Hudson River Valley Greenway, Communities Council Report

October 19, 2015
Newsletter No. 2015.07

LINK HERE: Hudson River Valley Greenway, Communities Council Report

Hudson River Valley Greenway, Communities Council Report

In 1991 Hudson River Valley Greenway was created to provide a template for regional cooperation regarding the protection and enhancement of the area's scenic, natural, historical, cultural and recreational assets. Meeting together four times a year, the members represent the interests of communities from New York City to Albany. The Greenway Conservancy works to establish trail systems, promote the region as a single tourism destination and strengthen the resources that define heritage of the Valley. The Greenway Communities Council coordinates local and County governments for the development of land use techniques. Funding through this arm of the agency provides planning grants for projects that support these principles. I began attending Greenway meetings in 2006 as an interested partner from Washington's HQ which is managed by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  Through these meetings I was made aware of many regional efforts and able to join volunteer groups such as the planning committee for the Washington-Rochambeau Trail and the fundraising committee for the Tower of Victory. Later I was invited to serve on the Hudson River Valley Heritage Area council. As County Historian, I have had the honor of serving as Orange County Government's representative to the Greenway Communities Council since 2014. From this position I am able to advocate for Orange County's resources and, importantly, I am able to connect our local sites to support opportunities as I learn about them. At the meeting of the Council and Conservancy on October 12th in Hyde Park, the guest presenter was Liz McEnaney, Executive Director of the S. S. Columbia Project. She shared wonderful news about the return of steamboat travel to the Hudson River. In the opening remarks Bob Elliot congratulated the audience and board members on their successes in helping to advocate and raise funds for the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie and the Tower of Victory in Newburgh adding,  "We now need to focus on the SS Columbia...[it embodies] economic development, tourism, tying our main streets to the waterfront and tying all of us to the river." McEnaney filled in the details of the work ahead of them to prepare the vessel for use on the Hudson River. They hope to have the restoration completed in partnership with the Maritime Museum in Kingston by 2020. So far the boat has been transported from the Detroit River to Toledo where it underwent $1.6 million worth of hull repairs. It then was moved to Buffalo where it is being winterized and stored until making the journey to the Hudson River in the summer of 2016. "HISTORIC STEAMBOAT PLANNED FOR HUDSON RIVER" LINK After the business portion of the meeting and grant recipient announcements, the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area committee met to recap some of the successes of the 2015 season. -       The 16th Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble held in September featured more than 200 events by 160 partner organizations, web traffic is up 43%, 78% of website visitors were new users, Facebook likes up 46% (to more than 3,400 likes), Event satisfaction was 4.85 out of 5. HUDSON RIVER VALLEY RAMBLE FACEBOOK -       The number of Path Through History events held in June grew to 330 which represents a 60% increase. PATH THROUGH HISTORY LINK -       The National Park Service Washington-Rochambeau Route wayside exhibits were delivered to 15 locations throughout the lower Hudson Valley in September. The Route is the newest National Historic Trail in the system and marks the route the Continental Army and allied French forces traveled from Rhode Island to the final victory over the British at Yorktown, Virginia. WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU TRAIL LINK -       History Happy Hour in the historic sites near Albany has been a huge success. Targeting history enthusiasts to socialize and experience history in a new fun way, it is an outgrowth of the city of Albany's volunteer heritage tourism initiative. (The Historic Tavern Trail of Orange County will be sponsored by the group in 2016) HISTORY HAPPY HOUR LINK -       Teaching the Hudson Valley brought 1,036 students from six counties to historic sites in nine counties, 130 administrators and educators participated in the Summer Institute. TEACHING THE HUDSON VALLEY LINK For information regarding Orange County's engagement with Hudson River Valley Greenway and the National Heritage Area please feel free to reach out to me.  Sincerely,  Johanna Yaun Orange County Historian

MUST ATTEND events honoring the 200th birthday of "the Father of American Landscape":

Walking Tours On Sunday, October 25th 10:30 AM -- Poughkeepsie Walking tour of Springside Landscape Restoration with Harvey Flad 1:00 PM -- Newburgh In the Footsteps of Downing walking tour hosted by the Newburgh Preservation Association and Calvert Vaux Preservation Alliance with Alan Strauber, Francis R. Kowsky and Mary McTamaney (Meet at the Heritage Center, 123 Grand Street, Newburgh)

Recommended Reading The Hudson River Valley Review: Painters, Writers, and Tourists in the Nineteenth Century. Vol. Autumn 2014. Thomas S. Wermuth, 2014. Print. Schuyler, David. Apostle of Taste: Andrew Jackson Downing, 1815-1852. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins UP, 1996. Print. Yglesias, Caren. The Complete House and Grounds: Learning from Andrew Jackson Downing's Domestic Architecture. Chicago: Center for American Places at Columbia College Chicago, 2011. Print.

