November 2010

With a collection comprised of paintings, prints, photographs, vessel blueprints, artifacts, ship models and more, the Hudson River Maritime Museum displays the entire past of the Hudson River. One can also find a 100-year-old shad boat, several ice yachts and a life boat from the steamboat Mary Powell. The exhibits extend beyond the walls of the museum to the bulkhead, where in warmer months historic vessels and classic wooden boats stop for a break.

Boat Rides to the historic Rondout Lighthouse are available at the museum.

This museum depicts colonial New Netherland history in the upper Hudson Valley. Generations of the Rensselaer family have remodeled the home, each adding individual style. Johannes, son of Hendrick, remodeled the house and added an east wing in the Georgian style, reflecting the increasing influence of the English on the Albany-area Dutch. In the late 18th century, Crailo was remodeled again in the Federal style. It served as a boys' boarding school in the 1840s and later as a church rectory. Each new venture brought more changes to the structure. In 1924, Crailo was donated to the state for development as a museum.

Visitors today will find that Crailo tells the story of the early Dutch inhabitants of the upper Hudson Valley through exhibits highlighting archeological finds from the Albany Fort Orange excavations, special programs, and guided tours of the museum.

At this site, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts militia under General John Stark rebuffed a British attempt led by Colonel Friedrich Baum to capture American storehouses in Bennington to restock their depleting provisions. The British forces had underestimated the strength of their enemy and most of their men were killed or taken prisoner while the Americans sustained smaller losses. The American victory cut off supplies to British General John Burgoyne as he made his push toward Albany, New York and set the stage for his subsequent surrender at Saratoga.

Visitors are invited to tour the game fields, 276 acres of land, interpretive panels, and information room located on site.

Boscobel is situated on a bluff on the east bank of the Hudson River opposite the United States Military Academy at West Point. Visitors are invited to tour the house museum and surrounding 45 acres of grounds and gardens. The rose garden, orangery, springhouse, and the Woodland Trail are just a few of the several sites that self-guided tours are welcomed. The home contains one of the nation’s leading collections of furniture and decorative arts from the Federal period, much of it made by premier New York cabinetmakers such as Duncan Phyfe and Michael Allison. An exhibit portraying the rescue and restoration of Boscobel can be found in the visitor's center.

Exhibits throughout the museum include the early American Circus, the Harlem Line Railroad, the Tilly Foster Mine, the Borden Milk Condensery, and the Croton Reservoir System. In addition, the museum presents various changing exhibits, drawing on its extensive collection of antique farm and household implements, quilts, clothing and assorted Americana reflecting 19th century material culture.

The Southeast Museum presents a wide variety of educational programs and special events in conjunction with its exhibition program. Activities include tours of area historic sites, house tours, lectures, film presentations, interpretative tours of Putnam County, craft workshops and family programs. The museum also offers a wide variety of educational programs for local school groups. Presentations on 19th-century life, mining, railroads and folklore are among the many subjects offered.

In the critical months that General George Washington spent at Newburgh, he made some of his most important contributions to shaping the American republic. It was here that Washington rejected the idea that he should be king after the war, also ending the Newburgh conspiracy. He prevented military control of the government and defused the threat of a mutiny among his officers over pay and pensions. Washington created and awarded the Badge of Military Merit at this site, which became the forerunner of the Purple Heart. Washington's instatement of an order for the "cessation of hostilities" formally ended the Revolutionary War in April 1783.

In October 1782, General George Washington moved his army to New Windsor to establish winter quarters. By late December 1782, they had erected nearly 600 log huts into a cantonment" or, military enclave. It was at the New Windsor Cantonment that the cease fire orders were issued by Washington ending the long fought Revolutionary War of Independence on April 19, 1783.

New Windsor is also home to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. To honor the service of his troops, General Washington chose a select few to receive a small purple cloth Badge of Merit. The present day Purple Heart medal took as its inspiration the color and shape of the Badge of Merit and added the image of George Washington to honor the man who valued his soldiers. In 1932, the new Purple Heart medal was presented to 150 veterans of World War I on these same historic grounds.

During seasonal events, staff dress in reproduction period clothing and uniforms demonstrating musket drills, blacksmithing, military medicine and camplife activities. Visitors can also enjoy exhibits at the Visitor Center and at the reconstructed Temple Building, which served as a chapel for the soldiers.

Museum Village was the vision of Roscoe William Smith, an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector who contributed to his native Orange County in many ways during his life. Roscoe made his fortune as founder of the Orange and Rockland electric company in 1905. The wealth he generated from his successful company and investments allowed him to give back to the community by creating Museum Village of Old Smith's Clove. His American history collection varied widely, from textiles and porcelain items to horse-drawn carriages. After collecting various craft tools, mechanical devices, and other artifacts, Roscoe Smith opened the museum in July 1950.

Today, more than 50 years later, Museum Village still pursues its founder's vision of educating visitors about the work and life of their ancestors. Through educational programs, hands-on-exhibits, and special events Museum Village is dedicated to exploring and interpreting 19th century rural life as well as inspiring an appreciation for the evolution of industry and technology in America.

From October 1782 until the spring of 1783, as 7,000 soldiers and 500 "camp followers" were establishing winter quarters at the New Windsor Cantonment, and General Washington was lodged at Jonathan Hasbrouck's house in Newburgh, New York, Major General Horatio Gates occupied the 1754 home from which he commanded the cantonment. Here the army awaited the end of the Revolutionary War that became effective when Washington issued the cease fire orders on April 19, 1783.

For most of the 18th and into the 19th century, the Ellison family had important commercial dealings in milling and trade. From their mill, flour was shipped down the Hudson River to New York City and the West Indies. At present, remains of the mill, with traces of the underground racecourse, and the Jane Colden Native Plant Sanctuary may be visited. Visitors can see how the Ellisons and other families of the mid-Hudson Valley lived 200 years ago. Special events are offered seasonally in and around the historic home.

This museum depicts what life was like on a Hudson Valley farm in the 1830's. Hill-Hold was built with wide plank floors, handsome paneling and huge fireplaces. It was originally home to the prosperous farmer, Thomas Bull, and his family. The now museum houses original 1830 furnishings, ranging from a prized old mahogany sideboard to made-on-the-farm pieces. The farm served the Bull-Jackson family for over two hundred years and still revels the simplicity of farm life in New York. Visitors are welcome to tour the home, as well as the one room schoolhouse and farm animal exhibits.