October 2015

Barnabas McHenry, Chair Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area

Sara Griffen, Acting Chair Greenway Conservancy, Acting Co-Chair National Heritage Area

Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director Greenway, Acting Director National Heritage Area  

 

In This Issue

What's New?            Upcoming Grant Opportunities        Regional Events 

Heritage Spotlight              Project Spotlight                Green Tip Of The Month 

What's New? New
National Park Service Washington-Rochambeau  Route Waysides Unveiled
In September, National Park Service Wayside exhibits were delivered to 15 locations throughout the lower Hudson Valley, marking their significance on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary National Historic Trail.  The Route is one of the newest National Historic Trails in the nation and marks the route the Continental Army and allied French forces traveled from Rhode Island to the final victory over the British at Yorktown, Virginia during the American War of Independence.                                                     (6th Annual Revolutionary War Weekend at Fishkill Supply Depot in NY)
Credit: Marilyn Gabriel 

On Saturday, September 19th, as part of the 6th Annual Revolutionary War Weekend event, the Fishkill Historical Society (FHS) and Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot (FOFSD) unveiled the display panels marking the Fishkill Supply Depot site's inclusion in the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. Research has uncovered Fishkill's clear connection to the French forces that served in the Revolution.
(North Salem Wayside Ribbon Cutting)
L to R: Supervisor Warren Lucas, Vice Chair of Historic Preservation Gail Pantezzi, Town Historian Susan J. Thompson
Credit: Susan J. Thompson 

Along with the Van Wyck Homestead Museum's status as a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) site, the installation of the panels marks the national importance of the Fishkill Supply Depot.  

The  Greenway ori ginally secured a $240,000 grant for this project and partnered with the National Park Service who lead the process to develop the interpretive panels. The signs are the first interpretive elements to be installed along the National Historic Trail.

The 2015 Hudson River Valley Ramble - Success!
We would like to thank our sponsors , partners , event leaders, and all the  Ram b le participants who made the 2015 Hudson River Valley Ramble a fanta stic success. Thousands of people enjoyed 221 events.  

Social media played a big role in the success of this year's Ramble. Our sessions were up by 44%, and our targeted online promotional campaigns reached about 50% more people than the previous year. The 
Hudson River Valley Ramble Facebook page saw 'likes' go up 45% and between mid-August and mid-September, our posts reached about 400,000 people.  

Thanks to our many followers on  Facebook Twitter , and to all of our partners and sponsors who helped us expand social media outreach for the event, including:

History Happy Hour at the Schuyler  Mansion Gardens
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area sponsored History Happy Hour at Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site on September 24th. History Happy Hour  targets history enthusiasts to socialize and experience history in a new and fun way. History Happy Hour is an outgrowth of the city of Albany's volunteer heritage tourism initiative, convened by Mayor Kathy Sheehan. Community leaders and a variety of stakeholder organizations, historians and tourism professionals are represented on the initiative's committees, which work to cultivate a community to support heritage tourism in the city and introduce Albany's historic resources to new audiences. 


Estuary Restoration Program Announces $730,000 in Funding for Resiliency Projects
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program  is now accepting applications. Grant  Request Applications and the Tributary Restoration and Resiliency Grants are available online through the  NYS Grants Gateway Completed grant applications must be submitted online by close-of-business November 13, 2015. More...

Twin Forts Day on October 10th
On October 6, 1777 an invading British Army assaulted Fort Montgomery and nearby Fort Clinton. Outnumbered 3 to 1, the defending Continental soldiers and militia held out as long as they could until finally the forts were overrun, the Continental ships burned by their own crews to prevent capture, and the Great Chain removed. Over half of the  garrison was captured o r kil led.

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is sponsoring Fort Montgomery State Historic Site's annual commemoration of the battle on October 10th. Reenactors will portray American Continentals and militia as well as the British, their German allies, and the Loyalist Americans. There will be a reenactment of the battle on the actual battlefield of Fort Montgomery; cannon firings, including the fort's 32-pounder "George" and military drill and living history demonstrations throughout the d ay. More...
Heritage Spotlight
HeritageSpot
Haunted Huguenot Street
In the 1600s, a group of Huguenots fled Europe to America, where they would be safe from persecution by the Catholic church. In 1678, they established a community on the Wallkill River in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York in hopes of preserving their religion and culture . That community grew into what is now the Town of New Paltz. 

Historic Huguenot Street encompasses 30 buildings across 10 acres that was the core of the original settlement and has grown into a museum dedicated to protecting our historic buildings, conserving artifacts and manuscripts, and promoting the stories of the Huguenot Street families.

Each year in mid-October, Historic Huguenot Street transforms into Haunted Huguenot Street, returning with new interpretations and special night-time tours inspired by the legends and history of Huguenot Street. For more on Haunted Huguenot Street and to plan a visit, please visit the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
Project Spotlight Projectspot
Hudson River Walk Sensory Trail and Canoe/Kayak Launch at Hudson Crossing Park

Hudson River Valley Greenway awarded a $5,000 grant to Hudson Crossing Park, Inc. on October 17, 2012 to provide enhancements to Hudson Crossing Park waterfront. 

The grant money paid for a Hudson River Greenway Water  Trail Kayak Storage Rack and three  handcrafted six foot wooden park benches for  the HCP Sensory Trail decks.



Credit: Hudson Crossing Park Inc.
Upcoming Grants and Other Opportunities Grants
The final deadline for the 2015 Hudson River Greenway Grants Program is  December 4th. This program offers financial assistance (approximately $5,000-$10,000) to designated Greenway Communities or Greenway Compact Communities within the Greenway Area. Projects should relate to community planning, economic development, natural resource protection, cultural resource protection, scenic resource protection, or open space protection. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by 4:00PM:  December 4, 2015. For more information,  applications, and  guidelines, please visit the program  webpage.

