On August 11th, 1779, at the height of America’s war for independence, General John Sullivan arrived at Tioga Point on the Susquehanna River at the Pennsylvania-New York border with a large force of men and began construction of what would become known as Fort Sullivan. [Read more…] about Lt. John Jenkins: Guiding The Clinton-Sullivan Campaign
Hudson Valley - Catskills
‘This Man’s A Spy!’ Free Concert at Knapp House, in Rye, NY
The Rye Historical Society will present “This Man’s A Spy!,” a family friendly concert inspired by the fateful encounter between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John André, set for Wednesday, August 17th at the Timothy Knapp House, the oldest house in Westchester County. [Read more…] about ‘This Man’s A Spy!’ Free Concert at Knapp House, in Rye, NY
World War Two On The Homefront Presentation in Kingston
The Second World War saw an unprecedented number of young Americans serving in the Armed Forces. This led to a shortage of workers on the home front, the migration of families to industrial areas for work, challenging work conditions, and nationwide rationing. [Read more…] about World War Two On The Homefront Presentation in Kingston
Orange County Man Ticketed After Killing Rattlesnake
According to a press release issued by DEC, in July, Environmental Conservation Officers in Orange County, NY received a tip from the Woodbury Police Department about a rattlesnake found dead in a driveway with its head cut off and rattle missing. [Read more…] about Orange County Man Ticketed After Killing Rattlesnake
Municipal Historians Annual Conference Registration Open
The Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) will hold their 2022 Annual Conference of municipal historians September 19th through 21st, in Kingston, Ulster County, NY.
The conference draws more than 100 government-appointed historians and affiliates from across the state. [Read more…] about Municipal Historians Annual Conference Registration Open
Alfred Billings Street: Albany’s 19th Century State Poet
Alfred Billings Street was born in Poughkeepsie on December 18th, 1811. He was descended from an Englishman, the Reverend Nicholas Smith, who immigrated to Connecticut around 1659.
His father, Randall Sandal Street, was a general in the New York Militia and served in the War of 1812. A practicing lawyer, Randall Street was also active in politics; he was a two-term district attorney and a Democratic congressman from 1819 until 1821. His wife, Cornelia, was the daughter of Revolutionary War veteran, Andrew Billings. [Read more…] about Alfred Billings Street: Albany’s 19th Century State Poet
Copake Iron Works Gets $100k For Loop Railroad
Friends of Taconic State Park (FTSP) has received a $100,000 grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to support the development of The Pomeroy Family Railroad at Copake Iron Works.
The gift was announced at FTSP’s annual meeting on Saturday, July 30th at the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site located within Taconic State Park. [Read more…] about Copake Iron Works Gets $100k For Loop Railroad
11th Annual Great Hudson River Fish Count Set for Saturday
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that the 11th annual Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count will take place at multiple sites along the banks and piers of the Hudson River on Saturday, August 6th. [Read more…] about 11th Annual Great Hudson River Fish Count Set for Saturday
Kayaker Alan Jay Paddles From Buffalo to Manhattan in 31 Days
In June, the Hudson River Valley Greenway fielded a call from Alan Jay, who just completed paddling the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Waterford with his brother-in-law Michael.
The next day Jay would start his solo adventure paddling the Hudson River toward New York City – he needed a Hudson River Water Trail Guide. [Read more…] about Kayaker Alan Jay Paddles From Buffalo to Manhattan in 31 Days
Ulster County, Ramapough Lenape Renewing 1665 Esopus Treaty
On October 7, 1665, a peace treaty was signed between the indigenous Esopus people (the Ramapough Munsee Lunaape Nation / Ramapough Lenape Nation) and European settlers in what is now Ulster County, NY. The treaty brought to a close hostilities between the two parties that had begun in 1659, known as the Esopus Wars.
Both parties promised to cease hostilities, to establish a course of justice and conduct trade with each other. In addition to the cessation of fighting, the treaty proclaimed, “That all past Injuryes, are buryed and forgotten on both sides” and “that it may bee kept in perpetuall memory.”
A ceremonial peace tree planting and treaty renewal will be held on Friday, August 5th in Kingston. There have been 13 renewals of the treaty found in the Ulster County archives, dating from 1669 to 1745, and six more times in the last ten years. [Read more…] about Ulster County, Ramapough Lenape Renewing 1665 Esopus Treaty