History: Saw Mill River Audubon

Below is a summary from our
50th Anniversary Celebration in 2003.

Each of the last fifty years has been rich in unique events and activities that have helped establish Saw Mill River Audubon's strong foundation and its reputation as an environmental leader.
[See side bar of dates]

In the early 1950s, William G. Fennell envisioned a new chapter of Audubon that would be closer and more relevant to members in the Chappaqua and Pleasantville area. He was a member of Bedford Audubon which was the only chapter in northern Westchester County at the time. With the support of National Audubon, Mr. Fennell negotiated with the Bedford chapter, which agreed to release some of its territory. The door was opened for the new chapter.

Organizational meetings were held from February to April, 1953. At the first annual business meeting on April 24, the name Saw Mill River Audubon Society was formally adopted and officers and directors were elected, with William G. Fennell as President.
[See Presidents List]

Saw Mill River Audubon Society was incorporated April 18, 1963.

Presidents

1953 William Fennell
1955 Lewis Bowen
1956 Joseph Malone
1958 Margaret Townsend Laire

1960 Robert Schweitzer
1962 Leon Nettleton
1964 Hugh Moore
1966 Willis Messiah
1968 Stanley Lincoln

1970 David Kayser
1972 Stanley Wecker
1974 Carol Coggeshall
1976 Richard Mrstik
1978 Frank Gillette

1980 Douglas Maynard
1982 Pam Rubin (Gilchrist)
1984 Hoch Reid
1986 Peter Burckmyer
1988 Stanley Lincoln

1991 Nina McCall
1994 James Anderson
1998 Jeffrey Pinerio

2001 Richard Saravay
2004 Robert McCrillis

Mrs. Brinton meeting with Stan Lincoln to discuss Brinton Brook Sanctuary.

Kaye Anderson, Naturalist for
Saw Mill River Audubon, 1968-1988

Significant Dates

1953: Saw Mill River Audubon Society organized as a chapter of National Audubon.

1955: Scholarship and Education Fund established.

1958: Brinton Brook Sanctuary management assigned to the chapter.

1962: Chernick Sanctuary established. First owned property

1963: Incorporation of Saw Mill River Audubon Society, April 18.

1966: Gedney Brook Sanctuary established. (Later renamed in honor of Dr. & Mrs. Pruyn.)

1968: Kaye Anderson hired as Naturalist.

1970: Earth Fair in October sponsored by Saw Mill River Audubon drew 10,000 participants to Chappaqua.

1975: Pruyn home and grounds bequeathed. Graff Sanctuary established.

1981: Larry Light Memorial Scholarship Fund established.

1989: Anne Swaim hired as Naturalist & Education Director.

1990: Gedney Brook Sanctuary renamed to Pruyn Sanctuary at a dedication in May.

1991: Transfer of ownership of Brinton Brook & Graff Sanctuaries to Saw Mill River Audubon.

1993: Chapter office established at Pruyn House.

1996: Pinecliff Sanctuary boardwalk dedicated in June.

1997: Crystal Spring parcel added to Pruyn Sanctuary.

2001: Pruyn Arboretum and Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden officially opened in July.

2002: Millwood Road entrance and parking added at Pruyn. Last of wooden boardwalks replaced at Pruyn Sanctuary.

2003: Saw Mill River Audubon celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Ellen Heidelberger is hired as office assistant.

2004: Saw Mill River Audubon hires Anne Swaim as its first Executive Director. Two part-time educators are added:
Patricia Mutolo and Laura Infield.

2007: Mary Charbonneau is hired as part-time educator, replacing Laura Infield.

For our 50th Anniversary, we published a "Jubliee Journal" that offers in-depth information about our five decades of success. Contact our office if you would like to receive a free copy.

You are invited to come to our free public programs and field trips, visit our sanctuaries and add your voice to ours to protect the natural world. Come, meet us and see, in person, who we are!

We also invite you to consider joining us as a member.

You can join Audubon online today
and be billed later for membership.

All page content and images are