Estuary Restoration Program Provides $730,000 in Funding for Resiliency Projects
The DEC Hudson River Estuary Program 2015 Request for Applications and the application form for the Tributary Restoration and Resiliency Grants are available online through the   NYS Grants Gateway . Completed grant applications must be submitted online by close-of-business   November 13, 2015 .   More...

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) has provided $102,000 to be distrib uted by the Museum Association of New York (MANY). Grants of up to $5,000 are available to work on modest planning or implementation projects through two new programs, "Mini-Grants" and "Travel Grants". Deadlines for the Mini-Grants program are October 30, 2015  and February 5, 2016 . For more information, please visit manyonline.org .

Erie Canalway Grants Available
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is now accepting applications from not-for-profits, municipalities, and federally-recognized Native American tribes for projects that advance their Preservation and Management Plan's goals and objectives.  Grants range from $2,000 to $7,000 and a 50/50 match is required. Deadline: October 24, 2015 at 4pm. For more information, applications, and guidelines, please visit  the program webpage

The Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grant program of the National Endowment for the Humanities helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting sustainable conservation measures that mitigate deterioration and prolong the useful life of collections. Deadline: December 1. For more information, visit neh.gov.

Rolling Acceptance of Grant Applications:

Federal Grant Opportunities (Courtesy of Congressman Paul Tonko)
A comprehensive and updated list of federal grant opportunities is available at the  website of New York Congressman Paul Tonko. 

New York State Conference of Mayors Grant & Award Opportunities (Ongoing)
New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials provide access to several ongoing grant and award opportunities. NYSCOM shares several links to federal, state, private foundation, and corporate grant and award programs. For more information, visit nycom.org.

Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (Ongoing)
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invite municipalities and nonprofit conservation organizations to apply for Farmland Protection funding. Prequalification for all not-for-profits is required; all municipalities interested must register on the State's new Grants Gateway  website. For more information, please visit agriculture.ny.gov.
Regional Events
October 10
Author Michael Keene will do a reading and presentation on his book, Mad House: The Hidden History of Insane Asylums in 19th Century New York at the James D. Livingston Library at Clermont Cottage, Clermont State Historic Site. More...

Winnakee Land Trust's 2015 Dutchess County Trail Conference provides  an opportunity for trails interests from around the county to come together, discuss local and regionally scaled projects throughout the county, and to network with others who share an interest in trails.. More...

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site in the Hudson Highlands will hold its annual commemoration of the bloody 1777 assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton, complete with drills, demonstrations and battle reenactment. More... 

October 13
Historic Cherry Hill and the History Department of the University at Albany will present "Changing China: Missionary Wives and Education in 19th-Century China.
 
October 16 - 17, 23 - 24, and 30 - 31
Discover new tours inspired by the legends and history of Huguenot Street. Haunted Huguenot Street programming will run for three weekends. More...

October 18
Historic Cherry Hill will host a reception and collections tour for "Changing China: Missionary Wives and Education in 19th-Century China, highlighting Cherry Hill's own missionary Catherine Bonney's extensive collection. More...
 
October 20
 
November 9
Costs and Benefits of Sustaining Conserved Lands: Values to Communities and the Challenges To Sustaining Them; A Mohonk Consultations Conference in partnership with Scenic Hudson, Mohonk Preserve and the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. More...

November 18
 
December 1

December 9
Deadline for Museum of New York Open Call for Nominations for Awards of Merit, which acknowledges outstanding programs and individuals who have made the state's museum community richer and more relevant. More...

Ongoing Events and Exhibitions:
 
Rivercrossings
The Olana Partnership announces special artist-lead tours to illuminate the exhibition River Crossings: Contemporary Art Comes HomeMore...

Albany Institute of History & Art - Albany

Dia:Beacon - Beacon
Current exhibitions include Excursus: Homage to the Square. More...
 
Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center - Poughkeepsie
Current exhibitions include Gordon Parks: The Making of an Argument. More...

Friends of Historic Kingston - Kingston
Jervis McEntee: Kingston's Artist of the Hudson River School is the first presentation of the work of this Kingston native, a leading member of the Hudson River School. More...
 
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum - Hyde Park
The Spirit of the Gift: Gifts of State and Affection showcases gifts given to FDR by governments, organizations, and private individuals. More...
 
Hudson River Museum - Yonkers
Upcoming exhibitions include Dancers Among Us: Photographs by Jordan Matter (Opening October 17).
 
Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art - Peekskill
Current exhibitions include Peeksill Project 6 and Hermann Nitsch's Leviticus. More...
 
Mary Rutherford Jay - Garden Architect at Jay Heritage Center - Rye
Mary Rutherford Jay was a descendant of John Jay and an early American landscape artist. This exhibition highlights her work, which combined horticultural knowledge with architecture and engineering. More...
 
Katonah Museum of Art - Katonah
Current exhibitions include Inside the Outside: Five Self-Taught Artists from The Williams Louis-Dreyfus Foundation, and upcoming exhibitions include SupraEnvironmental (Opening October 25). More... 

Neuberger Museum of Art - Purchase
Current exhibitions include After 1965. More...

Rensselaer County Historical Society - Troy
 
Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art - New Paltz
 
To have your event included in future editions of the newsletter and on hudsonrivervalley.com, please enter upcoming event information here.
Green Tip Of The Month GreenTip
Green Your Halloween
Halloween is right around the corner and  the Sierra Club has provided tips to help Green Your Halloween. Get creative with recycled costumes, decorate mindfully, and lose the junk food while keeping the festive spirit.

 

 
Autumn Leaves at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site

 

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