Ulster County’s 7^th Annual Cultural Heritage Week Includes Activities And Special Events Offered By Historical And Cultural Organizations Throughout The County

Kingston, N.Y.- Ulster County Executive Mike Hein has announced that Ulster County’s 7^th Annual Cultural Heritage Week will be held from October 13^th through October 22^nd.  County Executive Hein was joined by Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack and the Ulster County Historian Geoffrey Miller on the front steps of the Senate House Museum to highlight the week.  Many activities are scheduled throughout the County to commemorate Ulster’s rich history and tradition and can be viewed on the County Executive’s Cultural Heritage Calendar available online at www.ulstercountyny.gov and www.ulstercountyalive.com.  

Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive

“The Senate House is the perfect backdrop to highlight the remarkable history found throughout Ulster County, especially as we commemorate the 240^th anniversary of the Burning of Kingston this weekend,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein.  “I appreciate Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack’s continuous dedication to keeping the history of Ulster County alive and I want to commend her, City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, Raleigh Green, and the Burning of Kingston Committee for making the Burning of Kingston event possible this weekend.  Cultural Heritage Week is an opportunity for residents and visitors to step into the past and visit the many sites and organizations offering activities this week. I encourage everyone to view our calendar and attend any of the amazing events that our local organizations have arranged. As part of this week, Ulster County is pleased to host two events: a celebration of Hispanic Heritage in our community, honoring local men and women who have made economic and cultural contributions to our communities; and a special presentation to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the New York State Troopers. I want to thank all of the participants in this year’s Cultural Heritage Week for providing activities and events during the week and for all they do throughout the year.”

Nina Postupack, Ulster County Clerk

“It is an honor to be involved in the 7^th annual Cultural Heritage Week,” said Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack. “Through the insight of Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, Cultural Heritage Week continues to provide an outstanding opportunity for local cultural groups and museums to showcase their material and share their histories with the community.”

Geoffrey Miller, Ulster County Historian

“This year’s schedule of events for the 7^th annual Ulster County Cultural Heritage week reveals the full richness of our past, from its earliest beginnings to well into the 20^th century, presented through a variety of experiences, from more traditional and informative lectures and exhibits to exciting reenactments and fun-filled, hands-on family day activities,” said Ulster County Historian Geoffrey Miller.  “It is thanks to County Executive Mike Hein and his commitment to our local history, that those of us who find an understanding of the past, so vital to our appreciation of the present, and essential for our future progress, have this opportunity to focus our time, energy and creativity to share this richness with the public.  Of course, we are doubly blessed in Ulster County, to also have a County Clerk, Nina Postupack, who is committed both to protecting our historical assets with the best archival practices and to making them fully accessible to the public through exhibits, online finding aids and research opportunities.  Again, my thanks to County Executive Mike Hein for this exciting opportunity, and may we all fully partake of the many programs and events the coming week has to offer.”

Deana Preston, Interpretive Programs Assistant at the Senate House

“The Senate House is pleased to host the kick-off of Ulster County’s 7^th Annual Cultural Heritage Week,” said Deana Preston, Interpretive Programs Assistant at the Senate House. “We appreciate County Executive Mike Hein's commitment to highlighting the many historical sites in Ulster County and we are thrilled to participate again in Cultural Heritage Week.  We invite people to visit the Senate House, especially on October 14^th during our 18^th Century Autumn Festival." 

During Ulster County Cultural Heritage Week, some of the activities being offered to the public include:

• The Ulster County Clerk will be displaying several exhibits including: From the Ashes: Kingston After the Burning featuring records from the County archives that show what the residents did to reconstruct their community and rebuild their lives; Gysbert’s Inventory: A Reflection of 1665 Dutch Life at the Matthewis Persen House; Farmers & Physician: Uncommon Occupations for Women in the Early 20^th Century; and more
• Canal Forge’s Working blacksmith shop
• Friends of Historic Kingston’s “Treasures” Exhibit honoring “Kingston’s Part in World War I”
• Gomez Mill House Tour the oldest extant Jewish dwelling in North America
• Hurley Heritage Society The O&W Railway in Ulster County: Stations Along the Way exhibit
• Lamouree-Hackett Post 72 American Legion Veterans History Museum
• The Matthewis Persen House Museum & Cultural Center Artifact Exhibit by Dr. Joseph Diamond, Associate Professor at SUNY New Paltz, as well as other exhibits and activities
• NYS Covered Bridge Society displays and information about existing and past covered bridges in Ulster County which will be set up inside Perrine’s Covered Bridge
• Reher Center for Immigrant Culture & History Dedication of two Peace Poles
• Senate House 18th Century Autumn Festival
• The Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center Indigenous Day Celebration
• The Old Dutch Church Historic Cemetery Tours
• Historic Huguenot Street’s – Haunted Huguenot Street
• .........and much more.

The National Register of Historic Places lists more than 160 sites in Ulster County alone. A calendar of events for Ulster County’s Cultural Heritage Week can be viewed at http://ulstercountyny.gov/cultural-heritage-week and can be found on the County’s websites: visit www.ulstercountyny.gov and www.ulstercountyalive.com.  For more information contact the County Executive’s office at 845-340-3800.   

Pictured above: County Executive Hein joined by Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack, County Historian Geoffrey Miller, and some of the participants in Ulster County Cultural Heritage Week.