AIA New York | Center for Architecture: Live Webinar

Dr. Seely will share how cherished memories allowed her to reconstruct her family history and ensure that her grandfather’s story was told. She will also present unique details of this bespoke home and the steps taken to preserve its architecture and artifacts. Through this conversation, participants will reflect on the importance of historical context, consider the dreams of ancestors, and mark ways to continue making and renewing spaces of hope, joy, and heart.

Author: Julie L. Seely of Skinny House-A Memoir of Family, Skinny House Press (2019)

Descendant of the builder: Dev Nathan Sterrette, Program Director of Skinny House Productions LLC.

Moderator: Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Associate Professor and Senior Advisor to the Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites (CPCRS), Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania.

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020 | Time: 6-7:30 pm (EST)

We anticipate that this event will sell out. Please register early at: https://calendar.aiany.org/2020/12/10/skinny-house-a-memoir-of-family/

https://www.aiany.org

Share Your Story: We invite all attendees to submit a photograph of their family’s residence, along with a two-to-three-sentence description of the structure’s significance. Please upload your photo and text file with the same file name or as a zip folder. Select images will be projected and discussed as part of the event.

The Diversity & Inclusion (DIC) and the Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) committees of the New York Chapter of AIA organize this event.

 

 

Help Support the legendary STRAND BOOK STORE in Manhattan to stay open!

We’re thrilled this famous book store is now carrying The Skinny House-A Memoir of Family. Due to the pandemic, we’re encouraging everyone to support this store by ordering books online here: strandbooks.com. Please check out their selection to find a few good reads for the winter season!

SKINNY HOUSE FEATURE AT THE 2020 U.S. OPEN IN WEST CHESTER COUNTY, NEW WORK.

2020 US Open Skinny House Feature

Hello Skinny House Family,

What does the NBC Golf Channel have to do with my grandfather's Skinny House of Mamaroneck?

In September the U.S Golf Open took place at Winged Foot Golf Club just down the road from the Skinny House. A producer from NBC’s Golf Channel reached out to me and asked if she could share Nathan's story of his dream of building homes for families taking part in the Great Migration.

I'd like to share the film footage that aired on NBC during the opening program for the golf tournament.

Let's applaud producer Nicole Gaddie at NBC for her insightful segment, her drive to share untold stories of diversity and her commitment to share more stories like this.

Congratulate Nicole at: nicole.gaddie@golfchannel.com

Let NBC know we'd like to see more diverse stories: Email programqa@golfchannel.com

After all, golf tournaments take place in communities and communities are made up of families with diverse family legacies.

Let's share our legacies, one story at a time!

Enjoy the video! Special thanks for the contributions from my son Devereaux and our videographer/drone master Jimmy Richards of Bay Central Media.

Best,

Julie


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2020 Kindle Book Review Awards Finalist!

Proud to be a finalist for the 9th annual Kindle Book Review Awards!

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Skinny House - A Memoir of Family is a Chanticleer Journey Narrative Non-fiction FINALIST!

Contest details and announcements can be found on the Chanticleer Book Reviews website here: https://www.chantireviews.com/

Skinny House - A Memoir of Family, has advanced to the premier FINALIST LEVEL of ACHIEVEMENT for the JOURNEY Book Awards

We’re happy to be recognized within the Non-fiction and Memoirs genre by Journey Book Awards. The Journey Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs). 

Barnes and Noble welcomes author Julie Seely to the One Loudoun store location for an exclusive book signing and author discussion!

WHERE: BARNES & NOBLE (Store 3303) at ONE LOUDOUN in Ashburn, VA... just down the street from the ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA and across the street from TRADERS JOES, UNCLE JULIOS and BAR LOUIE. Rt 7 and Loudoun County Parkway. Seven minutes from Dulles Town Center. 20427 Exchange St, Ashburn, VA 20147 | Phone: 571-298-8729

WHEN: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th from 1-3 pm.

Event Link: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062107911-0

Great news! Skinny House-A Memoir of Family received a 5/5 judge's commentary for the 27th Annual Writer's Digest Self-published Book Awards.

"This is a memoir about a house at the core of a family, built through the ingenuity, determination, and quiet love of a patriarch. Nathan Seely, the patriarch, designed and built a distinct house using what was available. He turned scraps into a home. This is a memoir about Black life in early twentieth century America, about rising to a place of financial stability only to have the Great Depression steal it all away, and about having the pride to overcome setbacks to do what’s right for the family.

An outstanding, well-written and well-researched memoir; the author has written an interesting, vivid profile of her family, incorporating copies of photographs and memorabilia, records, personal vignettes and reflections. Pertinent details are backed up with references. And throughout, she draws the reader into her story, introducing them to characters that are as unique as the skinny house, and carrying them along for a glimpse of history that’s often eclipsed by grander, less human events. The author’s concern for the fate of the house easily becomes the readers’ concern.

It’s the humanity of the people who lived in, were associated with, and affected by the house that make this a story worth remembering."
The book, in the category of Life Stories was reviewed for :

Structure, Organization, and Pacing 

Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar

Production Quality and Cover Design

Plot and Story Appeal

Character Appeal and Development

Voice and Writing Style"

Author Talk at Pelham Public Library [CANCELLED]

I am happy to announce that the Pelham Public Library in Pelham, New York has invited me to present Skinny House-A Memoir of Family, an Author Talk on Thursday evening at 7 pm on November 14, 2019.

