs

circa 1892

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Click thumbnails to see enlargements

"Main Entrance - Taken from Central Avenue"

"Steps Leading Up to the Public Green."

"View of Public Green from Maple Avenue."

"View from Public Green Looking to Main Entrance."

"Fountain in Centre of Public Green."

"View of Water Tower Taken from Public Green."

"'The Homestead,' Residence of Wm. T. Standen."

"View Taken in Front of 'The Homestead.'"

Advertisement for "choice villa sites."

Captions are originals that accompanied the photographs.

The eight historic photographs of Chester Park shown here were taken in 1892 to promote a new residential development on farm land owned by William T. Standen. The collection is named for Michael and Pearl DiNunzio of 1 Chestnut Ave., active members of Chester Park who owned the photographs for nearly fifty years.

The Chester Park Association first learned of the pictures’ existence last September 20, 2005, when former Chestnut Ave. resident Kurt Tolksdorf sent an email to CPA President Joseph Vorel:

Dear Mr. Vorel,

Many years ago I was a resident of the Park at 23 Chestnut Avenue. Last year I was visiting and met Mrs. Pearl DiNunzio, also of Chestnut, near Willow, and happened to ask if she still had a framed set of photographs from the Standen era circa 1890. She said she did, but that they had yellowed a bit. The photos showed the original condition of the Park with the beautiful brass pots by the Steps and the splendid fountain at the Circle. Perhaps Mrs. DiNunzio could be persuaded to loan you the framed photos so that you could scan them for the website. It's been 45 years since I saw them but I still remember they were quite special.

Best regards,
Kurt Tolksdor

CPA Treasurer Michael Mackay followed up with a visit to Pearl last December, but Pearl was unable to locate the pictures at that time. Subsequent to Pearl’s death in early 2006, news arrived via neighbors and friends that the photographs had surfaced – unframed – in the DiNunzio’s basement. Their historical significance was immediately recognized. After several consultations with Pearl’s children, it was decided the original posterboard containing the eight photographs and an advertisement for Chester Park lots would be donated to the Town Historical Collection. Michael was given access to the photographs so copies could be made for the CPA’s archives. 

An enthusiastic “Thank you” is owed to Gloria Menna of “Rare Essentials” and Art Scinta of Houlihan/Lawrence Realty for working independently with the DiNunzio family to insure these images were not lost. Sincere thanks also go to Jean Carlson and Nigel Scott-Williams for following up with the CPA during settlement of the DiNunzios' estate.

About the photographs: The original pictures in this collection are approximately 7.5 by 4.5 inches and were printed on albumen paper, a process popular up until the late 1890’s. Unfortunately, albumen prints are susceptible to fading, cracking and mildewing over time. The extensively-restored pictures shown here were made from digital copies of the original photographs. Unrestored versions are available by clicking on the enlargement on each page. Links to high-resolution copies of both the original and restored pictures are also provided.  Some pages include a link to a contemporary photograph of the same view, documenting a few of the changes brought on in the past 114 years.

 

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