From the Archives
HSM COLLECIONS OF HISTORICAL MATERIALS
Pictured here are a few of the thousands of items in the HSM collection of historical materials. The collection includes photographs, diaries, store ledgers, business records, school documents, yearbooks, maps, letters, records of civic organizations, advertising items and the like. The collection includes some artifacts too, such as signs, small tools, housewares, toys and the like.
It is the only history collection dedicated to Middletown and the surrounding area. HSM is committed to preserving these treasures, adding to the collection and documenting our holdings so that researchers may make use of them. These materials will also inform our programming and exhibitions into the future.
To donate items relevant to the history of Middletown and contiguous towns, please contact us:
history@catskill.net; 845-586-4973.
John B. Hinkley of Halcottsville
This broadside for the auction of John B. Hin(c)kley’s dairy herd and equipment is in the Roxbury historian’s collection. It paints a good picture of what the average farm contained in 1917, and what the average farmer considered important. Top of the list was Mr....
Message from 1909
This postcard image of a house in Margaretville was sent to Mrs. Laura Fowler in Prattsville by someone who wrote on the front: “Do you recognize these two old friends, J.H.S. and L.H K.? Margaretville, April 18, 1909. I hope you are well. We are well as usual.” Who...
“American Idol” 1949
Do you remember when TV was in its infancy, in the late 1940s and early 1950s? If you were a kid then (and your family actually owned a TV!) you may recall “Teen-Age Barn,” a popular variety show on WRGB from Schenectady that featured young, local talent.It debuted on...
Who lived here?
The flood buyout program that has cleared at least two dozen lots on Margaretville’s Main Street and contiguous streets in the last 15 years has claimed another historic property, including the brown house in this photo, located between Margaretville Central School...
“The thrill of my life”
That’s what Helen Keller said after landing two fair sized trout in Dry Brook in late July, 1935. The Catskill Mountain News reported July 5 that she had rented “King’s Lodge,” the former Kelly farm, one of the Gould properties, for the summer. With a sizeable staff...
From soldier to fish farmer
Research into the lives of Middletown’s Civil War veterans has revealed more than a few intriguing and inventive men behind the uniforms.Alder Lake with farm house, barn and hatcheryOne of those was Julius G. Smith. Born in Glen Aubrey, NY May 18, 1840 to George and...
Lost in the Sierras
A sad story of a climber lost in the mountains of California resonated with folks in Middletown more than a century ago. Kenneth Archibald, the son of Rev. Andrew Archibald, a native of New Kingston and a clergyman, disappeared while on a tramping excursion June 20,...
Seymour Dane, Cowboy and Fruit Farmer
Seymour Dane, on the high plains of MontanaHe was born in Arena on the East Branch of the Delaware River but he made his fortune raising cattle on the arid high plains of Montana, and ended his days growing oranges in sunny Florida. This unlikely arc by a man named...
The other winter sport
Skiers aren’t the only ones who love winter. Those who hurl heavy balls down long lanes towards meticulously arranged wooden pins brave all kinds of weather to gather at the local bowling alley every week to have some very noisy fun.Since 1986, Mike Finberg has...