STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Amid the natural beauty of brightly colored wildflowers signaling the season of summer, a crowd gathered at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s Carl Grillo Greenhouse this week.
The serenity that is the North Shore cultural always conjures a sense of peace and relaxation, a spot where guests can mingle, or simply enjoy the natural surroundings.
But on this particular night they were there to celebrate the dedication of the Pollinator Garden honoring Alice B. Diamond, a steadfast advocate for Staten Island’s cultural heritage and founding board member of Snug Harbor.
From the left, Charlotte Lavasseur, Lucie Levasseur, Shaw-nae Dixon, Alice B. Diamond and Julie Cohen (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
Along with other dedicated community leaders that included Alan Weissglass, members of the American Institute of Architects, and the Municipal Arts Society, Diamond was part of the “Think Tank” consisting of visionaries Jane Aberlin, Norma D’Arrigo, Ethel Krant, Eleanor Proske, Betty Robinson and Rita Sullivan.
It was their passion and determination that rallied the community, leading to the preservation of the historic site that once served as home to impoverished sailors, and the forming of both Snug Harbor Cultural Center and the Staten Island Botanical Garden.
Alice Diamond and her daughter-in-law, Francesca Diamond. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
In honor of Diamond’s decades of dedication and service, both personally and through the generosity of the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation, the Snug Harbor Pollinator Garden — a gift from her family — has been created in her honor.
A pollinator garden attracts insects said to be pollinators, much like Mrs. Diamond does in the world of culture and fundraising.
Pollinators play a critical role in maintaining the health of gardens, ecosystems and food systems.
Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds and even bats act as natural couriers and carry pollen from flower to flower allowing plants to reproduce.
A plaque dedicated to Alice Diamond is positioned at The Snug Harbor Pollinator Garden for her lifelong dedication and service to Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
“As we dedicate our Pollinator Garden to Alice Diamond for her lifelong dedication and service to Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden for her birthday, I don’t think there’s a person who has devoted herself to Staten Island like Alice Diamond,” noted Jessica Baker Vodoor, president and CEO of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanial Garden.
Aletta Diamond and Richard Diamond Jr. and Bob Diamond. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
Richard Diamond Jr. , Mrs. Diamond’s son, doted that his mom is a driving force of cultural life.
“As a young boy, I remember watching my mom being a tireless advocate. I continue to be in awe of you and all that you have accomplished. Your children and grandchildren are an example of what you aspired to. And it was decided to name the Pollinator Garden after you. Like you, the garden will inspire people to grow.”
Alice Diamond and her son-in-law, Timothy Harrison. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
“I am so moved,” Diamond said. “To me this is a wonderful gesture of love from my family and friends who are all part of it. There’s not a better place to give money and as they say, sweat, or whatever it takes to keep it going.”
From the left, Jessica Baker Vodoor, president and CEO of Snug Harbor Culturl Center & Botanical Garden, and Anita Laremont, chair of the Board of Directors. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
Baker Vodoor explained the way in which Mrs. Diamond oftentimes phones Snug Harbor and apologizes each time.
“Keep your phone calls coming. It’s always a pleasure,” she said, then acknowledging Greg Lord, the director of horticulture at Snug Harbor. “You did a fantastically beautiful job and thank you for the hard work you put into the garden. And we look forward to school children coming here to see this garden. Congratulations, Mrs. Diamond,” she said before asking everyone to raise their glasses. “We are so grateful and so appreciative of you. Your spirit will pollinate here forever.”
From the left, Caroline Diamond Harrison, Julie Cohen and Allison Cohen. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
Aletta and Bob Diamond. (Advance/SILive.com/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance
A LITTLE ABOUT MRS. DIAMOND
Diamond, a native of Birmingham, Ala., continues to be an advocate for the arts and a dedicated community leader.
A graduate of Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, she relocated to New York City in 1962 to pursue her love of art, a journey that would shape the rest of her life.
The following year, she met and married Richard E. Diamond, the late publisher of the Staten Island Advance, and together they built a life devoted to culture, history, and philanthropy.
Diamond’s commitment to the arts and historic preservation led her to become a founding board member of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in 1976, where she played a pivotal role in its development and transformation into a cultural institution.
She has dedicated her time and leadership to numerous organizations, serving as a trustee for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a board member of the Alice Austen House, The Greenbelt, the Carousel for All Children, the Staten Island Savings Bank Foundation, the former St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Lynne Robbins Steinman Foundation, the Historic House Trust, and the American Red Cross.
She is the mother of Caroline, Alison, and Richard, and has six grandchildren.