Yorktown’s Rocco preserves New York’s maritime historical past by means of new exhibit and upcoming ebook

For Yorktown historian and photographer David Rocco, historical past is greater than one thing preserved in books and archives — it’s one thing to be documented, shared and skilled. 

Throughout June, guests to the John C. Hart Memorial Library can discover Rocco’s newest pictures exhibition, “Historic Tall Ships and Fireboats.” The assortment celebrates New York’s wealthy maritime heritage whereas highlighting two vital milestones in 2026: the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the enduring legacy of New York City’s historic fireboats. 

The exhibition options images of historic tall ships that may take part within the Sail4th 250 maritime celebration in New York Harbor from July 3-8, alongside pictures and historic supplies associated to the Fire Department of New York’s famend marine division. 

Rocco will even current a particular historical past program on the library on June 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. which is able to supply a preview of his upcoming ebook, “Fireboats of the FDNY,” scheduled for launch on Aug. 25. The presentation will hint the historical past of FDNY fireboats from 1862 by means of 2019. 

“The PowerPoint presentation will be dedicated to the fireboats,” Rocco stated. “I can take people from 1862 all the way through 2019… and tell the story of everything in between.” 

It is a narrative, he famous, that many individuals know little about. 

The FDNY Marine Division is extensively considered one of many premier fireboat operations on the earth. When Greater New York was consolidated in 1898, the division grew to become liable for defending greater than 500 miles of waterfront throughout the 5 boroughs. 

“Most people have no idea how extensive New York City’s waterfront really is,” Rocco stated. 

His upcoming ebook is the end result of greater than three years of analysis and 10 months of collaboration with Arcadia Publishing. Along the way in which, he visited libraries, historic societies, newspaper archives, and even the FDNY’s personal library on Randall’s Island, gathering images and tales that carry the division’s maritime historical past to life. 

Rocco’s path into historic preservation and pictures, nevertheless, has been something however typical. 

A former carpenter with the New York City Housing Authority, he retired within the early 2000s after a career-ending knee harm. Photography, initially a sensible device for documenting development initiatives, quickly developed right into a lifelong ardour. 

“I’ve always taken photographs,” he stated. One mission led to a different, and earlier than lengthy Rocco discovered himself immersed in quite a lot of historic and photographic endeavors. 

Among them was the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, the place he first volunteered and later served on the board of administrators. His involvement there sparked a deep connection to the Hudson River and its historical past. 

Over the previous twenty years, he has documented numerous occasions alongside the river, together with the alternative of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Rocco spent eight years photographing the huge enterprise, capturing greater than 20,000 pictures and even funding helicopter flights to acquire distinctive aerial views. 

At the center of his work is a want to protect moments that may in any other case be misplaced. He typically emphasizes the significance of being prepared when historical past unfolds. 

“When the moment’s gone, it’s gone,” he stated. 

Visitors to the Shrub Oak exhibition will discover not solely pictures of fireboats and tall ships, but additionally a few of Rocco’s private favourite images, together with Hudson Valley landscapes and wildlife. 

More importantly, he hopes attendees depart with a larger appreciation for the individuals and tales behind the pictures. 

“I want people to appreciate what these firefighters went through,” he stated. The sacrifices they made, the hazards they confronted and the historical past that’s typically forgotten are all facets of the exhibit that Rocco hopes guests will higher perceive after viewing the gathering. 

As Rocco approaches his seventieth birthday this fall, he exhibits little signal of slowing down. While selling his new ebook, he’s already contemplating future initiatives centered on native historical past and preservation. 

For now, nevertheless, his focus stays on sharing the tales of New York’s fireboats and maritime heritage with the neighborhood — guaranteeing {that a} important piece of the area’s historical past continues to be remembered.