Marbletown Founders’ Day

The first settlers to reside in what is now the Town of Marbletown are believed to have come from nearby Hurley in roughly the year 1669. Decommissioned British soldiers would build homesteads on the banks of the Rondout Creek, whose name derives from the word fort or redoubt that was erected near its mouth at the Hudson River in nearby Kingston. The rich soil on these banks would become an important breadbasket for the growing colonial city of New York and its environs, a short 100 mile float down the Hudson River. By 1703, the Town of Marbletown received a land patent, granted by Queen Anne of England to Colonel Henry Beekman, Captain Thomas Garton and Captain Charles Broadhead on the 23rd of June of that year—which is the anniversary we now celebrate. The original document is on display as part of the permanent collection of the Ulster County Historical Society at the Bevier House Museum. By 1704, a New York silversmith, Jacob Boelen (1657-1729), was commissioned to design and render the Town stamp, a replica of which is also on display at the Bevier House, on loan from the Town of Marbletown. The original stamp is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Boelen captured the essence of Marbletown of the period in a simple rendering of deer in the upper register of the seal, signifying the bounty of the nearby forests teaming with game. On the lower register of the seal the artist depicted sheaves of wheat, symbolizing the bounty derived from the fertile soils that lined the Rondout Creek. With a telling motto, “Be Just/To Trust,” which captured both the simplicity and poignancy of the area’s Dutch cultural inheritance, the Town of Marbletown was born.

This year’s event continues the celebration and will feature a dazzling display of local art, history and locally produced wares that are hallmarks the Rondout Valley. The event will benefit in part the Stone Ridge Library:

• The artwork is curated by Sevan Melikyan, director of the Wired Gallery in High Falls. The display of painting, sculpture and photography will be sold during the event with over 30 artists in a variety of media participating;
• A 10:30 am lecture, given by Dr. William Rhoads, on the historic architecture of Marbletown, and a 2:00 pm lecture, given by the Town’s historian, Gail Many, on the history of Marbletown. The lectures are sponsored by the Marbletown Historical Preservation Commission;
• A photography display of some of the permanent collection of the Ulster County Historical Society’s collection by local photographer Jim Smith will be on display and for sale at the Bevier House;
• The Rondout Valley Growers Association will provide a further historical link to farming in the area that once made the Valley the breadbasket of an emerging nation in the late 18th century. Local produce will be for sale during the day;
• The Ulster County Historical Society staff will conduct guided tours of the 17th century Bevier House;
• The Stone Ridge Library will be staging a children’s event TBA;
• Dianne Hart, a local floral designer will display her award winning floral displays;
• Other displaying participants TBA.

This event is free and open to the public.