 The library is located at 530 Colonial Ave. Pelham, New York. For more information, check out www.pelhamlibrary.org. or call (914) 738-1234.

[UPDATE: This event will be rescheduled for the Spring of 2020]

Fourth Annual Eat Local Read Local event at Cascades Library

Please join me at the Fourth Annual Eat Local Read Local event at Cascades Library in Loudoun County on Saturday, October 12th from 11:00am-2:00pm.  This festival showcases the many talented authors, illustrators, artisan food producers, farms, and restaurants in the region. I will be signing books! The event is free for both authors and the public.

The Cascades Library is located at 21030 Whitfield Pl, Potomac Falls Virginia.  For more information, check out Loudoun County Public Library Facebook page as well as the Cascades Library Facebook page and the Facebook event page.

Please join me on Friday evening, August 16th for a Skinny House-A Memoir of Family presentation and book signing sponsored by the Chappaqua Public Library in Chappaqua , NY.


Here are the details:

When: Friday, August 16th at 7 PM

Place: Town of New Castle's Assembly Room at 200 S Greeley Ave. Chappaqua, NY 10514

The Assembly Room is located just across the street from the Chappaqua Public Library.

For more info: www.chappaqualibrary.org, www.mynewcastle.org

Hope to see you there.


 

Skinny House Mural painted in Mamaroneck

Thrilled to see this beautiful mural featuring Nathan Seely and Mr. Santangelo recently erected in Mamaroneck. More information on the artist and his work coming soon!

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Update: 2019 JOURNEY Book Awards for Narrative Non-Fiction Long List

We’ve been placed on the most recent JOURNEY Book Awards for Narrative Non-Fiction Long List: See the full list here.

‘MEET THE AUTHOR’ EVENT UPDATE

Please find updated event details below:

WHERE: Book Expo America in NYC at the Javits Center at booth ‘CBE’

WHEN: Friday, May 31st from 11:30-12:30

New York Public Library Catalog

Skinny House - A Memoir of Family is now listed in the New York Public Library catalog! Check out the link here: https://catalog.nypl.org

 
Eric Hoffer Award for Skinny House

Eric Hoffer Book Award: Honorable Mention

Great news! The Skinny House: A Memoir of Family, received an honorable mention in the Memoir Category of the Eric Hoffer Book Award!

 

Honored Distinction!

Skinny House-A Memoir of Family  earned two honored distinctions! The book is a 2019 da Vinci Eye and First Horizon Book Award Finalist, two book categories of the Hoffer Awards, named after the "longshoreman", great American philosopher and author, Eric Hoffer (1898-1983).

The awards are for small press, academic press & independent press, including self-published books. Less than 10% of the book nominees become category finalists.

For more information visit: www.hofferaward.com

Thank you everyone for your support and prayers.

 

Meet The Author: Julie Seely

When: Saturday, February 2nd @2PM

Location: The Brambleton Library

This is your chance to meet the author behind the Skinny House book. Julie Seely will be presenting her family’s story to the Northern Virginia community and will be available for a Q&A discussion.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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2018 Thurgood Marshall Scholarship & Awards Gala

Dr. Seely graciously thanks the attendees of this year’s 6th annual awards gala for the chance to share her story with the distinguished members of the Baltimore-Metro Chapter. We enjoyed a fantastic night of dinner and dance at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom and look forward to returning next year.

Check back soon for more photos!

[November 12th, 2018]

 
 

Baltimore Metro Chapter, Alumni Association of Lincoln University

 

Presentation at Lincoln University

Dr. Seely shared her story to students and faculty members at the prestigious historically black university.
[March 15th, 2018]

 

New York State Registry of Historic Places

The Skinny House of Mamaroneck has been placed on the New York State Registry of Historic Places!
[March, 30th 2015]


Mamaroneck's 'Skinny House' Is Big On Family History
"Sure, it's interesting architecturally --  it measures only 10 feet wide and sits on a 12 ½ foot wide parcel of land --  but for the two women who are descendants of the men behind its history, one in Mamaroneck, and one in Northern Virginia, it's a family story rich in history."
[Source: The Mamaroneck Daily Voice, Jeanne Muchnick | April 8th, 2015]


'Skinny House' could soon be a national historic landmark
"The Seely House, also known as the Skinny House, in Mamaroneck could soon be recognized by the state as a historic landmark. Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recommended the property for the National Register of Historic Places."
[Source: News 12 Westchester, April 1st 2015]


In Westchester, a Skinny House With Big Aims Vies for a Spot in History
"The red-shingled house on Grand Street shares several attributes with its neighbors. It has three stories, a full basement, hardwood floors and a neat yard. But one thing has always set this house apart..."
[Source: NY Times, Lisa W. Foderaro | March 29, 2015]


2 Westchester sites win historic recognition
"Two local properties — the Skinny House in Mamaroneck and the Waccabuc Historic District in Lewisboro — were among 22 recommended to be added to the prestigious State and National Register of Historic Places, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office announced on Wednesday."
[Source: Lohud.com, Bill Cary | March 26th, 2015]


[Past Event] The Mamaroneck Historical Society:
Star Spangled Celebration to honor Village Historian, Gloria Poccia Pritts on the occasion of her  90th Birthday
Club Car Restaurant, One Station Plaza, Mamaroneck, New York 10543
[June 30th, 2014]