The Hudson River Valley Institute worked throughout 2008-2009 with Walkway over the Hudson and the Dyson Foundation to create an oral history of the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge. The following interviews were conducted with individuals who are, or were, connected with the effort to save this treasure, as well as historians, scientists, former railroad engineers, and area residents who had a story to tell about the bridge in their life.
We have provided a PDF transcription and video of each listed below.
Michael Asbill (Artist)
Ted Baker
Dick Coller (Vice President, Walkway Board)
Dave Conover (Education Director Clearwater)
Nancy Cozean
Linda Curtis (Earthkind Energy)
Craig Fisher (Professor, Marist University)
Richard Foy (Former President, Marist University)
Steve Gould
Richard & Keenan Humphrey (Hudson River Rowing Association)
Suzanne Isaksen (Maybrook Historian)
Tom Lake (Environmentalist/Professor at Dutchess Community College)
Father Richard La Morte (Chaplain, Marist University, Former Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
Edmond Loedy (Architect)
Carleton Mabee (Historian & Author)
Tony Marano
Shirley McClintock (Descendent of Bridge Engineer John O'Rourke)
Peter Mclachlan
Judy Moran (Walkway Board Member, Daughter of Bridge Worker)
John Mylod (Environmentalist)
Michael O’Connor (Attorney)
Donald Pevsner (Attorney & Consumer Advocate)
Fred Pizzuto (New York State Bridge Authority)
Bernie Riley
David Ringwood (Community Foundation of Dutchess County)
Edward Ringwood (Nephew of Bridge Firefighter)
David Rocco (Walkway Board Member)
Louis Rossi
Bernard Rudberg (Author & Railroad Historian)
Fred Schaeffer (Chairman, Walkway Over the Hudson)
Peter Sala (Sailor, Salvage Yard Operator, & Real Estate Agent)
Matt Smith (Volunteer & Diver)
Ned Sullivan (President, Scenic Hudson)
Harold Tartell (Firefighter for the 1974 Fire)
Andrew and John Tkazyik (Owner of Andy's Place, Mayor of Poughkeepsie)
Milo Tsukroff (Former Walkway Board Member)
Vivian Wadlin (Former Walkway Board Member & Publisher of About Town)
Mary Yankajtis (Educator)
Louis Zuccarello (Professor, Marist University)
John Fasulo
Additional Resources
Adriance Memorial Library Local History Collection Finding Aid