Summer 2007 These Two Weeks Were Another Exciting and Success- of the Munsee

Issue 42 Teaching American History Institutes 2007

Summer 2007 These two weeks were another exciting and success- of the Munsee. ful educational endeavor for the Hudson River Valley Week two of Institute. We were graced with the presence of 28 our workshops middle and high school teachers, from Dutchess, Ul- focused on ster, and Orange counties as participants, as well as, “Social Move- Hudson River Valley historians and Marist College ments & the professors. Expansion of American Democracy” during the During week one we explored the early part of Amer- 19th and 20th centuries. Marist College profes- ica and New sors Robyn Rosen and Sally Dwyer-McNulty York’s history in created a unique and engaging learning environ- “Henry Hudson ment, providing new teaching ideas relating to and the Clash of labor unions, the peace movement, and women’s Cultures in the suffrage. New World” with wonderful presen- As we say goodbye to our 2007 participants, we tations by Dr. Charles T. Gehring, Director, New look forward to next summer with great anticipa- Netherland Project; and Dr. Laurence Hauptman, tion. We hope to see many familiar faces, along Distinguished Professor, SUNY New Paltz, and Mar- with the new, for our final Teaching American ist College pro- History Institute.

fessors: Charlie -Alyson Dodge, Marist, ‘07 Stark and Dr. Fred Opie.

ver Valley National Heritage Area The approach for these participants was to look at documents which could be used in the classroom in order to challenge their students. Some of the intriguing documents that emerged were the diary of the Robert Juet, first mate of the Half Moon, and the Creation Myth

Inside this issue: Special points of interest: Teaching American History 1 Marist Environmental History Project Wilderstein’s Progress 2 Marist Heritage Project Marist Archives Webpage 3 Meet the summer Intern

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY Historic Site: Clermont 4 Local Scholars Teaching the Hudson Valley 5 Meet the Intern 6

The Academic Arm of the Hudson Ri Hudson River Valley Institute Wilderstein’s Progress

Although Wilderstein did not receive ment Agency. The IDA is a voluntary given Thursday through Sunday between many volunteers this summer, a lot of progress Board of Directors created in 1976 as a pub- 12pm-4pm. has been made on the property. The Arthur lic benefit corporation. It is exempt from

Ross Foundation funded the planting of taxes and any property it assumes is in turn Gingko trees that originally dotted the land- exempt from paying real estate tax. Fund- For more information on the Wilderstein scape from the Wilderstein mansion to the ing, however, is still vital for Wilderstein estates as well as its upcoming events carriage road. This New York City based important to initiate the work. please visit their website foundation provides funding for the preserva- www.wilderstein.org. tion of historical sites, as well as grants for Wilderstein has a delectable array higher education and cultural institutions. A of upcoming events and exhibitions. An memorial fund established by the family and intriguing exhibition that ends on October friends of Elizabeth Decker helped to restore 28th is “Hudson Valley Children Let Loose Paul Contarino the plant life next to the gazebo. On an inter- at Wilderstein.” This display offers a radi- esting note, cashmere goats have been as- cal interpretation of upper class life during These images are from the Wilderstein Estate signed the task of eradicating evasive plant life the Victorian Era through the perspective of itself. The first image is the goat is associated with on the steep slopes of the Hudson River. children residing at Wilderstein. Showcase the ongoing project of weed control around the item are toys, clothing, books as well as parameter of the property. Image number is con- The restoration of the servants’ wing sporting equipment. sists of the current restoration of the servants’ has been going very well. By the end of Au- wing. The third picture is from the exhibit “Hudson Valley Chil- dren Let Loose at Wilderstein”. Finally, the last image is a sketch of the house itself.

gust the upper section of the wing will be completed. Work done in this room has included the restoration and reapplication of the color scheme originally assigned to this section. Revamping of the servant’s wing has been made possible through a grant by New York State Senator Stephen Saland.

