About the Hudson River Valley Institute

The Congressional designation of the Hudson River Valley as a National Heritage Area identifies it as one of the most important scenic, cultural, economic, and historic regions in the United States. Congress deemed the Hudson River Valley to be nationally significant because it has provided the setting and inspiration for new currents of American thought, art, and history and was the "fountainhead of a truly American identity."

Historic sites, mansions, American Revolutionary War sites, the Hudson River School of painters, the Knickerbocker writers, and the scenic beauty of the region are all distinctive. It is communicating the wealth of the Valley's resources, however, that presents a challenge. As noted by New York State officials, key data describing the special resources of the Valley are not readily available to residents, to students, or to visitors in a comprehensive or coordinated way.

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 about the region that gives it its name. As an arm of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA), the HRVI is increasing public awareness of America's First River's significant role in the history of New York and the United States. For example, it is leading the HRVNHA's commemoration of the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution. HRVI serves heritage tourists, scholars, elementary and secondary school educators, environmental organizations, the business community, and the general public seeking to know more about a region that has been called "the Landscape that defined America." Its Associates and interns use an interdisciplinary approach to produce new scholarly research and writing about the region that becomes content on HRVI's Digital Library. The web site also serves as a portal to other sources of information from libraries to historical societies to historic sites. Marist College is fully committed to having the Hudson River Valley Institute draw people--electronically and physically--from around the world to the Hudson River Valley to experience its scenic, cultural, economic, and historic resources.

A top-rated academic institution with a distinguished regional studies program and a national reputation for technology leadership, Marist College is uniquely suited to house the Hudson River Valley Institute and to develop its innovative Digital Library and Portal Site. Located on the banks of the Hudson River midway between Albany and New York City, it is also ideally situated for fostering the work of the Institute throughout the region. To develop the Hudson River Valley Institute, Marist College has committed its advanced digital technology resources and expertise; campus facilities to conduct the Institute's work; and the talent of distinguished regional scholars on its faculty. Marist is also engaged in a fund-raising effort to underwrite the Institute's programs and activities.