As many of us have seen over the past year, jigsaw puzzles are a great way to relax and enjoy a gentle challenge either on your own or with friends and family. Working on a puzzle can have a zen-like effect that is thought to help lower blood pressure and provide other health benefits. We can all undoubtedly agree that placing the last piece to complete a puzzle is supremely satisfying. Additionally, picture puzzles provide a chance to learn about art, photography, history, and many other topics depending on the puzzle’s subject.
Several months ago, we created a collection of digital puzzles in response to the library’s virtual-only status from March to June 2020. Featuring works from local Roslyn artists like Henry Diamond, Cyril Lewis, George Bobek, and Ernest Cramer, the puzzles have allowed us to share with patrons our vibrant local art collection through a fun activity that can be enjoyed by all ages.
While all of January is considered National Puzzle Month, today, January 29th, is National Puzzle Day. For the occasion, we created a collage-style puzzle of both well-known Roslyn-related images and a few that may not be as familiar:
Here we have a Bobek watercolor of The Clocktower [1], a baby announcement and tintype of early donor Stewart Donaldson [2], an ad from the Hewlett-Remsen garage [3], an image from Photoplay Magazine of opera singer Anna Case before she became the second Mrs. Clarence H. Mackay [4], ads from the Metropolitan Bakery [5] and Bank of Hempstead Harbor [6], a studio portrait of Marjorie Pearsall [7], a postcard image of Roslyn pond [8], The Donaldson Family portrait [9], an ad for William Pickering’s store [10], a painting of William Cullent Bryant [11], and an ad for Conklin Tubby & Conklin Lumber [12].
Click here to access the puzzle interface, which has been divided into 50 pieces. You can customize the amount of pieces, and the background by clicking the upper left menu. The interface is both mobile and desktop compatible, and includes a pleasant surprise upon completion. For more instructions regarding this interface, visit our digital puzzle page where you can access this and all of our other local history puzzles.
We hope you enjoy this new digital puzzle and encourage you to share your thoughts, questions, and comments on our contact form or by emailing localhistory@bryantlibrary.org.