Starting Thanks- giving (November 23-25th) weekend through the last weekend before Christmas (December 22nd-23rd ), Wilderstein will provide Victorian Holiday Tours for those interested in view- ing decorations by important artists, designers, and florists. The times are between 1pm-4pm. On a final note, on Saturday, December 1st, there will be a Yuletide High Tea cele- Next year the final project of the bration held at 1pm de- estate will involve its exterior, restoration of signed to put any person in the glass section of the verandah. Wilderstein the holiday spirit. If any has been recently awarded a challenge grant one is interested in visiting from the Dutchess County Industrial Develop- this lovely historic site, tours are ongoing through Sunday, October 28th. They are ISSUE 42 Page 2 Marist Archives Webpage

An interesting component of Marist is its selection is A Lasting Ideal in a Changing great collection of archival material that is World A History of Marist College (1989) For more informa- available online and in the office. The written by President Murray, outlining the tion please contact archives section contains numerous listings beginning of the Marist Brothers and their John Ansley at such as the Collection Overview and Col- establishment of Marist College. The His- 575-5217. The lection Development, the Environmental torical Growth and Development of the hours of the ar- History and Marist Heritage Projects, as Marist Brothers in the United States begins chives office are well as online exhibits. with the French foundation of the brothers Monday through and then follows them to the establishment The main mission of its Environ- Friday 8:00am - of communities in Canada, the Northeast- mental History Project section is to ascer- 5:00pm, by ap- ern United States as well as Japan and the tain and identify materials historically sig- pointment only. Philippines. There is mention of the great nificant to the Scenic Hudson Decision. change and transition within the American - Paul Contarino This was a decision that ended a seven- Marist communities. One section of chap- teen-year (1963-1981) dispute against http://library.marist.edu/archives/index.html ter six describes the establishment of the Con-Edison over the development of Marist Brothers in the greater Poughkeep- Storm King Mountain. As a result Storm sie region. Within the written history seg- King was saved and turned into a park ment a person can retrieve back issues of which is visited by many. On the website, student newspapers dating from 1961 until there is a time line of events from the pro- 2000. There is also a brief history about test of 1963 until the 1981 decision not to the history of the Marist Theater. develop Storm King. There is also a small gallery, A fascinating online exhibit is extensive Hidden in Plain Sight: A Brief History of bibliogra- Fore Edge Painting. This site clearly ex- phy, and plains what fore edge painting is as well as survey of its origins, techniques and subsequent in- additional fluences and addendums. There are a lot Storm of interesting patterns and designs that King Col- have been put into this particular show- lections in case. The second exhibit is the Intercolle- other re- positories. Thus it makes it a definitive resource on the subject. This decision is also credited as the “birth of the modern environmental movement.” In regards to the Marist Heritage Project there are two main areas of interest, the history of the college itself as well as its founders, the Marist Brothers. The Heritage page is subdivided into three areas, the online, oral, and written history. giate Rowing Association (IRA), particu- Online history contains substantial detail larly the Poughkeepsie Regatta. This sec- about the chronology of the college, im- tion provides an extensive collection of portant buildings and place names as well photos, journals, newspapers, books, pri- as symbols. In the oral history area, there mary sources, and a full bibliography page are numerous interviews pertaining to the as well as links for further exploration. founders who played a key role in the establishment of Marist College. The Collection Overview lists over thirty collections that are available in The most extensive part of the the archives office. If a person clicks on Marist’s Heritage Project is that is that of the desired collection, it will be then bro- the written history. Brother Paul ken down into its specific parts. Online Ambrose’s Prayer and Work discusses his finding aids are extremely helpful in ascer- experience with the establishment of the taining information about a particular col- college also the worldwide missions the lection. Marist brothers were engaged in. Another