Please share & support these local events

Preservation Advocacy Support Needed in Huguenot Monday, October 19 7:30PM Re-Water the canal! Rescue a HIstorical Landmark! Come learn and help! Please join local historians as they advocate for the preservation of the D&H Cuddeback Canal. Deerpark Town Hall 420 Route 209 Huguenot, NY 12746

Transforming Historic Manufacturing/Warehouse Buildings for Present Day Use Program in Newburgh Wednesday, October 21 10AM to 3PM Agenda: 10 a.m. - A brief discussion on the recently adopted zoning regulations for the City of Newburgh, 10:45 a.m. - What are tenants looking for, who are they and where are they coming from?, 11:15 a.m. - What hurdles exist for fixing up and re-positioning historic manufacturing buildings? What roles do they play and impacts do they have on their neighbors? Who are the intended end users?, 12 p.m. - Lunch , 1:00 p.m. - Recent local & regional success stories , 1:45 p.m. - Concepts and designs that work , 2:15 p.m. - Making it green and lean- how to incorporate green technology in older buildings LINK to Facebook Invite Hosted by A River of Opportunities 639 Broadway  Newburgh, NY 12550

Ghost Program at Knox's Headquarters in New Windsor Saturday, Oct 24 7:00-7:30, 7:30-8:00, 8:00-8:30 or 8:30-9:00 PM Do you remember walking past a creepy looking house at night when you were a kid?  Come see a scary theatrical presentation in ours, if you dare.  Reservations required.  Knox's Headquarters is located at 289 Forge Hill Road, in Vails Gate, New York, three miles southeast of the intersection of I-87 and I-84.  For reservations and more information please call (845) 561-1765 ext. 20. LINK to Facebook Invite

100th Anniversary of the Erie Station in Chester Sunday, October 25 at 2pm Refreshments provided, costumes optional. Join us for the Erie Station's 100th Anniversary Celebration! LINK to Website Chester Historical Society 47 Main Street Chester, NY 10918

Lantern Tour of All Faith's Cemetery in Washingtonville Thursday, October 29 6PM Uncover the true stories of Washingtonville's Revolutionary War residents at All Faiths Cemetery on this guided one hour tour. Uncover the true stories of Washingtonville's Revolutionary War residents who are interred at the All Faiths Cemetery! This 1-hour guided tour will leave from the Soldiers Monument and take visitors to the graves of several veterans from the Revolutionary War; such as Major Henry Brewster, and Job Sayer, as well as civilians like Anna Brewster. Participants should bring: a flashlight, warm clothes, and a donation to benefit the restoration of this historic cemetery. Children must be accompanied by adult. Parking will be available on cemetery grounds. Register online today! Or call (845) 496-5483 x 324 for additional information!

Historic Tavern Trail at Ward's Bridge Inn in Montgomery Friday, October 30 5:30PM to 7PM Join us for the last tavern visit of the season. Have a drink with local historians, learn about the restaurant's history.LINK to Facebook Invite  Ward's Bridge Inn 135 Ward Street Montgomery, NY 12549

Announcement For Municipal Historians:

Annual Meeting of Region 3 of the Association of Public Historians of New York State -- Will be held on Saturday, October 24th at the Josephine-Louise Public Library, 5 Scofield Street in Walden, NY 12586 This year we will have as our guests three representatives from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation - Division for Historic Preservation.  This will be your opportunity to gain more familiarity with the services provided by SHPO for the local historian - and a better understanding of how you as a local historian can provide SHPO with information about cultural resources in your community. Josephine-Louise Public Library Director Ginny Neidermier, Village of Walden Mayor Susan M. Rumbold, and Village of Walden Historian Mary Ellen Matise will join me in welcoming you, and Ms. Matise will lead you on an entertaining and informative tour of historic Walden monuments after the meeting. There is no registration fee, but I ask that you contact me to let me know you are coming.  Please feel free to share this announcement with anyone who may be interested in attending.  We welcome all who are involved in researching, preserving, and/or promoting local history in their communities. With best regards, Suzanne Isaksen Town of Montgomery Historian APHNYS Region 3 Coordinator sisaksen@earthlink.net 845-641-0463

Congratulations to Two Orange County Museums for Receiving 2015 Awards of Excellence! Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, Goshen This award is in recognition of the exhibition "Remember Roosevelt!" describing the Roosevelt Raceway, The Dream & The Legacy, Where it All Began - as outstanding examples of the synthesis between historic preservation and public presentation. Historical Society of Newburgh Bay & the Highlands, Newburgh This award is in recognition of the community collaboration and documentation in the creation of the exhibit "Growing Up in Newburgh" which brought together members of the community through contributions of images, newspaper clippings, objects and a video that represent growing up in the historic city. Historical Society of Newburgh Bay & the Highlands, Newburgh This award is in recognition of the community collaboration and documentation of the partnership with St. George Episcopal Church in sponsoring programs that promoted history, preservation and public awareness of the state of a historic cemetery. Greater Hudson Heritage Network's "Awards for Excellence" program seeks to recognize and commend exceptional efforts among GHHN members. Awards are made to projects that exemplify creativity and professional vision resulting in a contribution to the preservation and interpretation of the historic scene, material culture and diversity of the region.

Site Visit to the Powder Mill Ruins at Algonquin Park

On October 7th a group of stakeholders toured the powder mill ruins at Algonquin Park. From left to right: County Legislator Barry Cheney, County Legislator Jim Kulisek, County Legislator Chris Eachus, City of Newburgh Historian Mary McTamaney, Town of Newburgh Historian Les Cornell, O.C. Parks Commissioner Richard Rose, Director of Newburgh HIstorical Society Matthew Colon, Town of Newburgh Councilman Jim Presutti, Quassaick Creek Alliance advocate John Gebhards and local homeowner Jill Enfield.

Crops and Hops Festival at the Orange County Farmers Museum

Riki Lent and some of the volunteers at the Orange County Farmers Museum Hops and Crops Festival in Montgomery on October 10th. from left to right: Rich Weishaar, Ellen Quimby, Colleen Hughes, Riki Lent, Frank Cass, Dr. Matthew Flanagan & John Kidd.