Historical Society plans October events 

Historical Society plans October events 

History takes center stage during October when the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown offers a film, a quarry walk and an opportunity to explore the Nicholas J. Juried Archives at the Middletown History Center, 778 Cemetery Rd., Margaretville.

John Clark’s draft notice, 1864, preserved in HSM archives

The center and its archives will be open Sat., Oct. 3 from 10 to 1 for those with local history or genealogy questions. A digital library of photos, documents, maps and other materials is available for perusal, as is a library of local and regional history books. “Eye on Arkville” is the exhibit on display in the program hall.

On Sunday, Oct. 11, “Calico Rebellion,” a documentary exploring the Anti-Rent War, will be screened at 2 p.m. Admission is by donation. Several local people appear in the film. Descendants of participants of the farmers’ uprising of the 1840s will attend, along with director Victoria Kupchinetski and producer Misha Gutkin. This is an opportunity to see the film for those who were unable to attend the first SRO showing August 30.

“No Stone Left Unturned,” A field history program, will be offered Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. when John Biruk of Halcottsville will explain the tools and techniques of the quarryman on a short walk to an abandoned quarry near Margaretville. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Call 845-586-2400 to reserve a space. You will be provided with directions and additional information. Rain date is October 18.

HSM schedules second screening of film on Anti-Rent War for October 11

HSM schedules second screening of film on Anti-Rent War for October 11

“Calico” heirs at HSM on August 30, 2026.

“Calico Rebellion,” a documentary exploring the Anti-Rent War, called by some the “Second American Revolution,” will be screened at the Middletown History Center Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. Admission is by donation.

Descendants of participants of the farmers’ uprising of the 1840s will attend, along with director Victoria Kupchinetski and producer Misha Gutkin.

 

This screening offers an opportunity to see the film for those who were unable to attend the first showing August 30, which attracted a capacity crowd to the History Center at 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville.   Several local people appear in the film.

The Anti-Rent War changed the course of American history and ended a feudal system of land ownership by wealthy patent holders who had been renting parcels to settlers bound by onerous long-term leases. To fight the economic injustice, farmers dressed in leather masks and calico gowns staged the Anti-Rent rebellion. 

 

 The system of perpetual leases was ended by the New York State legislature but not before several violent episodes occurred, including the killing of Delaware County Undersheriff Osman Steele in Andes.

Today, although largely forgotten outside the immediate area, the historic uprising lives on through direct descendants of those rebellious farmers, and through their stories, songs, and surviving calico costumes preserved since the 1840s.

Visit calicorebellion.com for more information and to view a trailer of the film.

HSM plans field history program at stone quarry on October 17

HSM plans field history program at stone quarry on October 17

Virgil Mead cutting bluestone

A former Halcottsville quarryman will explain the tools and techniques of traditional stone cutters at a field history program , “No Stone Left Unturned,” Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. at a Margaretville area quarry.

Registration is required as space is limited. Call 845-586-2400 to reserve your spot. The exact location and other information will be provided to registrants. A $10 fee will be collected at the site the day of the program. Rain date is October 18. A representative from the Catskill Forest Association will also be present to discuss forest cover and trees typically found at quarry sites.

John Biruk, a 1961 graduate of Roxbury Central School, will lead a short walk to a quarry said to have provided the material for Margaretville’s curbs and sidewalks more than a century ago. Biruk grew up on a Bragg Hollow farm. “When I was 19 or 20, I realized I could make money from stone,” he recalled. “I made my living for 15 years at a New Kingston Mountain quarry.”

Biruk will bring some tools of the trade, show how to spot a productive bluestone ledge, and explain how the layers are separated and extracted. He’ll also tell how stone is transported from remote hillside quarries and how it is bought and sold. 

Outdoor lovers invited to walk on the wild side at Middletown History Center September 20

Outdoor lovers invited to walk on the wild side at Middletown History Center September 20

Outdoor lovers invited to walk on the wild side at Middletown History Center September 20

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown will take a walk on the wild side Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. with an interactive program about hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.

“Of Woods and Wild Things” will spotlight stories of animal encounters and special experiences afield, in recognition of the influence of forest and stream on the lifestyle of Catskill residents and recreationists. All are welcome to share personal tales of adventure, misadventure and memorable moments afield.

The program will be held at the:
Middletown History Center
778 Cemetery Road
Margaretville.

Admission is by donation.

Two short vintage films featuring local residents will be screened. “Game Warden,” starring conservation officer Bryan Burgin, and “White Tail Buck,” starring Arthur Sullivan teaching son Regis how to hunt were both filmed locally in the 1950s.

In addition to stories from the audience, there will be a slide show of images from the HSM archives and tales drawn from the Catskill Mountain News about some legendary outdoorsmen – Mike Todd, Walt Dumond, and Burt Tubbs among them.

Middletown History Center is open September 5

Middletown History Center is open September 5

The Middletown History Center, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville, home of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown, welcomes visitors Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, Sept. 5 from 10am to 1pm.

Sit by the pond, bring lunch to enjoy at the picnic table, view an exhibit on historic Arkville and check out the genealogical and historical documents in the Nicholas J. Juried Archives. Raffle tickets for a hand-crafted clock can be purchased as well.

The History Center is open the first Saturday of the month through November, or by appointment: historicalsocietyofmiddletown@gmail.com; 845-586-2400. Assistance is available for those researching genealogy or house history, looking for community or business photos or seeking other information in the extensive archives.

The History Center’s hall can be rented for meetings or events. 

HSM schedules second screening of film on Anti-Rent War for October 11

Aug. 30: Film on Anti Rent War explores history’s impact on the present

In the lush woods of the Catskills, a mythical memory lives on, of a time when men — armed with rifles and pitchforks, disguised in eerie masks and gowns — descended from bucolic hills to stage the Anti-Rent War, called by some the “Second American Revolution.”

“Calico Rebellion,” a film exploring this often-overlooked period in our history, will be screened at the Middletown History Center Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m.  It is directed by Victoria Kupchinetski, a native of Russia, whose background gives her a unique perspective on this story of land, belonging and revolt.

“I immediately felt a strong connection to the story, as my own ancestors had been deprived of their land in the Soviet Union in the 1920s,” explains Kupchinetski who has lived in the US for 36 years.

The farmers’ uprising of the 1840s changed the course of American history and ended a feudal system of land ownership by wealthy patent holders who rented parcels to settlers bound by onerous long-term leases. The system was ended by State legislation but not before several violent episodes occurred, including the killing of Delaware County Undersheriff Osman Steele in Andes.

Today, although largely forgotten outside the immediate area, the historic uprising lives on through direct descendants of those rebellious farmers, and through their stories, songs, and surviving costumes preserved since the 1840s. Some of those descendants will discuss the stories of their ancestors following the screening.

Visit calicorebellion.com for more information and to view a trailer of the film.