The Historical Memorial Honors The Memories Of Those Who Lived At The Poorhouse In The Past And Serves As A Reminder That There Are Still Those Who Need Assistance Today
Kingston, NY- County Executive Mike Hein was joined by Nina Postupack, Ulster County Clerk; Ken Ronk, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature; Geoffrey Miller, Ulster County Historian; Susan Stessin-Cohn, Town of New Paltz Historian; Sculptor and Artist Trina Greene; and members of the Poorhouse Memorial Committee to announce efforts to create a Poorhouse Memorial at the Ulster County Fairgrounds Complex, near the County Pool. The County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, New York was previously the site of the Ulster County Poorhouse between 1828 and 1976. A poorhouse was a tax-supported residential institution where people lived if they could not support themselves without community assistance. Thousands of individuals historically classified as the indigent, the destitute, the insane, the intemperate, transient farm workers, freed slaves, unemployed canal and aqueduct builders, "debauched" women, unwed mothers, the friendless, the elderly, the disabled and the sick, called this site their home.
Town of New Paltz Historian Susan Stessin-Cohn and Sculptor/Artist Trina Greene collaborated to develop a vision for a Poorhouse Memorial to honor the past while acting as a reminder that there are still those in need today. Over the years, Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack and Town of New Paltz Historian Stessin-Cohn, spent many years researching and developing educational materials on the Ulster County Poorhouse. Pouring through fragile yellowed pages of hand written records, Stessin-Cohn uncovered the rich and often tragic history of the site. She summarized her research on the Ulster County website http://ulstercountyny.gov/poorhouse and lectures at schools and community groups.
New Paltz Sculptor and Artist Trina Greene was deeply moved after hearing Stessin-Cohn speak and was inspired to create a life-size statue of a lone woman clutching a shawl as she faces an uncertain future. The woman’s figure fades and morphs into wildflowers and creatures of the fields. Stessin-Cohn had always envisioned a memorial at the County fairgrounds and a group of supporters who shared her vision was formed, the Poorhouse Memorial Committee, to raise funds to have the statue cast in bronze.
The cost of this project is estimated at $30,000. In order to make this memorial a reality, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein offered support for this historical project with a financial $15,000 commitment. This will commemorate an almost forgotten part of Ulster County’s history by incorporating it into a capital project already planned for the county pool. However, the Poorhouse Memorial Committee still needs to raise an additional $10,000 to complete the statue in bronze. Upon completion it will be incorporated into the landscaping near the Ulster County pool and become part of an educational historic exhibit to ensure this part of our history will never be forgotten.
Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive
“This is part of Ulster County’s history, and although the buildings no longer stand, it is important to remember what it was like in the past and how far we’ve come today,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “I appreciate the work of the Committee who together with Historian Susan Stessin-Cohn and Sculptor Trina Greene will help create a beautiful and powerful statute to represent those who were less fortunate and lived in the Poorhouse years ago, as well as a constant reminder of those who are struggling today. Ulster County offers a variety of essential services to ensure those in need receive the assistance they require during difficult times and it is extraordinary how far we as a society have evolved.”
Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr., Chairman, Ulster County Legislature
“I want to thank Susan Stessin-Cohn, Trina Greene and the rest of the Memorial Committee for the vision and dedication that has gone into creating this memorial,” said Chairman Kenneth J. Ronk, Ulster County Legislature. “I thank County Executive Mike Hein and County Clerk Nina Postupack for supporting it. It is an example of how different groups can work together and can accomplish more that they can if they stand alone.”
Nina Postupack, Ulster County Clerk
“Susan Stessin- Cohen has a talent for uncovering the story behind these ledger entries and brings the lives of these people to light,” said Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack. “She tells the stories of families, slaves, immigrants and others in need and captures the times they lived in. The Poorhouse and the story it tells has always been an integral part of the Ulster County Archives.”
Geoffrey Miller, Ulster County Historian
“This is an amazing effort to restore and preserve a part of Ulster County’s history,” said Ulster County Historian Geoffrey Miller. “I appreciate County Executive Hein’s interest in helping make this statute a reality and I commend the Committee as well as County Clerk Nina Postupack, New Paltz Historian Susan Stessin-Cohn and Sculptor Trina Greene for their amazing research, efforts and talent.”
Susan Stessin-Cohn, Town of New Paltz Historian
“After twenty years of research, I am pleased to have a place that will represent the thousands of people in need who lived and died at this historic location,” said Susan Stessin-Cohn, Town of New Paltz Historian. “It is important to remember the past and bring attention to the plight of those in need today.”
Trina Greene, Sculptor/Artist
Trina Greene, Sculptor/Artist, describes the monument, “An ageing and stooped woman, holding together a thin shawl with one hand, looks into a future that is devoid of hope. Her expression shows strength, compassion, and helplessness at the same time. Her other arm and hand seem to ward off an uncertain fate. Details of features and shawl become blurred, melting into the mists of the past, and vague imagery of birds and flowers on the shawl seem to suggest the potters’ field in which she will be buried.” Ms. Greene continued, “It is our hope that this monument will serve to teach and remind viewers about the time in Ulster County, and the rest of the nation, during which there were no safety nets at all for the poor and disenfranchised - from the elderly to infants.”
Located nearby, is the gravestone of Rebekah Maclang Brower which includes the poem “Who’ll Weep For Me?” referring to the age-old question of who will remember a person after they have passed. It is believed that Rebekah entered the Poorhouse due to insanity, however, she is representative of the approximately 2,500 people who resided there over the years, including orphaned children, the destitute, the mentally ill or other castoffs.
The Poorhouse Memorial Committee needs to raise an additional $10,000 to complete the statue and any additional funds will be used to compensate the artist and support programs for those in need today. You can follow the progress of the project on Facebook at “Ulster County Poorhouse Memorial Project” and donations can be sent to the United Way of Ulster County - “UC United Way/Poorhouse Memorial,” 450 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401.
Learn more about the Ulster County Poorhouse at: http://ulstercountyny.gov/poorhouse.
Pictured below (from left): Susan Stessin-Cohn, Town of New Paltz Historian; Trina Greene, Artist/Sculptor; Annette Finestone, Model for statute; County Executive Mike Hein; Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack; Chairman Kenneth J. Ronk, Ulster County Legislature; Geoffrey Miller, Ulster County Historian; and Joseph Tantillo, Poster Artist.
