The Historical Society, Inc., Serving Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown will honor Mark Morganelli and Ellen Prior, founders of Jazz Forum Arts, with Preservation Awards on Friday, September 18. The wine tasting party and award program is from 7 to 9 pm on the grounds of the 1848 Jacob Odell House, One Grove Street, Tarrytown.
Conferring the Preservation Award is an important component of the Society’s annual fundraiser. The evening features a wine and spirits tasting courtesy of Grape Expectations, sweet and savory bites contributed by local restaurants, and bidding in our silent auction. The Odell House is open to view our new exhibit, The Stories Flags Tell. This special installation kicks off of our celebration of “America at 250” and explores the evolution of the American flag from the Revolutionary War to today, alongside a collection of state, village, and local institutional flags that reflect the stories and pride of our community.
Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for the public. Information about special donor levels and greetings for the honorees is available on the Society’s website: https://www.thehistoricalsociety.net/events/2026-annual-autumn-wine-tasting-fundraiser/
This year’s honorees have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to preserving the history and legacy of jazz and enriching the cultural life of our villages through Jazz Forum Arts. Morganelli founded the nonprofit in 1985 to bring quality music to the public at little or no cost while enhancing the appreciation of jazz, America’s preeminent indigenous musical artform. Before settling in Tarrytown, Jazz Forum Arts held performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Tarrytown Music Hall among other venues. The club and art gallery, curated by Prior, opened on Dixon Lane in 2017. The building dates to 1910 and was originally a barn for a neighboring estate. The couple live upstairs in what was a hayloft. The building also housed a bakery and an antique warehouse before its incarnation as a venue for world-class jazz artists.
Through Jazz Forum Arts, Morganelli has provided free jazz education to hundreds of young people, free monthly jam sessions for students and professionals, and free tickets for student musicians to attend concerts at the club. Morganelli retired as executive director in July, along with Prior, as chief operating officer. The organization carries on under the leadership of their successors, Darrian Douglas and Clara Winder. A jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist, Morganelli continues to perform extensively.
Recent Preservation Award honorees include local trustees Thomas Mitchell and Denise Scaglione for preserving our rich histories; environmental and historical stewards Donald and Margo Stever; the Hudson Valley Writers Center; Westchester County Executive George Latimer for his work to secure funding for the restoration of the beloved lighthouse; Tarrytown Village Historian Richard Rose, a force for historical accuracy and preservation in our villages; and community champion JoAnne Murray, president and owner of Allan Block Insurance.
