Issue 44 History Comes Alive in New Windsor October 2007 By late 1782, the Revolution- dsor. As such, the reenactors Admission to the events is $4 ary War was coming to a will demonstrate what the sol- for adults and $3 for students close. The first of the final diers did to set up the camp. and seniors. Beside the reenact- steps towards independence There will also be mock bat- ments, there will be different came when the young Ameri- tles put on to show what bat- competitions and celebrations cans fought and won the battle tles would have looked like put on such as a pumpkin carv- of Yorktown in 1781. In Octo- during the American Revolu- ing contest, bobbing for apples, ber 1782, General George tion. and other seasonal events. This Washington and his 7,000 is a great opportunity to get out Saturday’s events start at 10 soldiers in the Continental with the family and have fun a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Army moved to New Windsor, with the kids (who won’t real- This will focus heavily on the to establish a base ize they’re learning some- life of a soldier in the Conti- for the winter months. It is at thing.). nental Army. At then end of this loca- The New Windsor tion, On Cantonment State April 19, Historic Site is 1783 that also home to the General National Purple Washing- Hart Hall of ton pro- Honor. The Purple claimed a Heart, originally ceasefire, created by Gen- thereby eral Washington, ending is won by solders the war injured in the line and with of duty. Opened the sign- on November 10, ing of the 2006, the Hall of Treaty of Honor attempts to Paris on preserve the sto- Septem- ries of recipients ber 3, 1783; the www.friendsofpalisades.org/files/7d55232a.jpg from each generation across land which would become the service branches and honor United States of America was the day, the soldiers will re- their sacrifice. officially born. treat and prepare for the next day. Sunday’s events will For more information on the The New Windsor Canton- start at oon and close at 3 New Windsor Cantonment ment State Historic Site will p.m. These events will show State Historic Site, please visit be celebrating its 225th anni- other aspects of a soldier’s their website or call (845) 561- versary on Saturday, October life, and when the day ends, 1765. 27, 2007 and Sunday, October Patriots’ Weekend 2007 will 28, 2007. The primary focus officially come to a close Joe De Lisle Jr. will be around reenacting the with the soldiers’ final re- arrival of the General Wash- treat. ington’s brigade at New Win-

Inside this issue: Special points of interest: Featured Historic Website 2 • Meet more of HRVI’s current interns on Featured Historic Site 2 page 5 Featured Historic Town 3 • See what’s new on our Digital Library on Featured Historian 3 page 4

