2016 Exhibitions and Events
“Sarah of Overlook Mountain”
“Handmade Woodstock” – Holiday Exhibit & Sale
Opening Reception:
Saturday, December 3, 12-6 pm
Delectable holiday treats will be served.
Continuing:
Sunday, Dec 4, 12-4 pm
Saturday, Dec 10 & Sunday Dec 11, 12-4 pm
This exhibition features hand-made quilts, including the Woodstock Bicentennial Quilt. There will also be an exhibit of holiday cards from Tatra Prints … the Woodstock silk screening studio operated by Rosemary and Jerry Jerominek during the 50s and 60s.
The holiday sale will include notecards and Christmas cards, locally made raspberry jam, apple butter, maple syrup, hand knit adult and children’s mittens, hand knit hats, aprons, tins of home made cookies, and other locally crafted items. Also included will be an excellent collection of local history books, DVDs and CDs.
Featuring the new book “Sarah of Overlook Mountain” … a charming collection of stories and reminiscences of Sarah MacDaniel Cashdollar written and illustrated by Jean White, Sarah’s granddaughter.
There will be a reading and book signing on Sunday, December 4 at 2 pm. All proceeds from this book will benefit the Historical Society of Woodstock.
Photo: Marion Bullard and “the boys” (HSW Archives)
Apple Pressing … and a talk, “Long Before Hillary – Woodstock’s Marion Bullard”
Opening Reception:
Saturday, October 22, 1 pm
Two events will highlight the Historical Society’s wrap-up to its fall season on Saturday, October 22. Beginning at 1:00 pm, HSW will hold its annual apple-pressing event offering fresh cider for all. Each year, kids of all ages enjoy this special event as they take part in a Catskills’ tradition.
Also on Saturday, beginning at 3:00 pm, town historian, Richard Heppner, will offer a presentation on the life of artist, children’s author and political activist, Marion Bullard. Long before anyone ever heard of Hillary Clinton, Bullard, during the first half of the twentieth century, was the rare female voice in Woodstock politics. Taking on issue after issue, in a town long dominated by conservative men, Bullard championed such causes as government transparency (or lack thereof) in Woodstock, the environment, education and more. Through her newspaper article titled, “Sparks” andthe medium of early radio, Bullard was often a major thorn in the side of the Woodstock establishment. Woodstock Times Article
Visitors to Saturday’s event will also be able to view HSW’S current exhibit, “Glimpses of the Maverick,” focusing on life at the Maverick colony. The exhibit will be open to all on Sunday, October 23 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Hague Workshop
Exhibition: “Glimpses of The Maverick” – places & people
Opening reception: Saturday, October 1, 1 pm
continuing Saturdays & Sundays, 1-5 pm through October 23
Throughout October, the Historical Society of Woodstock will offer a unique series of reflections on Woodstock history. Beginning Saturday, October 1 at 1:00 pm, HSW will host an opening reception for an exhibit that takes a look at the Maverick colony, including images of a number of Maverick homes and buildings, maps and deeds indicating survey lines and homes of individuals who lived there over the years, Maverick art work (including a portrait of Hervey White at Bearcamp by Arnold Blanch), Maverick costumes worn during the Maverick festivals, as well as panoramic images of Maverick revelers in the 1920s.
Historical Society Hosts Maverick Discussion and History Harvest
On Saturday, October 15 at 1:00 pm, the Historical Society of Woodstock will continue its Maverick theme with a panel discussion, titled: “Maverick Reflections.” The discussion will focus on living and working on the Maverick.
Participating in the discussion will be Cornelia Rosenblum, Tony Robinson, Phyllis Tower and Margaret Merrill Mecklem Piera.
Deborah and Richard Heppner will serve as moderators. As part of the program, the public is invited to also share their memories of the Maverick. Reflections will be added to HSW’s “Maverick Notebook.”
Also on October 15, visitors to the Society can help add to HSW’s photographic collection by bringing their Woodstock photographs to the Historical Society as part of HSW’s History Harvest. All photos will be scanned on site and returned immediately. Both the copies of the photos and information about the images will be added to the Society’s extensive archives under the donor’s name. Scanning will take place from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Those attending on Saturday will also be able to view HSW’s October exhibit, “Glimpses of the Maverick.” The exhibit will be open to all on Sunday, October 16 as well.
HSW Annual Membership Meeting
October 16, 3 pm
Allen Family at Maverick Festival
On October 22, at 1:00 pm, HSW will hold its annual apple-pressing event offering fresh cider for all. A great kids event!
Also on October 22 at 3:00 pm, in advance of the 100th anniversary of granting women the right to vote in New York State, Town Historian Richard Heppner will offer a look at the life of one of Woodstock’s first, politically active women, Marion Bullard. Bullard, an artist and children’s book author in her own right, advocated on behalf of many causes in Woodstock during the first half of the 20th century and was often the lone female voice in a town that only years earlier had voted against granting women the right to vote.
“Excavating the Hidden History of Our Modern-day Roads:
Research Adventures in the Pre-Internet Age.”
