Student Spotlight: Connor O'Reily

History can be told in a drop of water. In 1888, engineers reshaped the East Branch of the Croton River, diverting its course to create one of the most ambitious waterworks of the late 19th century—a five-year feat of innovation and labor so remarkable it earned a feature in Scientific American. Today, that story flows forward through an Eagle Scout project by BHS Senior Connor O’Reily, an aspiring civil engineer, whose historical marker, along with digital and physical exhibits for the Southeast Museum in the Village of Brewster, preserve the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and human effort behind the building of the waterworks.

“This system is interesting because the water which goes from Southeast to New York City is brought down by a gradual downward slope; there is no pumping until you get closer to the city and it is connected by a tunnel, which is not common in reservoir systems,” said Connor. “What interested me most, though, were the personal stories of the laborers who worked to build the waterworks and how several Italian Americans were killed in the process. In one storm, a bolt of lightning took the lives of four laborers who had taken shelter in an “Italian shanty” near the Sodom dam stoneworks. We all see the reservoir every day–it’s pretty ubiquitous–but I never even thought about the people involved before doing this project.”

The historical marker, which sits next to the reservoir at Old Milltown Road–one of only a few in the area–explains the unique history; the digital and physical exhibit includes over 15 illustrations, many photographs, and maps of local reservoir history.

Connor has been a scout in Troop 228 for the past six years. Over the past year, he has spent countless hours working on this project.

“I worked with the Putnam County Historian Jennifer Cassidy to focus my project. She helped me network with local government officials, provided research sources, and presented general ideas I took back to do my research. I also worked with Town Supervisor Nick Durante, the town’s Historical Sites Commission, the Italian American Social Club of Putnam County and town councilman Eric Cyprus. Troop members helped me get digital material together and assisted with fundraisers to purchase the marker, with a mix of outreach to donors and bake sales.”

“Connor’s Eagle Scout project is one of the most ambitious I’ve seen during my time with the Historian’s Office. He demonstrated exceptional leadership, thoughtful scholarly research, and a true spirit of community collaboration to create something lasting for our local history. He is a source of real hometown pride,” said Cassidy.

This project–which Connor will also use for his capstone or Senior Success Project at Brewster High School–sheds light on the community’s unique history and will leave a lasting and positive impact. 

“It is an area I have spent a lot of time in while running, and I’m just happy to be able to recognize this important piece of local history with something that will be around for a long time.”