News & Events

YORKTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Spring 2012

MISSION: To provide a set of programs to encourage interest in local and regional history and activities and to sponsor educational presentations and activities with other organizations in the area.

CONTACT: 914-962-5722 x440 voice mail

PUBLICATION NOTICES of local books:

1. “More Old PUT”, The latest on the New York Central’s Putnam Division Railroad, by Joe Schiavone, 2009 (available at Yorktown Museum).
2. “An Object of Great Importance”, The Hudson River During the American War for Independence, by Christopher DiPasquale, 2007. Books and book signing will be available on request.
3. “The Nasty Affair at Pines Bridge”, the May 14, 1781, battle in Yorktown at the Pines Bridge crossing of the Croton River, prepared and edited by Monica Doherty, 2006. Books and signings available at all programs.
4. “Yorktown”, Images of 19th and 20th century postcards with descriptive captions, L. Cooper, A. Hobby, J. Tegeder, S. Lane., 2008. Books will be available at the Yorktown Museum.
5. “Yorktown at War”, 1775 to 1783 by R. Martino, British attacks on Yorktown & the French Army camps here. Available at all programs<

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES:

Thursday, February 16, 2012, 7:30 pm. "The History of Stony Hill" Westchester's First Free Black Community. In Recognition of Black History Month Presented by Roxanne Beecher (Trustee, Harrison Historical Society) & Barbara Bush-James (Descendent of a Stony Hill Family) In the northern section of Silver Lake Park in Harrison there is a symbol of brotherhood and freedom. It is a monument to both black and Quaker history in New York State. Come and hear this interesting story of brotherhood. Yorktown Hart Memorial Library, 1130 Main Street, Shrub Oak, NY

March 15, 2012, Thursday, 7:30 pm. "The Five Historical Railroads of Ulster County" In past years we had programs on the Yorktown's "Old Put". Now an interesting presentation on more historical railroads of our region. Presented by Steve Ladin, student of history, and Glendon Moffett, who has written four history books on older forms of transportation. The history of railroads gives us a view of the growth of our nation and our region. Five railroads passed through Ulster County with Kingston as the main hub. As is often the case, old railroad beds have become modern resources for out modern society including Yorktown’s own "Old Put" walkway. Yorktown Hart Memorial Library, 1130 Main Street, Shrub Oak, New York

April 19, 2012, Thursday, 7:30 pm. "Remembering Putnam's Revolutionary Heroes" Presented by the three authors of the recent book "Gravestones of Revolutionary War Patriots in Putnam County, NY": Jeanne Marie Perry, Carol Bailey, and Libby Baker, members of DAR Each year more old gravestones become unreadable. Over 400 gravestones of known and suspected patriots from 51 of the oldest cemeteries in Putnam County have been identified. Photos of 325 gravestones have been collected. The effort involved in researching and photographing the gravestones will be covered as well as why they felt it was important during the 200th anniversary of Putnam County. Yorktown Hart Memorial Library, 1130 Main Street, Shrub Oak, New York

May 10, 2012, Thursday, 7:30 pm. Yorktown Historical Society Annual Meeting. Presentation by Anthony Czarnecki, Trustee of Westchester Society and former President of Peekskill’s Lincoln Society. Peter Pratt’s Inn, Colonial Heights Road, Yorktown Heights, New York

June 21, 2012, Thursday, 7:30 pm. "The Corbelled Stone Chambers of Kent New York" Presented by Tom Maxson, author and Chairman of Highland Preservations. Kent is now considered the capital of stone chambers with 60 located within its borders What are these fascinating structures and why are there so many in this vicinity. A survey has been conducted and the preliminary results will be presented through a pictorial tour. Various theories regarding the origins and uses will be discussed. Past “hoaxes” will be debunked. Also means of protecting and preserving them will be discussed. Yorktown Hart Memorial Library, 1130 Main Street, Shrub Oak, New York. (A possible hike covering some of the chambers may be scheduled for Sunday July 1, 2012)

Programs are open to the public and free. Donations are welcomed.

Watch for our monthly program fliers.

This page was updated on: January 31, 2012.

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