HSM seeks Civil War photos, information

Dec 12, 2012 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) needs the public’s help in documenting the Civil War experience of people from Middletown and adjoining areas.

HSM is collecting photographs, letters and material about veterans, their families and local residents for an exhibit to be mounted next summer. The Delaware County Historical Association will loan its exhibit, “Delaware County in the Civil War,” and HSM will augment the show with local images and information, in observance of the War’s sesquicentennial.

“By ‘local’ we mean Margaretville, Fleischmanns, New Kingston, Arkville, Halcottsville, Dunraven, Kelly Corners, Dry Brook, Halcott, Denver-Vega, Hardenburgh, Weaver and Canada Hollows, Redkill, Clovesville and the farms and crossroads in between,” explained HSM President Diane Galusha.

“We are hoping there may be photographs of soldiers in uniform or of elderly veterans, and portraits of their families tucked away in attics and dresser drawers that we might scan for this exhibit. We can also copy letters, discharge papers or other memorabilia and return them quickly.”

The exhibit will be on display in HSM’s hall on Cemetery Rd., Margaretville from July 4 through Labor Day. It will be complemented by several Civil War related talks and programs, including a reading from wartime letters to and from local soldiers. If you have letters you would be willing to make available for this program, please email HSM, history@catskill.net.

In addition to putting together the exhibit, the Society has been collecting the service records of more than 300 veterans who were reported as living in Middletown in 1866, the year after the War ended. Research volunteers are needed to help flesh out the personal lives of these men: Did they have families? What did they do before and after the war? Did they have farms or businesses? Did they go West? How did their wives and children manage while they were away?

If you would like to help with this fascinating exploration, please contact Galusha at cybercat@history.com, or 845-586-4973. Much of the research can be done online.

Ride the rails, for free!

Oct 23, 2012 | news archive

Join the crew from the Delaware & Ulster Railroad and members of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown this Saturday, October 27 at 10:30 for the unveiling of the historic marker commemorating the significance of the railroad in the development of the region. In recognition of the most precious commodity ever carried on the rails of the Up & Down, the D&U will offer complimentary passage on the 11AM train to all who attend this monumental event.

The historic marker was made by Catskill Castings of Bloomville

The historic marker is partially funded by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM), which has initiated placement of three other markers at historically significant sites in the town. Members and community volunteers working with HSM, a non-profit organization, preserve and promote local history through programs, exhibits and projects. For information and to find out how to get involved, visit www.mtownhistory.org.

The Delaware & Ulster Railroad is located in Arkville, NY. For more information call 845-586-2929 or visit us the web at durr.org

Doug Kadow, president of the Ulster & Delaware RR Historical Society, shared some history of the former U&D at the dedication of the Arkville historic marker which HSM helped erect.

HSM’s Lucci Kelly, left, joined Doug Kadow, president of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society; Vic Stevens, Chief Mechanical Officer of the Delaware & Ulster Railroad; and Dave Riordan, president of the Catskill Revitalization Corp. which runs the DURR, in unveiling the new marker at the Arkville Station.

Cemetery Tour video to be screened Oct. 6

Sep 30, 2012 | news archive

Those who missed the Living History Tour of Margaretville Cemetery on June 30 will have a chance to see it this Saturday, Oct. 6 when a one-hour video produced by Nick Bibbo will be screened twice at the Historical Society of Middletown (HSM) hall, 778 Cemetery Rd., Margaretville.

Screenings are at 4 and 7 p.m. Admission is $4, which includes free popcorn!

The hall will open at 3 p.m. Come early to enjoy the autumn color at the pond, and to view “Barn Yesterday,” the exhibit based on the photographic survey of Middletown area barns. The exhibit was unveiled at the Cauliflower Festival Sept. 29 to enthusiastic response.

At the June 30 cemetery tour, 10 area residents portrayed people from Middletown’s past. Groups of visitors were led by costumed docents through the historic burial ground, which dates back to 1850.

