MONTVALE—The Friends of the Montvale Library invite the public to a special presentation, “Borscht Belt Artifacts: Relics of the Catskill Resort Age,” on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. at the Montvale Public Library, 12 DePiero Drive.
Presented by local author, musician, and historian Alex Prizgintas, the lecture explores the history of the famed Catskill resorts known collectively as the Borscht Belt—a melting pot of cultures that once defined American leisure, entertainment, and cuisine.
“The history of the Borscht Belt, particularly how it was a melting pot for so many cultures when it came to cuisine, entertainment, and music, is so important,” Prizgintas tells Pascack Press. “What’s tragic is how quickly this history has vanished, which is why I’ve dedicated myself to collecting relics from the old hotels, resorts, and bungalow colonies.”
Prizgintas, an advisory board member of the new Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville, N.Y., will share stories and display five unique artifacts from his personal collection—each tied to the region’s golden age. His collection spans items from an estimated 926 hotels and colonies, dating back to the earliest summer agricultural communities of the 1830s.
“Beyond their architecture and nexus of cultures, I’ve always been drawn to how the Borscht Belt intersected with my other interests, especially railroads,” he said. “Seeing this history finally receive the recognition it deserves is incredibly rewarding.”
The talk will feature historical displays that allow the audience to experience the region’s past up close. Admission is free, and seating is limited.
For more information, call the Montvale Library at (201) 391-5090 or visit montvalelibrarynj.org.