Take a journey through time with this illustrated talk exploring how Ulster County has evolved through a fascinating collection of historic maps from 1752 to 1951. From early land use and transportation routes to emerging towns and shifting boundaries, these maps reveal the county’s transformation over a century. Join former Ulster County Historical Society Board […]
Ulster County attracted global attention in 2004 when Mayor Jason West of New Paltz wedded 25 same-sex couples. The event not only made history, but it built a vibrant local LGBTQ community. Following a screening of the 2010 Stephanie Donnelly documentary “I Now Pronounce You Husband and Husband,” former Mayor West will be joined by […]
Step back in time with Hank Yost, leader of the First Ulster Militia reenactment group, as he brings to life the story of local men who took up arms during the Revolutionary War. Dressed in authentic militia attire, Yost will demonstrate the weapons, gear, and daily challenges faced by 18th-century civilian soldiers from Kingston and […]
Join the Hogfiddle Consort—an ensemble of 6–8 musicians from the New York Dulcimer Orchestra—for a joyful and engaging concert featuring the unique voice of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer. Their lively and varied repertoire spans centuries and styles, from Renaissance dances and spirituals to American folk tunes, holiday favorites, and ragtime. Founder and director Carol Walker […]
Celebrate the American spirit through music with America: Songs of Patriotism, Protest, and Praise, a dynamic performance by cellist Alex Prizgintas. Using his amplified cello, effects pedals, and looping station, Alex reimagines hymns, anthems, and protest songs that span baroque, jazz, folk, and Rock 'n' Roll. This genre-blending program explores the power of freedom—of speech, […]
Step back in time to discover Las Villas—a vibrant network of summer resorts in Plattekill, NY, that once catered to Latino families from New York City. In this multimedia presentation, author and historian Ish Martinez and community storyteller Carla Ramos share the little-known history of these beloved vacation spots, their cultural impact, and the families […]
This experiential workshop, which will be held in the historic Bevier House, offers an introduction to the rich and stirring tradition of shape-note singing, from its 18th-century origins to its 21st-century revival. Participants will learn the basics of this distinctive style of four-part a cappella harmony using geometric shapes to represent musical notes—a system once […]
Begin your afternoon with a guided tour of Hudson House, led by cofounder and COO Paul Seres. This Italian Villa Revival estate has witnessed more than 170 years of history—first as the 1850s home of philanthropist Archibald Russell, then as the Durkee family’s wedding gift tied to their famous spice empire, and later as the […]
Join us for a fascinating afternoon with Ron Knapp, SUNY New Paltz Emeritus Professor and renowned historical geographer, as he uncovers the stories of the first covered bridges in New Paltz. Drawing on new research and documentary evidence, Dr. Knapp will explore the 1820s construction of the New Paltz, Perrine’s, and Phillies bridges—highlighting their engineering […]
Join Ulster County Historian Eddie Moran for a visual presentation exploring the presence and experiences of Native American individuals recorded in the mid-18th-century account books of Louis Bevier Jr. These records reveal interactions between the Esopus people and the Bevier family on the current site of the Ulster County Historical Society. The talk offers insights […]
