TOWN OF
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
All
meetings are
2008 Society Meeting Schedule
–
Next
meeting September 18, 2008
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Millbrook Fire Department
Celebrating 100 Years The
Society is fortunate to share in the presentation of not just the early
history of the Millbrook Fire Department, but to follow its growth to the
superb organization it has become. Mickey Prisco, Master of Ceremonies, will ask the Color Guard to
open the program with the Pledge of Allegiance. David Greenwood, Town of
Washington/Village of Millbrook Historian, using old photographs of equipment
and early members will tell us about the historic beginning years. John Manzi, Jr. will have many stories to tell with the help
of those in the audience who spent time with the department. The modern
department will be described by Chief Chris Hawks. He will have two members
demonstrate the wearing and use of the “turn-out” gear. Jodi
Swart, Auxiliary President will introduce an officer to talk about the 30
years the Auxiliary is celebrating. Matt Rochfort, President will speak about the upcoming
Dutchess County Volunteer Association dress parade and Laurie Olson will
speak as Chief of the Rescue Squad. Parking
is available behind the Firehouse off |
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History of the Our
hosts for the evening – Julia & Albert Rosenblatt and Elizabeth K. Shequine, Town Justice The Rosenblatts will speak about the Dutchess County
Courthouse, its history, and some famous cases. Judge
Albert Rosenblatt has worked in the Judicial System since 1969 in several
capacities, including District Attorney of Dutchess County and as a Judge in
the New York State Court of Appeals. He is the President and Charter Trustee
of the Historical Society of the Courts of the State of Julia
Rosenblatt has a PhD in Psychology. She is a former Psychology Professor at Together
the Rosenblatts authored “Historic
Courthouses of the State of Judge
Elizabeth Shequine, our Town Judge, will speak
about our local |
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The Anti-slavery Movement and the
Nine Partner’s Quaker Meeting Our
hosts for the evening – Ed Shaughnessy and
David Greenwood The
significance of the Nine Partners’ Meeting has faded from view until
recently. The growing interest and enthusiasm for the national Freedom Trail
which celebrates the phenomenon known generally as the “Underground
Railroad” must pay homage to the efforts of New York’s Society of
Friends or “Quakers” to reconcile the tenets of their beliefs in
the common humanity of all, opposition to the slave trade within its own
community, and slavery itself within the Society. The Quakers at Nine
Partners’ comprised a large and dynamic agricultural community whose
struggles against slavery, which was outlawed by the New York Meeting in
1770, were neither theologically nor socially simple. They were, however,
instrumental in developing leaders who fought against slavery before it was
fashionable. These leaders, men and women, helped to develop some of the
lesser known routes to freedom for those who broke the bonds of captivity. |
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Immigration: Newcomers to the
Valley (1880-1920)
Our host
for the evening – Dr. Louis Zuccarello, Dr. Zuccarello
is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at We
invite you to join us for this presentation about immigration in |
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Preview: Silver Ribbon House Tour Our host
for the evening – David Greenwood The
Dutchess County Historical Society is nearing its 100th birthday.
Among the founding members were Franklin D. Roosevelt, Helen Wilkinson
Reynolds, and Henry Harkness Flagler. Among other
projects, they established annual automobile tours to showcase important
sites within the county. That tradition continues, but now is known as the
DCHS Silver Ribbon Tour. Come find out more about the society’s update
of those early events. This year’s destination is Greater Millbrook;
the tour takes place on June 7th and is being coordinated to
compliment the Millbrook Education Foundation evening event at the Millbrook
Vineyard. Our May meeting will explore highlights of recent tours, including
many early homes and important sites of both local and national interest. We
hope it will also whet your appetite for the June 7th tour of
noteworthy sites virtually in our own backyard! |
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June 14th
– 3 pm at
Hallmark Farms Annual Tea: Members only Our
Society has yet another fine experience in the offing. Jane and Shep Ellenberg have graciously
offered to have our “Annual Society Tea” at their spectacular
hill top Hallmark Farms on While
the Tea is “for members only,” we encourage members to bring
along guests with the expectation that they will join the Society at our very
reasonable annual dues of $25 for individuals and $30 for a family. And what
a site Hallmark Farms is! For those who were around in the 1990s, Hallmark
Farms hosted two of the annual spectaculars of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic
which folks are still taking about today. Rolling hills, distant vistas,
beautiful woods and fields, and much wildlife. Our Tea
is a picnic by another name, and is casual and fun in purpose. It’s
really an afternoon in the beautiful countryside of Millbrook. There will be
very brief presentations, including remarks by our thoughtful hosts, and
information about the history of the property by David Greenwood. Hallmark
Farms was part of the original Migdale Estate which was a wedding present to
Roswell Miller Jr. and Margaret Carnegie by Margaret’s father, Andrew,
in 1920. David has more stories to tell about the property which are very
interesting. To
ensure a successful event, we need your help. We ask that each attendee bring
along some finger food for the picnic table, as well as lawn chairs in which
to sit and relax. Our Society practice is not to serve alcoholic beverages
for this event. On arrival at the site, we request attendees proceed directly
to the gathering location which will be well marked by signage. Parking is
plentiful. For more information, contact me (Stan Morse) at work at 677-5084,
or at home at 677-5083. |
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History of the Dutchess County
Fair Our
hosts for the evening – Tom Odak and Molly
Ahearn As the
most popular county fair in Our two
exceptional guest hosts will relate this story to us. Tom Odak, who was manager/secretary of
the Fair for 27 years (1979-2006), will talk about his experience and goals
in making it what it is today, a showcase family fair. Molly Ahearn, author of “The Dutchess County Fair: Portrait
of an American Tradition”, will embellish our imaginations of the early
fair with historical photographs and more. We invite all members to bring
their photos, ribbons, and memories to share. |
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October
?? – Rail/Trail Part III: Southend of the Village Our
hosts for the afternoon – Stan Morse and Maurice Neville |
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November
20th – Millbrook During WWI Our
hosts for the evening – Bryce Ainsley and Bill Augerson |
Meeting Schedules from the Past