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New
on the Web
www.hudsonrivervalley.org
turns1!
On
June 11, 2003, the Hudson River Valley Institute (HRVI) once again
celebrated the historic Hudson River Valley with an evening remembering
the first anniversary of its Digital Library. Eight-two guests
heard President Dennis Murray laud the first-year accomplishments
of the HRVI. Director Thomas Wermuth recounted the highlights
of the year and announced that the HRVI would be publishing the
Hudson River Valley Review--formerly the Hudson Valley Regional
Review--acquired from Bard College. (To order your subscription,
see www.hudsonrivervalley.org) Executive Director Jim Johnson
reported on the success of the 225th Anniversary of the American
Revolution and unveiled the Hudson River Valley Institute poster
designed by renowned Hudson River painter Don Nice to help with
fund-raising. Advisory Board members Todd Brinckerhoff and Jeff
Cunningham and Don Nice presented the first poster to President
Murray for Marist College. Advisory Board Chair Brinckerhoff announced
the revamped Patriots Society that will allow Hudson River Valley
residents to support the work of the HRVI and to create an endowment.
(To contribute to the HRVI, see the details of the Patriots Society
on the web). Don Nice's poster is one of the gifts available with
your donation. Drs. Wermuth and Johnson completed the festivities
by showing everyone features of the Digital Library. Please spend
some time on the site yourself.
“It's
Peaceful - Now”…Prospect Park and the American
Revolution
Here
is the link for an article and video walking tour for Prospect
Park in Brooklyn. The secret of Prospect Park is that the largest
battle of the Revolutionary War took place there.
HRVI/BOCES
Summer Institute
The
Hudson River Valley Institute, along with BOCES in Dutchess and
Ulster County, hosted the 2003 Summer Institute for teachers of
American History. The program, which ran from July 7th-18th, examined
the themes and resources of the Hudson River Valley that played
a part in American History. The first week focused on the American
Revolution and featured a day-long field trip to a series of regional
historic sites that played important roles in the war, and the
second week focused on FDR and made extensive use of the Presidential
Library in Hyde Park. Both sessions balanced academic discussion
and investigation with new classroom technology to bring our educators
together.
HRVI/NPS Heritage
Education Initiative
The
National Park Service, HRVI, and DEC presented the Heritage Education
Initiative Workshop in July as well. The goal of this workshop
was to better use our region’s historic sites and parks
in the classroom and on field trips. The NPS, HRVI, and officials
from our Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area felt that
was a great step forward in place-based education, and look forward
to additional Heritage Education grants and workshops in the future.
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National
Purple Heart Day
August 7, 2003
Opening
of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor gallery, sharing the stories
of America's combat wounded military personnel, the recipients of the
Purple Heart. A reenactment was held at a meeting here in 1783 to choose
candidates for the Badge of Military Merit, the Revolutionary War inspiration
for today's Purple Heart. The reenactors were in full World War II uniforms
and equipment, and real veterans from World War II were present.
Events
took place throughout the day from 1:00 to 4:00 at New Windsor Cantonment
State Historic Site, Vails Gate, NY 12584. For more information about
honoring Purple Heart recipients call: 845-561-1765. Attendees made donations
to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor project in lieu of admission
fee.
This Week’s Featured Website
George
Washington visits West Point in 1779
George
Washington stands above all others as the conceptual founder of the Military
Academy. He considered the site of West Point to be so strategic and significant
during the American Revolution that he called it the key to the continent.
Washington felt that if the British ever commanded the fortifications
at West Point they would have a stranglehold on the colonies. He spent
a significant portion of his tenure as Commander of the Continental Army
at West Point and nearby Newburgh.
This Week’s Featured Historic Site
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In
the summer of 1778, General Washington followed General Sir Henry
Clinton's army as it evacuated Philadelphia and reinforced the garrison
of New York City. He chose to position his forces in the area extending
from Danbury, Connecticut, to Newburgh, New York. Washington used
the house of Tory John Kane as his headquarters from September to
November 1778. The nearby 1764 Oblong Meeting House served as a
hospital for Continental Army troops. |
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This Month’s Featured Historic Town
of the Hudson River Valley
Pawling
9
MEMORIAL AVENUE
PAWLING, NY 12564
(914) 855-1620
Gen.
George Washington stayed here in 1778 as he planned an advance on
New York City. Well-known residents have included Lowell Thomas,
radio commentator and writer. Nearby parks and recreation include
Appalachian Trail. Some historic sites and museums in Pawling are
Gunnison Museum of Natural History, Oblong Friends Meeting House.
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