They met Undertaker Charles Gorsch (played by John Hartner); J. Francis and Adah Murphy, founders of the Pakatakan Artists Colony in Arkville (played by Fred Margulies and Elizabeth Sherr); farmer George Hendricks (played by George Hendricks, Jr.); doctor, legislator, editor and anti-war advocate Orson Allaben (portrayed by John Bernhardt); and famed outdoorsman and animal trainer Niles Fairbairn (portrayed by Michael Fairbairn).

Also, legendary log raft steersman Erastus Clute (played by Joe Hewitt); beloved Margaretville Hospital founder Dr. Gordon Maurer (portrayed by Kent Brown); and attorney Ward DeSilva and his milliner wife Margaret, (portrayed by Ken and Amy Taylor).

The final HSM event of the year will be the Annual Meeting and Luncheon on October 20, when historian Frank Waterman will present a program on “Jay Gould’s Map.” To reserve a place ($15), call Lucci Kelly, 607-326-4734.

Barns take a bow at Cauliflower Fest

Sep 24, 2012 | news archive

Barns, those icons of rural life that have long defined the landscape of the Catskills, will be the focus of the History Tent at the Ninth Annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival to be held rain or shine Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 to 4 in the Village Park, Margaretville.

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown will present the results of a three-year photographic survey of 210 standing barns in Middletown and contiguous areas of Roxbury, Hardenburgh, Andes and Halcott.

In “Barn Yesterday,” visitors can view an exhibit, peruse binders containing photos and historic documentation of the barns, and watch a stunning continuous slide show featuring Middletown’s amazing agricultural legacy in all its homespun glory. Tribute will be made to those still farming, and homage will be paid to barns that have disappeared.

Learn about types of barns and their functional elements. See how some have been adapted to new uses. Enjoy the art and geometry of these common but remarkable buildings. And try your hand at timber framing, the traditional method of building a barn.

Denver builder Wayne Ford will demonstrate this specialized type of post and beam construction using mortise and tenon joinery, held in place with wooden pegs. Engaging willing audience volunteers throughout the day, he will construct two 8×14 “bents” – posts and cross beams in an H shape – and tie them together with girders, top plates and sills to create a rectangular frame.

Timber framing was common until the late 1800s before sawmills started producing dimensional lumber, which was much easier to transport, cut and erect than large posts and beams. Factory-made nails rather than wooden pins were used to assemble these “sticks” into structures in which the walls — rather than a heavy frame — supported the weight of the building. Known as balloon framing, the technique required much more skill and time than working with enormous timbers.

Other home-made attractions

In keeping with the farm theme, a Tractor Parade will roll around the festival grounds at 11:30, and Lauren Davis and crew will provide a hay baling demonstration on his adjoining farm at 2:30.

Seth and Alisha Finch will bring their mammoth Percheron draft horses to give afternoon wagon rides to festival goers. The Finchs and their children, Wyatt and Emma, use the horses to do traditional farm tasks, from spreading manure to working in the hay fields to logging.

Bushels of cauliflower will be offered for sale, and kids of all ages will have a chance to be photographed as the Watershed Agricultural Council’s “Cauliflower Lady.”

Elsewhere on the festival grounds, 36 artisans, vendors and exhibitors will greet visitors. Festival fare will range from cauliflower soup to barbecue chicken to pickles right out of the barrel! Containers of Chobani yogurt will be given away.

Highlighting the entertainment offerings this year will be the popular Catskill Mountain Boys at noon and 2 p.m., and the Blue Ribbon Cloggers at 1 and 3 p.m. Garden experts will offer mini-workshops on a variety of topics at 12:30, 1:15, 2 and 2:45.

Kids will enjoy Strich’s Petting Zoo and pony rides, Catskill Outback Adventures’ zipline across the East Branch, and a ride around the grounds in Papa’s Little Hillbilly Barrel Train.

The festival is sponsored by the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce and supported by Freshtown Marketplace; Kids in the Catskills, Coldwell/Banker Timberland Properties; MTC; Directive, Inc., and HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley.

BARNS AT CAULIFLOWER FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY
Click for a larger view of each image…

barn-model-sml

Visitors view barn slide show, also visible on monitor, foreground

kaufmans-on-planter-smal

Tom Kaufman and his father, Smith Clark Kaufman try the cauliflower planter on for size. The elder Kaufman picked cauliflower growing up on his father, Claude’s farm in Canada Hollow.

