HISTORY CORNER:
Tin Horn
OBSERVATIONS AND DISCOVERIES
Winter into Spring
As the new season struggles to overcome the old, it’s worth remembering that ‘twas ever thus. Evidence of this can be found in the diaries of James Thomson, a New Kingston farmer who kept track of his family’s activities from 1838 to 1903, a remarkable 65 years, with...
It was a hot time in the old barn that night
In answer to the question, “What on earth did people do before TV and computers?,” we offer the following item from the Catskill Mountain News of July 4, 1947:Six Hundred Attend Barn Dance at Dunraven About 600 people attended the barn dance at the Frank Trowbridge...
Who were the Odd Fellows?
An interesting stash of books and records found by Brian Sweeney in 2004 when he acquired a large building on High Street in Arkville sheds some light on a once-prevalent fraternal organization with a pretty strange name: The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)....
Bragging rights
While researching the origins of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad (first named the Rondout and Oswego and then the New York, Kingston and Syracuse), Burr Hubbell came across a description of the line from Kingston to Roxbury in the July 4, 1872 Kingston Freeman. It...
An artful fundraiser
It was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, but The Commons was alive with vibrant color and the buzz of folks enjoying the start of the holiday season. It was our second benefit art auction, and interest was high in the 27 works created by members of the East...
What’s that tower in your yard?
That’s what I asked Maggie Braton up on Searles Road as I was out walking the dog one Indian summer Sunday. She has an unusual white wooden tower in her neatly manicured yard. An odd sight. Turns out the top of the tower contains a tank capable of holding several...
Good Friends, Good Music
Our 6th Annual Meeting October 23 was a great time to renew acquaintances, meet some new folks and enjoy a program by folksinger Linda Russell who performed campaign music from the past on guitar, and lap and hammered dulcimers. Some might remember Linda as the “star”...
Taking our place in cyberspace
Finally, HSM has a website! After years of talking about it, we now have a presence on the web, the one and only place devoted to the history of the Town of Middletown. Thanks to Sue and Craig of Bovina-based CMS Internet Solutions, Inc., our programs and activities...
History as art!
We are very excited that the talented East Branch Delaware River Plein Air Painters have once again taken brush in hand to benefit our Historical Society. Over the past several months, ten artists have sketched and painted historic buildings and sites in Middletown....
Cauliflower Power!
The Eighth Annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival was a huge success September 25! Hundreds of people enjoyed music and dance, art and kids’ stuff, tractors, stories and food, food, food. The History Tent was energized by spinning, quilting, broom making,...