TOWN OF
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
All
meetings were
2007 Society Meeting Schedule
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January
18th – The History of Birding in
Dutchess County Our
hostess for the evening - Barbara Butler, Waterman Bird Club Our speaker, Barbara Butler, is a long time member of the
Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club. She has recently co-authored the book “The
Birds of Dutchess County, NY.” It documents the history and current
status of the bird species occurring in Dutchess County since 1870. You don’t have to be an avid birder to enjoy this
program. Barbara will offer us a Power Point presentation. Hear about early
pioneering bird observers and the history of local birds. Birds are tell-tale
indicators of the health of our environment. Through them we see the results
of our own local history. |
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February
22nd – Historic Properties Survey: The
Treasure Hunt Continues Our host
for the evening – David Greenwood Our
town’s Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) established a Historical
Properties Survey fifteen years ago. Mary Ellen Fiore, founding CAC member
and its first chairperson, felt strongly that our architectural history was
every bit as important as our natural environment. The original survey was
conducted courtesy of grants from the Preservation League of New York and the
Tribute Gardens. David Greenwood, current chairperson of the CAC and Stephanie
Mauri, Survey Research Consultant, work with property owners who need
assistance in unraveling and understanding their homes’ histories. They
have explored and documented over five hundred structures built in the Town
of Washington and the Village of Millbrook before 1940. Come and
learn more about Washington’s architectural environment and the
mysteries the team has unraveled. |
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March 15th
– Revolutionary War Tories of
Dutchess County Our host
for the evening – Todd Braisted History is
written by the winner but usually only tells half the story. Todd will be
sharing with us our history of the Revolutionary War period as it affected
the Loyalists in Dutchess County. He will recall the First Dutchess [County]
Company, a part of the New York Volunteers, remembering their members and
discussing their exploits. Mr.
Braisted has a website devoted to the Loyalist of the American Revolution.
You can visit him at www.royalprovincial.com
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Reardon Briggs: Celebrating 100
Years Our
hosts for the evening – Pat and Mike Flanigan In 1895,
James Reardon was offering stoves, hardware, and farm machinery at his
Franklin Avenue business. Later, he asked Anthony and Harold Briggs to join
him. With the
100th anniversary of Reardon Briggs coming up, the Society is
pleased to have Pat and Mike Flanigan, present owners, join us for the
evening. They offer us a look at the past and share their plans for the
future. Please join us April 19th. |
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Celebrating Millbrook Community
Theaters The
Millbrook Community Theater, which was lit from 1977 through 1996, produced
over 30 musicals, dramas, and comedies. Many included children of the area.
June Kaufman, a past director, Don Fegan, and Sheelagh Tellerday and many
others will be on hand to share memories and anecdotes of those years. Please
bring your friends and any memorabilia to share. |
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Annual Tea: Treuille residence, This year
the Society is privileged to hold its annual tea at the residence of Beverly
and Antoine Treuille, their four children and dog Winston. Our meeting will
be held on a beautiful portion of their large lawn under a canopy of
conifers. The property has a section of the old railway between Millbrook and
Verbank. Their homestead house dates from 1820 with additions from the 1860s
but will be closed because of flooding damage. Finger
foods and light sandwiches will be provided by the Treuilles, accompanied by
two types of punch. Members should bring a folding chair and will be asked to
assist in the clean up. In the case of rain, the event will be cancelled and
not rescheduled. An RSVP
is requested. Please call Stan Morse or Suzanne Jagar at 677-5084 by June 20th
with name of attendees. This is a members-only event. You may bring members
of your immediate family and friends but should RSVP. The
Treuille’s property is on *Membership is accepted at the
event |
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September
20th – History of Boy Scout Troop 31 in
Millbrook Our
hosts for the evening – Gordan Mc Canlis and Ed Olson |
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Millbrook Rail Trail Walk Part II
– the Village With Maurice Neville, We will explore
the former rail bed area north of the village. After congregating on the
Village Green, we will be transported to the starting point – where the
rail bed crosses the newly designated Route 44 (formerly 44A). From here, the
walk will be approximately 9/10 mile back to the green, mostly on paved
surfaces, where refreshments will be available. Along the way we will stop to
observe the trestle abutments and some former railroad buildings. Guiding
our walk again this year is Maurice Neville, our local rail history expert.
David Greenwood will also be joining us. We hope to see you there. |
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The Lyall Report of 1914 Our host
for the evening – David Greenwood, Town and Village Historian The Lyall
Report was named after Rev. J. E. Lyall, a much loved citizen and Pastor
of the Reformed Church of Millbrook. He chaired an important committee which
began in 1912. It grew out of the members’ interest in the social,
moral, and religious welfare of the community. More than twenty volunteers
gathered information about immigration, demographics, education, crime,
housing, potable water, garbage, and the pressing need for a community sewage
system. The compilation of this research was originally called The
Millbrook Survey. Join us
for an evening to learn more about the results of their research and how it
profoundly changed our attitudes about who we were and what we took for
granted nearly 100 years ago. Many of the findings parallel our needs today. |
Meeting Schedules from the Past