TOWN OF
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
All
meetings are
2008 Society Meeting Schedule
–
Next
meeting May 15, 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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September
18th – History of the Dutchess County
Fair |
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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