INTERVIEW DETAILS –
Narrator: Hansine Bowe
Interviewer: Margaret Fraser
Date: March 17, 2011; Location: Mrs. Bowe’s home
Duration: 01:11:58
Excerpt 1: Before the Landfill
Excerpt 2: Freshkills Landfill
Hansine Bowe (1943- ) was born and raised on Staten Island, NY. She grew up on a few acres of land that her parents owned on Richmond Avenue, which later became Fresh Kills landfill and is now Fresh Kills Park. Bowe’s father, Raymond Pavelec, owned three airplanes. The city bought their property under the pretense of building a park and the family moved to the St. George Gardens neighborhood when Bowe was in 5th grade. The house was sold by the city shortly after and its new owners moved it to Eltingville, Staten Island.
In this interview, Bowe shares childhood memories of growing up on Staten Island and on Richmond Avenue and describes the neighborhood and landscape of her childhood home, including the nearby airport, auction, drive-in theatre and restaurants, as well as the local wildlife and terrain. Bowe candidly discusses significant changes in the environment and character of Staten Island over the last 60 years, and discuses how, in many cases, these changes were directly influenced by the Fresh Kills landfill. After a recent visit to the future Fresh Kills Park, Bowe shares her hopes and concerns for the future Park, hoping that, 60 years after her home was taken, the park will finally be built.
Full Interview
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Interview Transcript: BoweTranscriptFinal