Wayne-Ford-with-helpers-sml

Wayne Ford (on knee) enlists the help of visitors in erecting a timber frame at the Cauliflower Festival.

barn-video-sml

Visitors view barn slide show, also visible on monitor, foreground

display-sml

Opening panels of Barn Yesterday exhibit

fan-mill-sml

Bob Vredenburgh, left, demonstrates the fanning mill that came from the Shultis barn on Denver Rd., Kelly Corners

Music and Dance at the Cauliflower Festival

Sep 9, 2012 | news archive

Pickin’, singin’ and dancin’ will make the East Branch Valley ring on Saturday, Sept. 29 when the home-grown Catskill Mountain Boys, and the Blue Ribbon Cloggers are featured at the Ninth Annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival.

The festival runs from 10 to 4 in the Village Park, Margaretville.

The Catskill Mountain Boys (also known as Aurora North) is a bluegrass band that includes Todd Pascarella, John VanBenschoten, Mike Herman and Henry Hermann.

Catskill Mountain Boys

Todd, who plays bass, performed for several years with a rock band known as “The Lost Beat Heroes” and later as “Cold Memory.” After moving to the Catskills from Long Island in 2001, Todd found his way to the basement of John VanBenschoten’s house , where the band “Aurora North” was conceived late one December night.

John VanBenschoten started playing guitar and banjo at age 17. He has played in bluegrass duets from Prescott, Arizona to Sitka, Alaska and has studied the banjo with legendary banjo picker William Bradford Keith – known to many as ‘Bill Keith.’ He sings lead vocals with the band.

Adding harmony is Henry Hermann, who picked up a violin at the age of six, but did not start fiddlin’ until age 22 when he joined the “Almost Heaven Band” in Miami. He moved back to the Catskills in 1993, hooked up with the “Blue Savannah Band,” and played and recorded with several other bands doing everything from hard rock to Country and Celtic. He teamed with Debra Osherow for a CD titled “FiddleHawk.”

Mike Herman spent 18 years playing, teaching, touring and recording the blues. He and partner John Gillespie comprised the regional acoustic blues duo “The Hell Hounds,” which toured the East Coast and Mid-West, playing festivals with blues greats such as Hubert Sumlin, Roy Bookbinder, Bob Margolin, John Hammond, and others. They recorded three CDs. Today, Mike performs bluegrass with The Boys, and blues as a solo singer/songwriter.

The Milford-based Blue Ribbon Cloggers have performed state-wide and once even opened for Country star Randy Travis in Cooperstown. The nine women, and their dancing dog Job, perform their infectious brand of country clogging to all kinds of music, from Celtic to Oldies, polkas and modern favorites.

“If you go by Milford some Tuesday evening you might hear what sounds like machine-gun fire or a chorus of typewriters, but it’s only us, rehearsing for the next show!,” explains group Director Ellie Sosnowski, whose husband Len serves as MC.

In between music and dance sets, which will run throughout the afternoon, The Cauliflower Festival offers art, history, food, kids’ activities and exhibits — a wonderful way to enjoy an autumn day, courtesy of the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce.

Blue Ribbon Cloggers

“Time and Time Again” on permanent display

Aug 23, 2012 | news archive

A reception on Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Middletown Town Hall will open a new permanent exhibit of 12 photo collages created by Michael Musante to show the passage of time and the continuity of history.

The public is most welcome to the reception, which precedes a meeting of the Middletown Town Board at the Town Hall, 42339 NYS Route 28, between Margaretville and Arkville.

New Kingston store and PO, then and now

The show, which exhibited at HSM’s Annual Meeting in Halcottsville last autumn, was supported by a grant from the NYS Council on the Arts Decentralization Program administered by the Roxbury Arts Group.

The Deposit artist generously gave HSM a print of each photo collage, and HSM has framed and donated them to the Town of Middletown in appreciation for its continued support. The prints will hang in the main hallway of the Town Hall.

Visit www.middletowndelawarecountyny.org, and www.mtownhistory.org