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE VALLEY Digital Library 4 Meet the Intern 4 Contact Us 5 Staff Listing 5 Hudson River Valley Institute Featured Historic Website — Dutchess County Fairgrounds “The promotion of agriculture, horti- began to bounce back. Following in the mainder of the year, as the society hosts culture, mechanical and domestic arts, trend of rapid growth in America during an array of different off-season events. fine arts and allied sciences through the 1950s, Springbrook was purchased by These have included: craft shows; classic education, instruction, display, and the society and renamed the Dutchess car shows; antique shows; sheep and wool competition” (www.dutchessfair.com). County Fairgrounds. The property was festivals; wine and food festivals; and For 165 years this has been the mis- also expanded from 142 acres to almost livestock shows. sion for a group of individuals that The latest upcoming event to hit the work feverishly to preserve and pro- Dutchess County Fairgrounds is the tect the cherished Dutchess County Chrisjohn’s 21st Annual Indian Fairgrounds. Through their website www.dutchessfair.com Festival. On October 6th and 7th from 11 one can explore the unique ancestry of a.m.-6 p.m., visitors can enthrall them- the Dutchess County Agricultural So- selves in the culture of the Iroquois ciety, which was formed in 1842 with through: singing; social dancing; storytel- a land grant from the New York State ling; historical demonstrations; food; and Legislature. The society held its first arts and crafts. The highlights of the fes- fair in Washington Hollow, though tival will include the Allegany River In- was occasionally held in Poughkeep- dian Dancers, the falconer Jennifer Pena, sie, and finally, in 1919, the fair the Iroquois storyteller Vicky Shenen- moved to Springbrook Park in Rhine- 170 acres and the society itself was rein- doah, and the Native American storyteller beck. The society, however, did not corporated as the Dutchess County Agri- Eli Thomas. The celebration will also have a smooth road to success. The cultural Society, Inc. showcase a new children’s craft area First World War, the Great Depres- The flagship of the Dutchess County Fair- which will be held three times throughout sion, and the Second World War took grounds is its six-day fair held annually the day. For more additional information a heavy toll on the organization. It each August. The event draws nearly half on this Dutchess County Fairground event was not until 1945 with the end of a million visitors. The fairgrounds, how- visit their website. WWII that the fair grounds finally ever, do not remain dormant for the re- Jason C. Jacondin Featured Historic Site — Van Cortlandt Manor Already underway, one of the main attrac- Philip, was also highly involved in the place. The site also includes an 18th cen- tions this fall has been the Great Jack’O war effort. He was made Colonel of the tury Tavern, a Tenant House, and accu- Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor. Second New York Regiment, he com- rate period gardens. Outside, spinning, This event is one of the most unique in manded troops under Lafayette, and he weaving, brick making, and blacksmith- the state, involving three thousand hand was a member of the court that tried ing demonstrations take place. The site is carved, illuminated pumpkins. Since the Benedict Arnold. After the war, Philip open from April to October, 10 a.m. to 5 event has been so popular in the past, the became the first Supervisor of the Town p.m. Throughout the year, families can site is extending the event to take place of Cortlandt, a State Assemblyman, a enjoy many special events, including over nineteen evenings in October (5-7, State Senator, and a member of the U.S. 18th century dinner recipe over an open 11-14, 18-21, and 24-31). House of Representatives. hearth (by reservation). Call for a calen- dar ((914) 271-8981 • 631-8200 Groups The event takes place on the grounds of The site itself is located at the place use ext. 618, School Groups ext. 628.) the Van Cortlandt Manor. The Van Cort- where the and the Hudson Visitors can walk around the grounds, or landt’s were on of New York’s early River meet. The manor was bought in receive guided tours. Guided tours of the prominent families. Acquiring their land 1953 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. who site for adults cost $12, $6 for children in 1688, the family held onto their land commissioned the preservation of the (ages five to seven, children under five until 1945. They are recognized for their property. In 1959, the site was opened to are free), and $ 10 for seniors. The roles in New York State history, espe- the public, and is now operated by His- ground admission is $5 for adults, $3 for cially the roles they played in events sur- toric Hudson Valley. The site includes the children, and $5 for seniors. The Van rounding the American Revolution. Pierre 18th century brick manor house. This Cortlandt manor site is a great place to Van Cortlandt, the original owner of the house contains furnishing from both the visit for those of any age. For more in- house, sided with the Patriots. He was a Georgian and Federal period, as well as a formation, call the Van Cortlandt Manor member of the Provincial Congress at kitchen that includes the original hearth. at (914) 271-8981 or visit their website. White Plains, which gave New York's This kitchen is one of the largest colonial ratification to the Declaration of Inde- kitchens around and is where open heath Colleen Ryan pendence on July 9, 1776. Pierre's son, cooking and medical demonstrations take

