Presented by Ryan J. Orton, Secretary of Dutchess County Pomona Grange #32

What is the Grange? Most people think it's a farmerʼs organization. Not so! The Grange has been a political and social force for rural America since its organization in Washington, in 1867. At one time Dutchess County had 26 Grange units, with the Town of Clinton having the most with three in the hamlets of Clinton Corners, Pleasant Plains, and Schultzville. This program will outline the Grange historically and today, as well as its influence nationally and locally.

On February 5 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Presented by Peter Bunten, chairman of the Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project. A native of Poughkeepsie, he lectures on the local history of slavery, the antislavery movement, and the Underground Railroad.

In the middle decades of the 18th Century, Quaker communities – such as the Creek Meeting – were spreading across eastern Dutchess County and to points beyond. The area would go on to boast the largest settlement of Quakers outside Philadelphia. Almost from the beginning, these Quakers – along with their neighbors – found themselves at the forefront of the slavery-antislavery debate. We’ll explore some of the cultural and political aspects of this development, which link our local history to national events.

Presented by Mott historian Professor Carol Faulkner.

On March 5 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Lucretia Mott was viewed in her time as a dominant figure in the struggle for equality. She was the “moving spirit” of the first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls and envisioned women’s rights as an extension of the universal principles of liberty and equality

After the business meeting Craig Marshall, town historian  and CHS Vice President will present "History of the Town of Clinton".

The Town of Clinton was incorporated in 1788 as one of the eight original towns in Dutchess County. Clinton was settled as part of the 1697 Great Nine Partners Patent, with the earliest road in the county passing through it in 1713. Many vintage photographs will be exhibited relating to early schools, churches, a dance hall, railroads, mills, and more. Examples of its notable early architecture will also be shown.

On April 9 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Presented by Jim Ormond, independent filmmaker

In 1929 Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees traveled to Sing Sing to play an exhibition game against the inmate team. Ruth blasted a fastball with such a force that it cleared the prison’s 40-foot wall. This new documentary looks at the game through the lens of social history, examining the events in major league baseball and the American prison system that led up to the Sing Sing game.

On May 7 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Presented by David Turner

David Turner will speak on the many forgotten hamlets in the northern part of Dutchess County. Hear about the fascinating history of these locations. Included will be dozens of turn-of-the-century images of little-known hamlets from northern Dutchess County. In many cases he has before and after pictures of the buildings he will speak about—what their function once was and what it is today.

On June 4 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Come see us at the book sale! We will have railroading and local history books for sale. Pick up a membership brochure and become a member.

Saturdays & Sundays
August 7 - 29, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Over 200 vintage images document the history of Hudson River steamboats from the first Robert Fulton vessel through the Golden age, to the eventual decline. Read all about it in the Northern Dutchess News!

Presented by Jeri Diehl-Cusack, formerly of the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Partnership

On September 10 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Meet three other women who married into the Roosevelt family: Eleanor’s grandmother, Martha Bullock “Mittie” Roosevelt, whom she never knew; Eleanor’s mother, Anna Rebecca Hall Roosevelt, whom she barely knew; and Eleanor’s mother-in-law, Sara Delano Roosevelt, whom she knew perhaps a bit too well.

Presented by Craig Cavallo and Dan Pucci, authors

This is a HYBRID event. You can attend in person at the Golden Russet Cafe or on Zoom using the link shown below.

New York's Hudson Valley is home to commercial apple growing in the United States. With a moderate climate and a quickly developing urban hub in what became New York City, the region was primed for supplying local markets with fresh eating varieties. Today the Hudson Valley produces nearly half of New York State’s total apple production, and some of the best cider in the country is made right in our backyard. Listen in as Craig and Dan explain how this came to be and where orchards and cider are heading in the future. Masks are required along with 6 foot social distancing seating.

LIVE EVENT LOCATION: Golden Russet Cafe 835 Fiddlers Bridge Rd Schultzville

ZOOM LINK: On October 1 at 7:30pm click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Cider Tasting follows the presentation! 

If you would like to participate in the cider tasting there is a $15 charge per person. Net proceeds from the tasting benefit the Clinton Historical Society.

NOTE: this is a ZOOM only presentation.

Presented by Bill Jeffway, Executive Director of Dutchess County Historical Society (DCHS), and Melodye Moore, Chair of DCHS Collections

Only Native People themselves can share the perspective, values, and history of their community. But there is a role for the non-native community as well in helping to protect and preserve archaeological sites and ensuring that our history is inclusive of a variety of perspectives. In addition to preservation priorities and methods, we’ll examine iconic examples of the “one story, one truth” model and discuss the tensions that can arise when balancing a wish to unite in a common identity involves the erasure of distinct communities.

On November 5 at 7:30PM, click here to join the ZOOM presentation!

On December 3 at 7:30pm please click here to join the Zoom presentation!

Presented by Dick Coller, a longtime member of the Town of Clinton Historical Society and trustee emeritus.

Dick will present an overview of how mankind has compensated for the uneven distribution of natural resources.

For example, coal, petroleum, iron ore and building materials are mainly concentrated in relatively remote locations and must be brought to central utilization locations. This has always been a huge expenditure of labor and material, whether by water or animal-driven transport or railroads.

The Holiday Potluck and Gift Auction previously scheduled for December 3 has been canceled.

Featuring local crafters selling their handmade wares. CHS volunteers will sell member-donated crafts, seasonal tag sale items, homemade soups, and baked goods. For more information please contact Judith at judithgrabowski@verizon.net.