If you are a fan of the AMC series Mad Men, you probably know by now that Don and Betty Draper live in Ossining, NY. I am from Ossining. I remember first hearing Betty mention Ossining and thinking how neat that was, but now each episode this season is almost surreal. The producers clearly have done more than perfunctory research for historical accuracy.
For instance, last season, in a card game with the neighbors, it is mentioned that "they are going to build apartments up on Cedar Lane." Well, they did build apartments up on Cedar Lane. Why they would insert such an obscure, albeit true, reference in a casual throwaway line is beyond me, but it has me mesmerized. Not many "Mad Men" fans are real estate brokers from Ossining, so why did they go to such lengths?
The week before last, when Betty went to the hospital to give birth to her son, a nurse explained to her that her OB was unavailable, but that "Dr. Mendelowitz" would be delivering the baby. Dr Mendelowitz delivered me. His son (also Dr Mendelowitz) delivered my son Gregory. I have since learned that the producers did in fact contact the highly regarded local doctor to research how a 1963 birth would have been and mentioned his name in the episode as a shout out. Great stuff.
This past weekend's chapter had Betty meeting with an adviser to the governor about the "Pleasantville Road Reservoir" and the plans to erect a 3 million gallon water tower to replace it. They did. I blogged about the reservoir here. I grew up on Osage Drive West, a few hundred yards from the reservoir, which was a derelict pond most of my life. I rode my 5-speed around it as a kid when it wasn't overgrown. Older guys engaged in, shall we say, more risky conduct. The reservoir has since been rededicated as a park, and the water towers were re-painted to cover the decades of graffiti.
The history of the reservoir is sketchy, but it was the village water supply for many years. I knew the construction of the water towers were post war, but I thought it was earlier than 1963. Regardless, the way Mad Men so accurately portrays how it was in Ossining at that time is remarkable. The local paper has caught on, and it could reach Soprano's/North Jersey proportions if this keeps up.
A few other references:
Swenson's Bakery was probably on Main Street in downtown Ossining, near the old Woolworth's. Woolworth's is probably portrayed as "Wentworth's" for copyright reasons, although it would seem a stretch that that old (long since closed) variety store would sell a chaise lounge like the one Betty bought. Perhaps someone older than I can shed some light on that.
One prediction on Ossining history will be that they mention, at some point, the construction of Arcadian Shopping Center on Route 9, which adversely affected (killed, really) downtown commerce.
One quibble: The Draper's phone number is WIlson-4, 8032, or 944-8032. Not accurate. The WILSON exchange at that time was 941, not 944. 944 didn't arrive until the 1990's. Prior to that, Ossining exchanges were either 941 or 762. Regardless, I'll be tuning in next Sunday and blog about any more Mad Men/Ossining connections. They hit close to home.
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Obviously, the producers or at least a writer has a great deal of familiarity with your area. Maybe they will overlook that other landmark facility they have there also, Sing Sing!
I found your blog from Google while I was trying to figure out if the bakery in Sunday's episode was real or not. But I was also curious about the resevoir. My wife and I were speculating that it might have been the lake on the Pocantico property.
I'm not sure from your map where this is, but it's more information than I had yesterday.
Wondering if somone working on the show is from Ossining....
They've mentioned Sing Sing several times. That was one of the first references in the series.
Series creator Matthew Weiner explains why he chose Ossining:
http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/November-2009/Live-Like-a-Mad-Man/
I also grew up in Ossining and proudly still do. I scrutinize each Mad Men episode looking for Ossining references and the rare, but occassional, mistake and noticed the Wilson One blunder as well.. As a graduate of Brookside School (in 1968), I couldn't help notice the reference on an episode this year to Brookside Elementary School. WRONG - the word, Elementary, was never included in the name of the school. Interesting comment about Arcadian Shopping Center - we'll see! I have an incredible memory of Ossining details as I am only 51 - they should use me as a consultant. Who remembers Riglioni's, Surrey Restaurant, Victoria Theatre, Books and Things wrapping paper???
They ought to mention Peter Falk and the Woolworth's his folks owned.
I think it's very symbolic for Don Draper to live in Ossining where Sing-Sing Prison is located -- he is trapped in his mind's prison full of his old demons. Also appropriate to live in Ossining where Maryknoll Mission is based -- there is a lot of potential for self-redemption. I always thought it was funny about Ossining, how it's located between good & evil. :) Draper is really treaded the ground between these two poles at his job down the river on Madison Ave as an adman... Lots of good connections like that to Ossining, symbolically, in my opinion.
I believe the Falks actually owned a shoestore in downtown Ossining. It would have been a hoot if they got Peter Falk to do a cameo on the show, but I hear he is suffering from Alzheimer's now. So sad. Maybe they can work a reference in some other way.
Thanks so much for the information. Great real estate stuff.
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The setting is Ossining because it was the home of legendary short-story writer John Cheever, the chronicler of upper middle-class WASP suburbia in post World War II America. Cheever first lived in Briarcliff Manor and then moved to Ossining on Cedar Lane off Route 9A. He wrote a novel Bullet Park where the setting was Westchester County. The Drapers live on Bullet Park Road. Most of Cheever's stories took place in Westchester, which at the time was considered the most fashionable suburban county in America and became known as Cheever country. It was a very different place than it is today. The Drapers resemble typical characters from Cheever's short stories.