Yonkers revealed!

"Show Me a Hero,” the recently released HBO miniseries about race and politics in Yonkers, has put an unusual spotlight on our neighbors just to the north. “Hidden Yonkers,” a new exhibit spread among four cultural institutions, also offers a unique perspective on the city.

Contemporary photographs and artwork are on display at the Blue Door Gallery, located at 13 Riverdale Ave., and the Yonkers Riverfront Library, at 1 Larkin Plaza. Historical pieces are available for view at Philipse Manor Hall, at 29 Warburton Ave., and the Sherwood House, the home of the Yonkers Historical Society, at 1500 Central Park Ave.

“Many people are unaware of what Yonkers was like 100, 150 years ago,” said Luis Perelman, the director of the Blue Door Artist Association.

“Hidden Yonkers” includes vintage prints and historical artifacts that date to the mid-19th century, along with an array of contemporary photos. Assembling the show was a collaborative process that spanned several months.

“A lot of them are photographs of places and streets that no longer exist,” Mr. Perelman said of the older images. “It’s important to show the public what these beautiful buildings were in the past.”

The photos pay homage to landmarks like the Hollywood Inn, a once popular club on Broadway and Hudson. Museumgoers might also be surprised to learn that a garage on Warburton Avenue was once home to the Warburton Theater cinema.

Despite the abundance of historical images, Mr. Perelman said little is known about the men and women behind the cameras.

Many of the exhibition’s contemporary images, on the other hand, came from local photographers. Mr. Perelman encouraged them to get out and capture their favorite hidden gems in Yonkers.

“We invited photographers to go and take pictures of places that are ordinarily not noticed by the public,” he said. 

Such sites include secluded corners of Untermyer Park as well as the Glenwood power plant, which has been closed for about 50 years. Mr. Perelman is grateful to those who provided such well-executed shots.

“I think some of the images are very well done, but I’m obviously very subjective in my comments,” he said.

Artists contributed paintings and sculptures in addition to artifacts made available through the Yonkers Historical Society. Jerry Ostroff, vice president of the society, loaned some old tools to the exhibit that he hopes will be of particular interest to visitors as they touch on Yonkers’ industrial history.

A variety of events will be held in tandem with the exhibition. Visit www.bluedoorcenter.org to learn about the poetry classes, film screenings and artistic workshops on offer during the exhibit’s run, which concludes on Saturday, Oct. 10.