Presentation by Myles Putman
Member, Town of Saugerties Preservation Commission
Saturday, August 27, at 1 pm
Myles Putman will present an illustrated presentation entitled “Excavating the Hidden History of Our Modern-Day Roads: Research Adventures in the Pre-Internet Age.” The lecture will cover the technical innovations in transportation that arose in the late 1800’s. These affected the modes of transportation and the pathways in use at that time. In particular, the advent of the automobile did much to change the design, construction, maintenance, responsibility and repair of our roads during the early and mid-1900’s. Putman is a self-admitted “road-geek,” who has been studying and investigating roads, particularly the early state highways of New York and the county road systems in Ulster County, for many years. Myles is a member of the Town of Saugerties Historic Preservation Commission, a member of the Steering Committee of the Friends of Historic Saugerties, and currently serves as Vice-President of Ars Choralis. He also owns MLPC, a planning and zoning consulting firm.
The talk takes place at the Historical Society of Woodstock at 20 Comeau Drive. Light refreshments will be served and there is a suggested donation of $5.
“The Delaware & Hudson Canal: Nineteenth Century Engine of Prosperity”
Presentation by Bill Merchant,
President of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Historical Society
Sunday, July 10, 1 pm
Bill Merchant, President of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Historical Society, will discuss the history of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. His PowerPoint presentation, “The Delaware & Hudson Canal: Nineteenth Century Engine of Prosperity,” will outline the history of the canal and make note of the many industries that benefited from its construction. Period pictures from the Delaware and Hudson Canal Society’s archives will illustrate his talk. The canal is credited with the rise of the Rondout as a Hudson River port. Construction commenced on the canal in 1825 and it took three years to build. The canal linked the Pennsylvania coal fields with the Hudson Valley and by 1870 three million tons of coal were being moved. It was a major engine in the prosperity of Rondout. However, with the rise of the railroads its value as a transportation hub declined and it closed in 1898.
The suggested donation for this lecture is $5. For more info please call 845-679-8111 or email [email protected]
“A Brief History of Saugerties”
Presentation & Book Signing by
Michael Sullivan Smith
Sunday, July 17, 1 pm
Michael Sullivan Smith will discuss the rich history of Saugerties—from its days of discovery in 1609, through its time as a ground-breaking industrial powerhouse in the 1800s. In addition, Smith will explore the common history and connections between Saugerties and Woodstock. For example, his illustrated talk will touch on the Saugerties and Woodstock Turnpike and the shared artistic heritage of the two towns. Smith is the author of “A Brief History of Saugerties”, published last month by The History Press. He is a past Saugerties Town Historian and is one of Saugerties’s first historic preservation commissioners. After the talk, Michael will take questions and sign copies of his book.
The suggested donation for this lecture is $5
Photo Credits: Lillis and Ray Allen, 1948 / Karl Fortess Self-portrait, 1946 (HSW Collection)
“Here’s Looking At You” – Portraits and self-portraits on canvas and through the lens.
Opening Saturday, June 18, 1-5 pm … continuing Saturdays & Sundays, 1-5 pm through August 28.
Portraits and self-portraits offer an artist’s perception of how others are seen and how they might see themselves. When combined, they can also reflect on the character and diversity of a community. Visitors to the Historical Society will have the opportunity to view how Woodstock artists and photographers have depicted themselves and fellow Woodstockers over the years in both realistic and stylized forms.
The exhibit features works including Woodstock artists: Charles Rosen, Jane Jones, Carl Lindin, Jo Cantine and many more. Combined with large-scale photographs, many of which depict local townspeople during the first-half of the 20th century, the exhibition offers a glimpse at the unique diversity of individuals that have come together to craft Woodstock’s story over the years.
“Recent Acquisitions”
Augusta Allen (Woodstock Dress), Robert Angeloch (prints), Mara MacDonald Angeloch (print), Mary Anna Goetz (painting),
Clarence Bolton (painting), Franklin Drake (painting), Bryn Kelsey (painting), Livingston Three Lives Lease (document),
Althea Odell (painting), John Pike (artists inscribed bench & eagle), Fritzie Striebel (table).
Wine Tasting Benefit for the Historical Society of Woodstock Building Fund
Saturday June 11, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Historical Society of Woodstock
20 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, N.Y.
Tickets: $30.00 – Tickets available at the door or
Featuring wine specialists:
Dr. David Baggett and Tina Grill
Music by Wild Swan
Hors D’oeuvres & Silent Auction
Banana Kelly Community Garden, South Bronx. Photo: Maria DeLuca
Maria DeLuca
The Historical Society of Woodstock presents
GREEN STREETS at Upstate Films/Woodstock
Green Streets, an award-winning film on community gardening, will be screened at Upstate Films/Woodstock. This inspiring film documents a wide-range of culturally diverse community gardens that were established in each of New York City’s five boroughs during the 1970s and 1980s.