Page 3 Featured Historic Site Clermont Following the death of the Chan- death Honoria Livingston McVitty. Fi- cellor (1813) a series of addendums and nally the playhouse was erected out of the

alterations were made to the estate. The garden shed during the early twentieth cen- last significant changes were made when tury for Janet and Honoria. It was restored John Henry Livingston and his wife Alice in 1995 and 1996. Delafield Clarkson Livingston occupied the manor. It was then that the home was The landscape and garden scenery

remodeled in a Colonial Revival Style. around the 500-acre estate is simply mag- When Mrs. Livingston died in 1962 she nificent. Trees planted by the Livingston turned the historic treasure to the New family members in the eighteenth century Clermont is a French term meaning York State. In 1973, Clermont became a still dot the property today. During the clear mountain. For approximately 230 United States National Landmark. 1830s Margaret Beekman Livingston cre- years, Clermont manor served as a ated the ‘Lilac Walk’ attracting thousands place of great political and social The interior of the Clermont of viewers throughout the month of May. prominence in the Hudson River Valley House is an exquisite masterpiece. In the Approximately eight miles of historic trails with the Livingston family. This entity center hall the highlight painting is of run throughout was established in 1728 when Robert Chancellor Robert Livingston done by the Clermont’s Livingston Jr. received 13,000 acres as artist Gilbert Stuart. A magnificent Louis fields and for- an inheritance from his father Robert XVI clock can be found in the drawing ests which are Livingston. At that time, the estate was room. One copy Diderot’s Encyclopedia a delight for the second largest private land holding is currently in the study room as well as hikers, bird in colonial New York, taking up about some books dating to the late sixteenth watchers and one-third of southern Columbia century. It was in this room that Mrs. horseback County. When Robert Livingston John Henry Livingston sculpted book riders. In the Sheepfold Picnic Grounds an erected his Gregorian style house individual can observe locust trees over (1750) he earned the name Robert of 200 years old. This particular area also Clermont. provides a great view of the Hudson River Upon his death, his son Robert and Catskill Mountains. R. Livingston married Margaret Beek- man who stood to inherit large tracts of land in Ulster and Dutchess Counties. There are a number of upcoming events at Their son Robert R. Livingston, Jr. was the Clermont manor. On Saturday, Sep- part of the five member committee that tember 15 and October 13th there will be a drafted the Declaration of Independ- guided bird walk beginning at 9 a.m. The cases and fire place mantles. The entire th ence and administered the oath given to 25 Annual Honoria Livingston McVitty collection at Clermont totals more than President George Washington. During Memorial Croquet Tournament will be 12,000 objects such as paintings, furnish- nd the American Revolution, the held on September 22 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ings, books, and textiles. Approximately Livingston estate was attacked by the Legends by candlelight will be held on sixty percent of them are on display. th British much of Clermont was burned Friday, October 19 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. to the ground. Margaret Beekman, There are a number of other followed by a Halloween Harvest on Satur- however, sought to rebuild the manor in buildings on the property that have their day, October 20th from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. the years between 1779 and 1782. Fol- significance. Clermont Cottage con- Christmas open house begins the weekend lowing American independence, the structed in 1840 served as a place for em- of December 8th and 9th 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. now Chancellor Livingston developed ployees and was enlarged in 1945 and Lastly, candlelight tours of Clermont will Clermont around an agricultural setting. 1953. In 1996 it became a gift and will be held the weekend of December 15th and serve as a future site for Clermont’s re- 16th 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chancellor Livingston’s ser- search library. Sylvan Cottage, located vices were called upon during the Jef- along the Farm Road Trail, was built dur- ferson Administration (1801-1804). He ing the late eighteenth century which later For more information please contact played a key role in negotiating the sale served as www.friendsofclermont.org. of the Louisiana Purchase from France. a gate- It was also during that time that he en- house for countered the ambitious young Robert recently -Paul Contarino Fulton. Robert R. Livingston, Jr. also married had an interest in steam power and thus Livingston these two individuals created the North family. River (commonly referred to as The New York Clermont) that sailed up the Hudson State ac- River to Albany (1807). quired the building in 2000 following the Page 4