Page 2 HUDSON RIVER VALLEY INSTITUTE Historic Town — New Windsor The historic town of New Windsor in Senate. Ellis in 1754. It served as a major stopping Orange County New York is located sixty place fore the during the The town of New Windsor is home to many miles north of . Its origins War of Independence. General Knox took historical places. In 1755, James Edmonston date back to 1694-1699 when land was up residence a total of four times through built a stone house which is known today as granted to Captain John Evans. He was in the conflict (1779-1781) . Today the 167- the Edmonston House. Plum point is a charge of it until he vacated in 1699. The acre estate is home to over one hundred county and sate park that first opened in part of the town closest to the Hudson species of wildflowers as part of the Jane 1996. This park provides a spectacular view River organized under the Precinct of Colden Native Plant Sanctuary. of Newburgh as well as Cornwall. Another Highlands (1709). By 1762, separate interesting site is is the leg- New Windsor Cantonment remembers the precincts had been created from New endary place where the Stacy family was last encampment of the Revolution. This Windsor and Newburgh. murdered. During the American Revolution, place was chosen because of its close prox- One of the most prominent families of Captain Thomas C. Machin was given the imity to New York City, the last strong this town was the Clintons. Colonel task of building fortifications along the hold of the British in late 1782. Here, sol- (1690-1773) fought as a Hudson River to halt the British from ad- diers constructed over 600 huts that commander in the . vancing north. Today it is known as Ma- spanned an incredible 1600 acres. It General (1736-1812) lead chin’s Battery. The intriguing Rock Tavern housed between 6,000-8,000 men, women, New York troops alongside General received its name from the large boulder it and children from New York, New Jersey, Montgomery during the Quebec cam- was constructed on in 1740. Vail’s Gate (a New Hampshire, as well as Maryland and paign (1775). He also escaped British part of New Windsor) was once a hamlet Massachusetts. Also designed was the capture and was present when they de- and was also part of the nineteenth century Temple of Virtue. Shortly after the conclu- parted from New York City. The next turnpike system. Lewis Hall; the original sion of the war, New Windsor sought to two members distinguished themselves in town hall is all that remains of the busy acquire the encampment as a measure of the political arena. George Clinton (1739- community of today. Clancyville was an preservation. At the cantonment today 1812) served in the New York Assembly, area built around a mill and was established exists a log cabin built of the wood used to the Continental Congress, Clerk of Ulster by Poles, Italians as well as other immi- erect the huts. Two buildings also house County, and as president of the New York grants. A final place is Stewart International artifacts from archeological digs associated State Constitutional Convention of 1788. Airport also home to the New York Air Na- with the American Revolution. Since 1936 In his final years he was vice-president tional Guard and the Marine Corp Refueling the National Temple Hall Association and under the Jefferson and Madison Admini- Wing. New Windsor have teamed up to protect strations. DeWitt Clinton is best known this historical monument. The two most famous sites in this historic for the commissioning of the , town are Knox Headquarters and the New Paul Contarino but he also was mayor of New York City, Windsor Cantonment. Knox Headquarters and a member of the New York Bar and was a Georgian style house built by John Featured Historian— Raymond Beecher For almost fifteen years now, Raymond artist ’s home, Cedar Grove, center that attracts casual visitors and art Beecher has served as the Greene County in Catskill; Cedar Grove has since success- historians alike. In 2002, Beecher was Historian. Appointed to the post in 1993, fully evolved to become an active cultural named a Greene County Treasure, and he Beecher had already been acting as the received the Alf Evers Award for Excel- town of Coxsackie’s historian since the lence from The Catskill Center for Conser- 1970s. With such an impressive history of vation and Development this past year. service, it can be assumed (and rightfully At the age of 90, Beecher is modest about so) that Raymond Beecher has had quite an his deeds, quietly humble about his ever- impact on preserving and educating the increasing accomplishments. In addition public about the history of the Hudson to his community involvement, Beecher River Valley. has also written several books, which in- In addition to serving as historian, Beecher clude Kaaterskill Clove: Where Nature has been part of the Greene County His- Met Art and Under Three Flags. Further- torical Society for more than fifty years, more, he speaks regularly at events and serving as both President and Chairman of conferences. Raymond Beecher is truly an the Board for the organization in the past. impressive individual, a man who imparts He worked on the Greene County Bicen- a wealth of history to the people of this Kaaterskill Clove: Where Nature Met tennial Committee. He was also instru- Art, which was published in 2004. region. mental in the procuring and restoring of Amanda Schreiner