Banana Kelly Community Garden, South Bronx. Photo: Maria DeLuca
Green Streets premiered on PBS “P.O.V. – The American Documentary” on August 21,1990. It went on to be screened around the world at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlin, Germany), the Creteil International Women’s Festival (Paris, France), and the American Film and Video Festival (San Francisco).
The documentary also had prestigious screenings at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Maria DeLuca will introduce the film and take questions from the audience after the screening.
Reception to follow.
Saturday, April 23, 1:00 pm
Upstate Films/Woodstock
Admission is $10. All proceeds will benefit the Historical Society of Woodstock Building Fund.
Historical Society Building Project – 85% done!
Thanks to the generous support from our Woodstock community, we are 85% done! We still need a bit more to complete our accessible bathroom and building renovation. Please consider supporting the Historical Society of Woodstock.
The Historical Society of Woodstock
Estate Sale
Saturday April 2 & Sunday April 3
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
On Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm,
The Historical Society of Woodstock will host an estate sale featuring items recently offered to the Society by a longtime member. The sale features such items as: antique shutters, candlesticks, wooden tool chest, small tables and other furniture, crocks, wooden cooking implements, dishes, lamps, women’s clothing and much more. In addition, the Society will also offer a number of local history books on sale.
All proceeds from the sale will directly support the Historical Society’s building fund. The Historical Society of Woodstock is located at 20 Comeau Drive, across from the Woodstock Town Hall on Tinker St. Due to limited parking, visitors not requiring accessible parking are asked to park in the Lower Comeau parking lot and then follow the path to the Society. Cars can be brought to the Society’s driveway for loading once purchases are made. There is no parking on Comeau Drive itself. For more on Woodstock history, visit on Facebook at “Historical Woodstock.” No early birds, please. Thank you all for your support!
Historical Society of Woodstock
Receives National Endowment for the Humanities Grant
On December 14th, the National Endowment for the Humanities announced that the Historical Society of Woodstock has been awarded an NEH Preservation Assistance Grant for Smaller Institutions.
The grant, totaling $6,000, will go to the purchase of archival supplies, materials and equipment to enhance the Society’s continued efforts to preserve its extensive collection of photographs, original documents, textiles, genealogies, paintings and drawings.
Much of its fine art collection is represented by the works of noted artists created during Woodstock’s rise as a premiere art colony.
(Photo by Dion Ogust)
Woodstock Times
Woodstock Historical Society seeks expansion
by VIOLET SNOW on Apr 2, 2015 • 5:00 pm
When the Historical Society of Woodstock (HSW) was founded in 1929, its goal was to preserve the stories of the town. Members wrote essays and gathered in people’s homes on Sundays to read their stories aloud over tea and cookies. Over time, townspeople started giving historical items to the Society. “Because of Woodstock’s history, our collection is unusual,” commented Richard Heppner, the current town historian. “It’s about a little mountain town and an artists’ colony and how they blend.”
The collection of artifacts and writings has lived in a series of local buildings, settling in the Eames House on the Comeau Property in the 1980s. The HSW is seeking to raise $60,000 to upgrade the historic building by putting in a much-needed ground-floor bathroom, a small kitchen, and other improvements.
“The overarching problem is the bathroom,” said Janine Mower, chair of the fundraising committee. Visitors must climb 18 steps to get to the facilities, walking through the archive storage areas. “It’s a barrier to people to come and learn about Woodstock history,” she noted. “It’s inhospitable to someone in a wheelchair or a person who has arthritis and can’t climb the stairs. You’re also coming into the archive space, so it requires an escort to make sure the archives stay where they are. And we don’t want water near the archives, in case there’s a leak.”
A 12-foot by 16-foot one-story addition will include a handicapped-accessible bathroom and a small kitchen for preparing snacks to be served during openings and other events. The exterior of the addition will be clad in the same style as the rest of the building. Other improvements will include updating the electrical system, installing better lighting in the exhibition room, and shoring up the foundation, which has had water issues.
The last building upgrade was done ten years ago, when insulation, new windows, and a heating system made the structure usable year-round for research and events. The new changes will enable the Society to expand programming, particularly for children. “We had a children’s club at one point,” noted HSW president Deborah Heppner. “We did a building project where each child picked a building in Woodstock and made a model of it and researched its history. We also did a garden project with them, and one on roads. But kids need to have a proper bathroom.”
By the way, many of the essays written by those early HSW members were published as booklets and have been kept in print by the present Society. Mower and the Heppners are among the members who continue to research and write volumes on Woodstock history, all of them available for purchase at the Eames House.
The Historical Society of Woodstock museum, located at 20 Comeau Drive, is open to the public on weekends in summer and fall and during scheduled events year-round. The archives are open to researchers by appointment. For information, or to make a donation to the building fund, see www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org or contact Richard and Deborah Heppner at 845-679-2143. Checks may be mailed to PO Box 841, Woodstock, NY 12498.
Note cards from the collection of the Historical Society of Woodstock
“Wisteria at Alf’s House”, circa 1950
“Overlook Mountain”, 1914
