BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Teru Simon – President

Artist Educator MFA

Teru Simon grew up at 164 South Mountain Road (the Maxwell Anderson House, built by Henry Varnum Poor). Teru’s parents, Joan (Lewisohn Simon) Crowell and Sidney Simon, were long-time friends of Henry Varnum Poor before they settled on “the road.” Teru and her siblings often ran through the woods to Crow House, spending time there with Poor. Poor would play an essential role in their childhoods, and in many ways, Poor was a surrogate grandfather to Teru and her siblings.

 

Nana Koch – Vice President

Nana Koch moved to South Mountain Road in 1981 with her husband Robert Trostle. They live in the former home of the painters Martha Ryther and Morris Cantor, which was only available for purchase by working artists. As a dancer, dance therapist and college professor. Nana’s credentials qualified her to purchase this home, along with the fact that at the time Bob was a woodworker-it is close to other homes that have been inhabited by working artists, Henry Varnum Poor among them. Living on this scenic and historic road has been inspiring, as the spirit of art in all its forms has informed inhabitants for a century and was the reason for purchasing a home on “the road”.  Preserving the artistic community character of South Mountain Road has been Nana’s mission for all the decades in which she has lived here.

 

Clare Sheridan – Secretary / Treasurer

Clare Bowes Sheridan is an independent historical researcher and historic preservation advocate.  She is the Producer, Writer, and Host of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” the award-winning radio show / podcast presented by The Historical Society of Rockland County (HSRC).  Her previous roles at the HSRC have been Interim Executive Director, President, and Trustee.  Before joining the HSRC, she was Senior Vice President, Business Director at Sotheby’s (the global art auction house). 

 

Blake Hornick

Blake Hornick is a practicing lawyer in corporate and real estate law at the firm of Seyfarth Shaw in Manhattan. He was born and bred on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and grew up in a household that valued modern art and poetry.  Hornick is the owner of the Contempora House at 88 South Mountain Road in New City which is in front of Crow House.  (The Contempora House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places,  was Hornick’s parent’s second home and has been in the Hornick family for 55 years).  Blake has always had a deep interest in art and historic preservation

 

Emily King

Emily King grew up in a house originally designed by Henry Varnum Poor. Intertwined with the uniquely artsy community on South Mountain Road, the King family were surrounded by writers, composers, raconteurs, craftsmen and artists of all genres. Emily was childhood friends with Henry and Bessie’s great-nieces and nephew. (The Demings’ house was designed and decorated by Henry, and hung with paintings by Annie Poor). Professionally, Emily has worked for RCA/Victor as a four-language proofreader, libretto translator and editorial manager, as a freelance web designer and in administration in the NY City Public Schools. Additionally, Emily has extensive community and philanthropic experience including: Corresponding Secretary, Clarkstown Democratic Committee; Mom’s Demand Action Against Gun Violence; United Hospice, Meals on Wheels; West Branch Conservation Assoc., (High Tor on High Tor); New City Neighborhood Assoc.; Rockland. Festival of the Arts (Persuasion Song Cycle, finalist 2021).

Stephen Mitchell

Stephen Mitchell has lived on South Mountain Road since 1997 and was a friend of Anne Poor. He was on the team from Hudson Valley Renovations that restored the second floor bathroom at Crow House, a space many consider as one of Henry Varnum Poor’s masterpieces. Mitchell serves on the buildings and grounds committee of the historic Christ Church, Sparkill.

Advisory Board

  • Caroline Hannah

  • Anna Poor

  • Richard Porter

  • Mark Simon, FAIA

Links:

Anna Poor: http://www.annapoor.com/

Anne Poor: http://www.annepoor.org/

If you are interested in additional information regarding the work of H E N R Y V A R N U M P O O R

Books, Museums, Dealers Auction Activity Biography

please contact Peter Poor at anna@annapoor.com

Henry Varnum Poor Foundation, Inc.

41 Conklin Avenue

Tappan, NY 10983

CrowHouse@gmail.com