ISSUE 42 Teaching the Hudson Valley (Continued from page 3)

tain of the replica Half Moon talked about The 2007 Teaching the Hudson Valley Henry Hudson’s first voyage to the Hudson incorporation of lyrical interpretation. Jan conference for local area school teachers Hanvik talked about the incorporation of art was a great success. Taking place over and place and how the environment contrib- July 31 – August 2nd, the theme of this utes to the work of the Columbia County year’s conference was Explore, Innovate Center for the Arts. Furthermore a workshop and Inspire. As such the three days were by the NYS Department of Environmental divided up according to theme with an Conversation spoke about the need to create overall principle to bring together local a working model for preserving the qualities educators and experts to educate atten- of the Hudson River Valley that makes it so dees on how the Hudson River Valley can inspirational. be utilized as a tool to inspire grade With Conferences such as the THV, it school students. gives local educator from a variety of school The first day focused on the the chance to come together and network. “Exploration” of the Hudson Valley. Un- The THV does a great god of offering a vari- der this theme topics such as early Euro- ety of activities to pull people together. Eve- Valley and the technology required for such rything from Kayaking on the Hudson and pean exploration and settlement as well as an adventure. Additionally local scholars Native American life were addressed. To lunch talks, to tours of the FDR library and like Laurence Hauptman of SUNY New hikes on the property are offered. Further- begin the conference, Chip Reynolds of Paltz discussed the culture of regional Na- the New Netherlands Museum and cap- more, being a conference for teachers, it was tive Americans before and after the Euro- important to keep in mind that education is pean settlement. The workshops scheduled largely about informed inspiration. To this for later in the day followed a historical extent the THV conference does a great job progression to discuss how the Hudson Val- of pulling together local teachers in the study ley rapidly developed into an important of the heritage beauty of culture of the Hud- trade center for the early modern world with son Valley. an eye towards the coming Hudson-Fulton- Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration. To learn more about Teaching the Hudson Valle visit their website. The second day’s focus was on the Hud- son Valley as a center scientific innovation. http://www.teachingthehudsonvalley.org/ The workshops included trips to historical Jason Schaaf sights such as Vanderbilt Mansion, the Nor- rie Point Environmental Center and Locust Grove to demonstrate the history of innova- tors in the Hudson Valley. Furthermore workshops on the use of trail maps and air- photos and how to map the Hudson River bottom were offered. The final day of the conference had the theme of “Inspire”. The workshops spoke to how the Hudson Valley is remembered in art and story. As such musicians such as Betty and the Baby Boomers spoke to the

The Hudson River Valley Review Autumn 2007, Volume 24, Issue 1...out September 15th! Commemorating Robert Fulton and the Steamboat Bicentennial, Cynthia Owen Philip Westchester County Parkway That Never Was, Eleanor Philips Brackbill An Account Book of the Indian Trade in Ulster County, New York, 1712-1732, Kees-Jan Waterman & J. Michael Smith Full Steam Ahead at the Albany Institute of History and Art, Amanda Hurlburt, Marist ’08 Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kate Giglio, Marist ‘07 Hidden History at Storm King Mountain, Kris A. Hansen The North River, Robert Fulton Page 5

