Ulster County’s Fourth Cultural Heritage Week Includes Events Offered By Historical and Cultural Organizations Throughout The County
Saugerties, NY- County Executive Mike Hein announces that the fourth annual Ulster County Cultural Heritage Week will be held from October 17th through October 26th. Many events are scheduled throughout the County to commemorate Ulster’s rich legacy and tradition: in Saugerties, Marlboro, New Paltz, Kingston, Milton, Ellenville and more. “I invite and encourage all residents and visitors to the area to see some of the amazing sites in Ulster County that remind us of our cultural past and the rich history that surrounds us,” said County Executive Hein. “It is an opportunity for all ages to learn, appreciate and experience some of the historical and cultural events that make Ulster County such a fine place to live, work and visit.”
To highlight this week’s activities, the Saugerties Historical Society held an opening event at their Dutch Barn Art & Cultural Heritage Gallery in Saugerties today with County Executive Hein which included an exhibit of historical postcards of Saugerties, photographs of the barn raising by well-known photographer Rivka Katvan, and well as other historical artifacts. The Dutch Barn dates back to approximately the 1770’s and is one of six surviving examples known to Ulster County with a major/minor rafter system and is one of a few pre-revolutionary barns known to still exist in the Hudson Valley. The barn was original owned by and donated by Northeast Solite in Mt. Marion, NY. The Saugerties Historical Society was able to have the barn disassembled, numbered and moved to the current site behind the Kiersted House Museum with the help of project manager C. Howard Post with the assistance of Alex Wade, and the support of the community.
During Ulster County Cultural Heritage Week, other activities being offered to the public include: Ulster County Clerk’s The Thanks of the Nation – We Honor and Remember Ulster County’s Civil War Veterans; Byrdcliffe Arts Colony and White Pines’ Walking Tour through more than 100 years of historic buildings and grounds; and the Friends of Historic Kingston’s Kingston: The IBM Years. The Matthewis Persen House Museum will have The Volunteer Units Exhibit and Up Close and Personal With the Volunteer Units Exhibit, the Ulster County Historical Society is having a presentation Ulster County Militia of the American Revolution, the Hurley Historical Society is having a Guided Walking Tour and a Ghost Walk, and the Ellenville Public Library and Museum is displaying a Native American Wampum Belt. In addition, Saugerties Pro Musica is presenting Swingtime Duet and their jazz renditions of the Great American Songbook, Heritage Folk Music will be performing at a couple of locations, and Ulster County Historian Anne Gordon will be presenting New Netherlands/New York at the Gomez Mill House.
“Cultural Heritage Week is a wonderful way to remind people that there is so much history all around us and there is always something more to learn,” said Marjorie Block, President of Saugerties Historical Society and Chair of Saugerties Tourism. We appreciate County Executive Hein’s efforts to bring attention to many of the historical sites and information in the area and we are pleased to have people visit the Kiersted House Museum as well as the Dutch Barn Art & Cultural Heritage Gallery.”
"Cultural Heritage Week is a fantastic way for Ulster County residents and visitors alike to learn about the vast cultural history of our County. The many cultural heritage organizations in our area have a great deal to offer and I appreciate County Executive Hein's support of local history," said Ulster County Tourism Director Richard Remsnyder.
The National Register of Historic Places lists more than 160 sites in UlsterCounty alone. A calendar of events and additional information about Ulster County Cultural Heritage Week activities is attached and can be found on the County’s websites, at www.UlsterCountyNY.gov or www.UlsterCountyAlive.com or by calling the CountyExecutive’s office at 845-340-3800.
Pictured Below: Marjorie Block, President of Saugerties Historical Society and County Executive Hein