Page 3 HUDSON RIVER VALLEY INSTITUTE Digital Library– Marist College’s Summer Writing Instutute 2007 This summer, Marist hosted the second While other members worked with Fic- visited Samuel F. B. Morse’s Locust annual Marist College Summer Writing tion writers, such as Kerry Neville Bak- Grove Estate and grounds, where they Institute (MCSWI), which invited writers ken and Baker Lawley. Finally, Andy wrote towards the history and aesthetics from the Hudson Valley and beyond to Duncan led the third group of participants of this magnificent place. HRVI has also come together for a week of workshops in the non-fiction class. published excerpts composed by the writ- and discussions that will help participants ers in acknowledgement to the salons and The Marist College Summer Writing In- hone their craft as writers. The Institute the influential Hudson River Valley. To stitute organized faculty readings and opened its doors to double the number of read any of these pieces of writing go to panel discussions; in addition, The Eng- participants with thirty-five writers this http://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/ lish Patient, which is the moving story of past summer. These writers were divided themes/SWI07_index.php. a Hungarian mapmaker and his dying between three disciplines: poetry, fiction memories of the romance that tragically For more information on the 2007 Marist and creative nonfiction, which was a new alters his life, was viewed and discussed College Summer Writing Institute or to addition for this past summer. No only as part of the program. Author Michael register to receive an announcement for were the writers treated to a third disci- Ondaatje also gave the keynote reading to the upcoming 2008 Summer Writing In- pline, but many of the Institute’s es- participants and the general . stitute go to http://www.marist.edu/ teemed faculty returned for a second sum- liberalarts/english/swi/. mer. The Hudson River Valley Institute (HRVI) supplied the Institute with two Elizabeth Vielkind Some of the participants worked with Scenic-Salons, where participants trav- poets, including Michael Theune, Eliza- eled to locations to write within the scen- beth Hogan and Christopher Bakken. ery. At one of these salons, the writers Meet the Intern — Robert Harvery A Marist senior with a major fiction entitled Lavender Kiss. telhochdeutsch) but, rather, his victory over in English and a concentra- Diablo II: Lord of Destruction on hardcore. He also has the distinct recognition tion in writing, Rob is the Sadly, this is the defining moment in his col- of having two middle names: one most reluctant writer this lege career and he celebrated his victory the fake and one real. Robert Qorne- world has ever seen. Yet, he only way he knew how via interpretative lius Harvey is the doppelganger. maintains a certain flair that dance. Meanwhile, mild-mannered Robert allows him to squeak by James Harvey is the beloved Mar- Rob’s future seems bleak at best but his abil- most of his assignments. ist student and assistant editor of ity to rapidly acquire new languages will Rob’s writing pushes the this fine publication. prove useful in his pursuit to find an interest- boundaries between reality ing and more dangerous job. His college and art. He is currently Rob’s main college success is not career could not have come to fruition with working on a longer work of his fluency in two modern lan- out the help of his loving family, especially non-fiction called Every- guages (German and Spanish) or the assistance of his parents Stephen and town, USA: an Exhausting Expedition en- his acquisition of three medieval languages Mary Harvey. compassing Everytown and a work of short (Anglo-Saxon, Middle-English, and Mit- Meet the Intern — Amanda Schreiner Amanda Schreiner is an English Litera- treat leader. She participated in a writing a piece on her main ture/Secondary Education student from short term abroad program assignment for the fall, the Denville, NJ. Now a senior, Amanda is through Marist in 2006, which Wilderstein Estate in Rhine- currently immersed in her last semester of allowed her to spend three weeks beck, NY. classes at Marist, as she will be student in Italy. Amanda also works as a Amanda has grown to love the teaching in the spring (and is very excited student assistant in the Music Hudson River Valley im- about it!). Department and as a tour guide mensely-it is a beautiful and for the office of Admissions. On campus, Amanda is a highly involved historically integral part of our member of the student body. She dedi- Amanda is excited to be working country, and she is thrilled to be cates a great deal of time to the Marist as an intern for HRVI this semes- able to spread the word about College Singers, having served as Presi- ter, and has been hoping to do so this region as her JOB! dent of the organization in 2006-2007. since first learning about the or- Amanda hopes to eventually She is also part of the Marist College ganization during her freshman year. live in the Hudson Valley and be able to call Council on Theatre Arts, Marist Theatre, Amanda will be writing for the monthly this place home. Campus Ministry, Teachers of Tomorrow, newsletter this semester, as well as reviewing Amanda Schreiner four honor societies, and is a former re- lesson plans for historic site visitations and

Page 4 HUDSON RIVER VALLEY INSTITUTE Contact Us

The Hudson River Valley is one of only 37 congressionally designated National Heritage Areas in the United States. As one of the most important The Hudson River Valley Institute regions in the United States, it is the fountainhead of a truly American Marist College identity. Recognizing the area's national value, Congress formed the Hud- 3399 North Road son River Valley National Heritage Area in 1996 to recognize, preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally-significant history and resources of the Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1387 valley for the benefit of the nation.

Phone: 845-575-3052 The Hudson River Valley Institute (HRVI) is the academic arm of the Fax: 845-575-3176 Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. Its mission is to study and E-mail: [email protected] promote the Hudson River Valley and to provide educational resources for heritage tourists, scholars, elementary school educators, environmental organizations, the business community, and the general public. Its many projects include the publication of The Hudson River Valley Review and the The Hudson River Valley : management of a dynamic digital library and leading regional portal site. ”The Landscape that Defined America” As the center for the study of the Hudson River Valley, the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College is the central hub for information about the region that Congress called "the Landscape that defined America." www.hudsonrivervalley.org

Staff Dr. Thomas Wermuth, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Director Hudson River Valley Institute

Dr. Colonel James M. Johnson (U.S. Army, ret.), Executive Director Hudson River Valley Institute

Christopher Pryslopski, Program Director

Ann Panagulias, Business Manager

Contributors to this issue:

RJ Langlois, Editor-in-Chief Robert Harvey, Assistant Editor

Paul Contarino, Intern Colleen Ryan, Intern

Joe Delisle, Intern Amanda Schreiner, Intern

Jason Jacondin, Intern Elizabeth Vielkind, Intern

The newsletter is the production of the interns of HRVI

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