a resource of information on the origin & future of Richmond Hill, NY USA

Jacob Riis Delegation from Ribe, Denmark

July 2nd thru July 8th 2007,
a delegation of distinguished citizens from Ribe, Denmark
visits Richmond Hill, New York

On Saturday July 7, 2007 the Ribe Delegation will hold a Reception, and a "Ribe Exhibition" for the benefit of the people of Richmond Hill to learn and have a better understanding of Ribe, Denmark which is the birthplace of Jacob and Elisabeth Riis, and to extend their well wishes to the people of Richmond Hill, as well as an invitation to visit their beautiful town in Denmark.

Photo of Jacob Riis Bust in Ribe, Denmark

The Delegates will also be presenting a new book that is being published in Ribe displaying old photos of places in Ribe related to Jacob and Elisabeth Riis and comparing them with present day pictures for comparison. And as part of the greeting from the old town of Ribe to the People of Richmond Hill they will present a gift of four framed photographs from their book. This event is opened to the public.

The Reverend Charles McCarron of the Church of the Resurrection has provided his Parish Hall as the site for this reception which will begin at 12:00 noon. Refreshments will be provided by the church and the students of the Immaculate Conception Aquinas Honor Society will co-sponsor the event and present to the Ribe Delegation their historical children’s book Jacob’s Gift which tells the story of how Jacob Riis brought the tradition of Christmas caroling to America. The students will make a brief presentation about the book as well. (FYI – the book will be sold by the United Nations Bookstore and the Danish Immigrant Museum of Iowa).

The Ribe Reception
Saturday July 7th, 12 Noon
Church of the Resurrection
Open to the Public

Photo of Scenic Ribe, Denmark

It is the dream of the Ribe Delegation that a sister relationship can be developed between the two towns with Jacob and Elisabeth Riis as the connecting bond. In the year 2010, the town of Ribe will be celebrating the 1300th anniversary of their founding and would like to include the people of Richmond Hill in their celebrations.

They will also visit the Richmond Hill Historical Society Archival Museum, the Maple Grove Cemetery and be given a tour around Richmond Hill.

The following are the Delegation Families from Denmark:
The Klindt Family
The Brammings Family
The Ferslevs Family
The Kristensen Family

Other points of interests that the Ribe Delgation wishes to discuss are:
• CITY OF RIBE ANNIVERSARY
  In 2010 Ribe will celebrate its 1300 Year Anniversary. The programme is already developing and would like Richmond Hill to participate.
• EXCHANGE PROGRAM
  They have talked to the headmaster of their local business school and he is very interested in an exchange program.
• ARTISTS
  They are also interested in an exhibition of local artists from the Ribe area and would like to make an exhibition in Ribe for local artists from New York/Richmond Hill.
• RIIS ON THE INTERNET
  The Delegation is also working on a website dedicated to the work and ideas of Jacob Riis and would like Richmond Hill to participate in this work.
  
  Read more about Jacob Riis here.