homedefenseleague

NYT of March 21, 1917 query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D05E2DC143AE433A... "WORK FOR DEFENSE LEAGUE; B. Altman & Co. First to Form Contingent and Drill Employes"

See for details of the event shown here.

See www.facebook.com/pages/Shepard-Hall/568417896503455?sk=in... for the buildings near the stadium (now demolished). "Shepard Hall or "The Main Building" was completed in 1907 by renowned architect George Post as the start of the new campus for the City College of New York between 138th St. and 140th St in Hamilton Heights."

Mabel Riegelman was an opera singer. See digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/ref/collection/... for a photo and adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/talent/detail/18785/Riegel... for a discography.

NYT of June 24, 1917 query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C01E5D7123BE03AB... indicated that the B. Altman regiment of the Home Defense League, commanded by Colonel J. H. Thompson gave demonstrations of drills and Red Cross methods in the Lewisohn Stadium of the College of the City of New York the day before (June 23, 1917). Mabel Riegelman sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Dixie."

More info on Ms. Riegelman: books.google.com/books?id=KJrcN1CzFTUC&lpg=PA190&... On B. Altman & Co.: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._Altman_and_Company

Thank you swanq for your research. We'll add a bit more information to the record the next time we update.

Just ran into another connection between Lewisohn Stadium and opera at www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532.229232.20...