2018 Exhibitions and Events

Historic Woodstock Holidays

support the “shed fund”

The Historical Society Museum

is closed for the winter.

The Archive is open by appointment.

e-mail: [email protected]

Support us by becoming a member 

Stone Boat: Donated by Roz Balkin… thanks to Geezers, it was moved to Eames and now sits in Alf park on that piece of bluestone with track. Pretty cool!!! The property it came from .. up Lewis Hollow and then on up …had one of the most fabulous views in Woodstock!

All Creatures Great & Small

Selections from the HSW permanent collection

Pike Holiday Card, Tinker Street, Woodstock
Pike Holiday Card, Tinker Street, Woodstock

“Deer and Fawns”, Rosella Hartman (oil on board)

October 6 – October 28, 2018

Saturdays & Sundays 1-5 pm

Apple Pressing and Lincoln Talk at HSW

Sunday, October 28, 1-3 pm

The Historical Society of Woodstock will wrap up its Fall exhibit, “All Creatures Great and Small,” this Saturday and Sunday. To conclude the season, HSW will offer two special events on Sunday, October 28. From 1:00 to 3:00 pm, visitors can take part in HSW’s annual apple pressing with Bill McKenna and Donald Allen. This is a great event for kids and offers all a taste of the freshest cider around. Also on Sunday, Town Historian Richard Heppner will present a talk on the elevation of Abraham Lincoln into American sainthood as his funeral train wound its way from Washington, through the Hudson Valley and into history. The presentation specifically offers descriptions of the funeral train and its reception as it passed along the banks of the Hudson.

The talk begins at 3:30 pm.

"Cat Playing the Piano", watercolor, John G. Ernst
“Cat Playing the Piano”, watercolor, John G. Ernst
etching, Susanne Koster Brown, 1989
etching, Susanne Koster Brown, 1989

October 6 – October 28, 2018

Saturdays & Sundays 1-5 pm

Historical Society Goes to the Animals with New Exhibit:

Animals have long captured the eye of the artist. And, over the years, Woodstock artists have not been immune to applying their creative skills to interpreting the animal world. On October 6, the Historical Society of Woodstock will unveil a new exhibit dedicated to the many ways Woodstock artists have depicted various creatures over the years. From Marion Ballard’s timeless stories and illustrations of the creatures in her garden, to the whimsical cats of John Ernst’s water colors, to Winnifred Haile’s carved wooden dogs and woodland creatures, HSW has opened its archives to offer a look at the love affair between Woodstock artists and the animals that drew their interest.

With an opening party on October 6 from 3-5 pm, all are invited to enjoy the art, books and toys of a number of Woodstock artists including: Charles Rosen, Ethel Magafan, Rosella Hartman, Bruce Ackerman and many more. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit, “All Creatures Great and Small,” will continue on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October between the hours of 1-5 pm.

Also on October 6, the Historical Society will unveil its newly created 2019 calendar depicting various scenes representing Woodstock history. The calendar is available in the Historical Society’s gift shop.

The Historical Society of Woodstock is located at 20 Comeau Drive. As always, admission is free. For more on HSW go to www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org or visit on Facebook at Historical Woodstock.

Service – The History of the Woodstock Fire Department.

June 30, through September 2, 2018, Saturdays & Sundays 1-5 pm

George Eichorn & Bruce Renolds
George Eichorn & Bruce Renolds

The opening for the exhibit will take place on Saturday afternoon, June 30, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Visitors attending the opening will not only have the opportunity to examine the remarkable 112 year history of the department, but will also enjoy free hot dogs, the appearance of a vintage Woodstock firetruck and fire hats for all children. The exhibit will continue each Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm throughout the summer.

Culled from the archives of the Department’s five companies, the new exhibit, through photographs, artifacts and text, looks back at the dedication to

service the Woodstock community by the men and women of the Department. From putting their lives on the line, training, community programs, and their response in times of emergencies, the exhibit honors all who have volunteered their service to the Woodstock community over the years.

Wittenberg, Ken Reynolds
Wittenberg, Ken Reynolds
Meads Mountain House-Barn Fire
Meads Mountain House-Barn Fire

Sunday, August 19, 12-1:00 pm

FIREHOUSE LORE

Panel discussion “Firehouse Lore” – featuring stories and remembrances of the Woodstock Fire Department

On Sunday August 19, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, the Historical Society of Woodstock will continue to honor the history of the Woodstock Fire Department with a panel discussion reflecting on stories, remembrances, and the importance of volunteering as offered by Department veterans. Joining the panel will be Jim Hanson, Michael Densen and Howard Shultis. The panel will be moderated by Woodstock Town Historian, Richard Heppner. Also on Sunday, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, the Historical Society bakers will hold forth with a bake sale as only HSW can. Proceeds from the delicious homemade treats will benefit the Society’s building fund

The Historical Society of Woodstock is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization

serving Woodstock since 1929.

1941 Firemans Convention
1941 Firemans Convention
1941 Firemans Convention
Woodstock Rescue Squad
Woodstock Rescue Squad
Ethel Magafan
Photos by JoAnn Margolis
Jenne Magafan
Clemente Randolph
Barbara Fite

Letter from the HSW President – May, 2018

Dear Friends,

The Historical Society of Woodstock has been exploding with activity. Our renovated building has allowed us to welcome in 2017 well over 1000 visitors to four exhibitions, four informational presentations – including a presentation by Woodstock children on local history – and two very well supported fund raising activities. As a result of our summer exhibition Gathering Woodstock Women…HSW published a collection of essays and photos of over 80 Woodstock women who in their lifetime contributed to the Woodstock story.

Activity in the HSW Archives has included the addition of new volunteers, the receipt of an Arts Mid-Hudson grant to help support our work in completing the collection data base, the addition of 26 new donations to our archives including, a collection of Woodstock Art books and a collection of fans, catalogs, and photos from Rotron, the continuing of the cataloging and organization of our extensive art collection as well as working with more than 25 researchers utilizing our archives in their work.

Preparations for 2018, 2019, and 2020 exhibitions and programs are underway and our first well attended fundraiser took place in April of this year. We are so appreciative of all the support we continue to receive from the Woodstock community. The Historical Society of Woodstock is an all-volunteer organization. It is only with your support that we will be able to continue our efforts in providing excellent local history programming and maintaining extensive and accessible archives. We hope that you will renew your HSW Membership or become a member for the first time. All donations of $100 or more will be recognized on our HSW Donation Tree, beautifully crafted by Rennie Cantine.

As Historical Society of Woodstock continues to grow, we strive to find ways to best meet the needs of our community and the HSW Collection. This year, we would like to purchase a storage building for supplies and equipment to allow us to convert some of our present space into better research facilities. When completing your membership form, we hope you will designate an additional contribution to our HSW SHED Fund. Our goal for this project is $6,000.

Again…many heartfelt thanks for your support…please come and visit us this summer as we celebrate the history of the Woodstock Fire Department – exhibition opening June 30, 2018. Check out our website www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org and follow us on Facebook at Historical Woodstock to learn about the many wonderful activities and programs we have planned for this year.

Sincerely,

Deborah Heppner. President

Historical Society of Woodstock

2018 Estate Sale!

Third Annual Community Estate Sale

Saturday, April 7 – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Sunday, April 8 – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

From eclectic to practical …

Something for everyone including: furniture, paintings, children’s toys, books, tools, jewelry, art supplies, baskets, collectibles & vintage household items.