ISSUE 42 Meet the Intern sored with the English department at Marist. Katy Feirman is a junior majoring in bidden City, Temple of Heaven (to name a She stalked her subjects catching candid pho- History Secondary Ed with a Minor in Art few) and got run over by a bike ( that hurt!). tos of teachers working hard on there lesson (specifically photography). Katy plans on She returned to Marist to spend the rest of plans and writers gaining inspiration from the becoming a high school teacher bestow- the summer with the amazing HRVI staff. nature around them on there scenic salons ing historical wisdom upon the masses This summer Katy worked with the Teach- excursions around the Hudson Valley. (one can hope can’t they?). Katy’s soul ing American History Summer Institute . was owned this past year by the History When she was not busy with research, pre- She made PowerPoint’s about Henry Hud- Club of which she was the president. As paring presentations, taking an absurd son’s sail up the river and his encounters president, along with her fearless execu- amount of photos and infinitely clicking on with the Natives (and mermaids). She did tive board, she brought the club back links she added to the eclectic atmosphere of research for some of the lecturers’ presenta- from almost certain death with monthly HRVI with random quotes from movies and tions during which she found a wicked awe- movie nights, trips to historical museums TV shows alike (“I am a leaf on the wind - some (yes she is from Mass and she says and game nights proving that history can watch how I soar”). She is going to miss wicked) map of the Hudson River that be fun. She also is a member of the Mar- HRVI this fall as she is spending the semes- shows each day where Henry Hudson ist LGSA and conquered the daunting ter abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. While stopped and what he did that day. In addi- task of bring the AIDS Quilt to Marist abroad she plans to indulge her travel bug tion, she assisted with the inevitable crises with her fellow AIDS Quilt coalition (she has already visited France, Spain, Swit- that accompany any major production, and members. In May she started her summer zerland, Germany, England and Scotland) by was on hand to help the teachers with any by traveling to China on a Marist short roaming all over Europe and promises to problems they were having. She was also term program where she ate a lot of rice, return with many a thrilling tales. the resident photographer extraordinaire for climbed the Great Wall (none of this silly the TAH summer institute as well the Sum- - Katy Feirman walking people speak of), visited the For- mer Writing Institute that HRVI cospon- Marist College’s Summer Writing Institute 2007

lead the Nonfiction class. (far left) Marist College In addition to faculty read- Vice President of Aca- demic Affairs Emeritus ings and panel discussions, welcomes SWI ‘07 to there was a screening and campus discussion of The English Patient and author Michael (left) Katy, our staff photographer introduced Ondaatje presented the in the article above, felt well-attended keynote read- as poetic as the writer ing to attendees and the photographed here on general public. another scenic excursion! HRVI’s own contributions included sponsoring two Scenic Salons, Anyone interested in learning more about one of which participants visited Samuel the 2007 Summer Writing Institute, or to F.B. Morse’s Locust Grove estate and sign up for an announcement of the 2008 grounds. Additionally, we will be publish- SWI, can do so at: http://www.marist.edu/ ing some writing done in response to the liberalarts/english/swi/. salons and our inspirational Hudson River This summer marked the second Marist Valley. College Summer Writing Institute, adding creative nonfiction to the first year’s ros- ter of poetry and fiction. Enrollment dou- bled to 35 writers this year, fairly divided between each (left) Dr. Moira of the three disciplines, and Fitzgibbons leads many of last year’s beloved writers on an explo- faculty returned. ration of olde Eng- lish and newe Michael Theune, Elizabeth Hogan, and Christopher (right) Writers Bakken worked with poets, inspired by the Picturesque gardens Kerry Neville Bakken and and grounds of Baker Lawley with Fiction Locust Grove writers, and Andy Duncan

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ISSUE 42 Contact Us

The Hudson River Valley is one of only 23 Congressionally designated Na- Hudson River Valley Institute tional Heritage Areas in the United States. As one of the most important regions Marist College in the United States, it is the fountainhead of a truly American identity. Recog- 3399 North Road nizing the area's national value, Congress formed the Hudson River Valley Na- Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1387 tional Heritage Area in 1996 to recognize, to preserve, to protect, and to interpret the nationally-significant history and resources of the Valley for the benefit of Phone: 845-575-3052 the nation. Fax: 845-575-3176 E-mail: [email protected] As the center for the study of the Hudson River Valley, the Hudson River Valley Institute (HRVI) at Marist College is the central hub for information The Hudson River Valley : about the region. HRVI serves heritage tourists, scholars, elementary and secon- ”The Landscape that Defined America” dary school educators, environmental organizations, the business community, and the general public seeking to know more about the region that Congress www.hudsonrivervalley.net called "the Landscape that defined America."

Staff

Dean of the Marist College School of Liberal Arts Thomas Wermuth, PhD, Director Hudson River Valley Institute

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

Christopher Pryslopski, Program Director

Ann Panagulias, Office Manager

Paul Contarino Internship Coordinator

Contributors to this issue:

Katy Feirman Intern; Writing and photography

Paul Contarino Intern; research, writing, editing

Jason Schaaf Professor of History; writing

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