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 […]
Step into the darker corners of Ulster County’s past with County Historian Eddie Moran. In this compelling and eerie presentation, Moran examines real historical crimes from the colonial and early republic eras—offering a window into the early justice system, shifting social values, and the lasting imprint of inequality. Drawing on archival documents, period images, and […]
Join Ambie Award-winner Blake Pfeil and writer Isabel Wilder for an immersive, multimedia journey into Ulster County’s abandoned spaces. Using Pfeil’s All-American Ruins as a guide, participants will explore how local ruins reflect America’s past, present, and future—while doubling as playgrounds for creativity, imagination, and healing. The program includes an audio feature from Pfeil’s podcast abandoned, a screening […]
What did a “proper” funeral look like in colonial Hurley? How have our rituals of grief, remembrance, and burial changed—and what remains surprisingly familiar? Join Miranda J Voronoy, INELDA-trained Death Doula and Historian, for a fascinating exploration of death practices past and present. Using evocative images from the Old Hurley Burial Ground, we’ll examine how […]
Join Dr. Samantha Misa, author of Witches of the Catskills, for an engaging presentation on historic accounts of witchcraft and maleficium in the Catskill Mountains. Learn about eerie tales rooted in regional folklore and how they shaped local culture. Following the talk, participants of all ages can enjoy a hands-on seasonal craft to take home. […]
Dive into the dramatic early chapters of the women’s suffrage movement in Ulster County during this engaging lecture with historian Kelli Huggins. Explore the 1894 State Constitutional Convention and the determined—but unsuccessful—efforts of local activists to secure the vote. Learn how these women’s stories connect to national figures like Susan B. Anthony and laid vital […]
To close our Ulster in Maps season, the Sunday Salon Series turns to one of the most remarkable land grants in New York history: the 1708 Hardenbergh Patent. Originally pitched to the Colonial Government as a request for a “small tract of land,” it ballooned into a grant larger than the State of Rhode Island. […]
