Our April 23 monthly meeting will feature a presentation by CUNY Professor Simon Baatz, discussing his book “The Girl on the Velvet Swing.” It is the story of Evelyn Nesbit, the beautiful Gibson Girl at the center of the “murder of the century” in the early 1900s, when her millionaire husband Harry K. Thaw shot and killed noted architect Stanford White in front of a live audience on the rooftop of Madison Square Garden. Thaw was convicted and remanded to our Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, from which he would ultimately escape! Please mark your calendar to learn about our community’s role in this sensationalized case. Join us 7 p.m. at the Elks Club; all are welcome and there is plenty of parking. And thanks to the Elks for hosting us!

March Meeting: We gather March 26 at the Elks Lodge (Wolcott Avenue) at 7 p.m. to learn more about The Water Level Route: Early Car Float Service to Fishkill Landing. Author and historian Alex Prizgintas will discuss the early history of the Erie and West Shore railroads in Newburgh and the William T. Hart (shown), a steam-powered barge that transported railroad cars from the late 1800s until the turn of the 20th century from Newburgh here to Fishkill Landing en route to New England. The service ended when the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge opened in 1889. A Marist College graduate with degrees in Hudson River Valley Studies and Public Administration, Alex has been published in several journals and serves as president of the Woodbury Historical Society in Orange County. You won’t want to miss his fascinating program! All are welcome.

November is Native American History Month: Join us for special program by Peter Cutul, Assistant Site Supervisor/Educator at Fort Montgomery State Historic Site. His presentation will focus on Chief Daniel Nimham (the last Sachem of the Wappinger Indians) and his fight to retain the tribe’s Hudson Highlands homeland. Both Daniel and his son Abraham would give their lives fighting on the side of the Patriots during the American Revolution. We will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Beacon Elks Lodge at 900 Wolcott Avenue. We will conduct a brief Annual Meeting before the presentation.

The Beacon Historical Society will present its seventh annual “Beacons of History” awards on Thursday, Nov. 9 to a couple and a group who have made substantial contributions to Beacon and helped to preserve its history and sense of community. The 2023 recognition will be presented to:

Individual Honorees:

Joanne and Ian MacDonald

Ian and his late wife Joanne have made many significant contributions to Beacon, most notably to the Beacon Historical Society, a passion they shared.  Joanne taught at Sargent Elementary for 20 years.  Ian, a Beacon native, served as Assistant City Judge for 10 and County Attorney for 17 years.  Outside of their professional careers, both volunteered their time to organizations supporting the beauty and culture of the city.  Joanne was a long-time member and president of the Tioronda Garden Club.  Ian served as trustee and president of the Howland Library Board of Trustees. Both have given generously of themselves to better and beautify Beacon.

Organizational Honorees:

Beacon Volunteer Firefighters Past and Present

The proud tradition of volunteer firefighting began in the Twin Villages as early as 1840, and since that time, thousands of brave men and women have answered the alarm to save lives and properties through selfless (and often dangerous) service to the rest of us. The three current volunteer companies, Beacon Engine, Mase Hook & Ladder and Lewis Tompkins Hose Company, have protected our community for decades but now face unprecedented 21st-century challenges and pressures. We are honored to recognize these dedicated neighbors for their volunteer spirit, selfless service and admirable courage on behalf of the rest of us.

The cocktail party will be held at the Roundhouse as both a friend- and a fund-raiser for the Historical Society, which is headquartered at 61 Leonard Street. Tickets are $75 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available. Memorial donations, contributions and other means of financial support are most appreciated in order to assist the Society in paying for its headquarters expenses, establishing new displays and caring for its vast collection.

“We hope that local businesses and residents will support this event to celebrate Beacon’s past and future,” said Historical Society President Denise VanBuren, noting that it is the Society’s single largest fundraiser this year. “In addition to  honoring outstanding award recipients, the proceeds will be used to assist our Society in celebrating the history of Beacon at a time when our city is experiencing a great deal of interest and rebirth. Come join us – support the work we do as volunteers to preserve Beacon’s history.”

All are welcome to attend, but reservations must be made and paid in advance for what is expected to be a sold-out event. Contact VanBuren for more information at DVB1776@gmail.com.

NEW LOCATION for our October Meeting!

The Beacon Historical Society's October 24 meeting has been MOVED to our 61 Leonard Street headquarters; it had previously been scheduled to take place at Springfield Baptist Church for a panel discussion on Urban Renewal -- that forum has been postponed until November 14.

Please join us on October 24 from 7 until 8 p.m. for a light reception and an opportunity to view our current exhibit on Urban Renewal's impact on Beacon. Our program will feature a new video titled "Beacon's West End: Residents Remember." The short film features former residents of the West End neighborhood recalling their community and the impact of Urban Renewal, which led to the wholesale demolition of the area from the late 1960s to early 1970s.

Crossing that Bridge: Our September meeting focuses on the construction of the east and west spans of the Newburgh Beacon Bridge, which first opened sixty years ago in 1963. We welcome Kathryn Burke, Director of Historic Bridges of the Hudson Valley, and Olive Cadet, Manager of Special Projects for the New York State Bridge Authority, to discuss the history of the span that replaced our 220-year-old ferry six decades ago.  We will gather downstairs at 7 p.m. at the Beacon Elks Lodge at 900 Wolcott Avenue on Tuesday, September 26. All are cordially welcome to join us.

Have great memories of growing up in Beacon – or wish you had lived here? Come join us for our monthly meeting on July 25 at 7 p.m. for a panel discussion titled “Growing Up in Beacon.” We’re grateful to Fred Antalek, Ginger Dunay Burke, Peter Forman, Tony Lassiter and Sophia DiRubbio for taking part in this free-flowing conversation about their childhoods. We gather downstairs at the Beacon Elks at 900 Wolcott Avenue, and we thank B.P.O.E. Lodge #1493 for hosting us. Please feel free to bring guests for this fun night!

Given our setting at the foot of Mount Beacon and nestled on a stretch of majestic Hudson River waterfront, it is little wonder why they were built here ….. but what happened to them? Come learns about Beacon’s most significant and gracious homes — of which just a handful now remain as witnesses to our one-time location of many fine estates and country homes. We gather for a presentation by Society President Denise VanBuren on June 27 at 7 p.m. at the ELKS LODGE on Wolcott Avenue (yes, it’s air conditioned and has plenty of parking!). The talk has been complemented by an exhibit about 12 of the estates that is running from mid May through early July during our public hours: Thursdays 10-noon and Saturdays 1-3 p.m. This lecture is free and open to the public — please join us. And sincere thanks for B.P.O.E. #1493 of Beacon for allowing us to use their downstairs meeting space.

Join us for our annual show where fifteen+ dealers will offer vintage postcards, books, and ephemera for sale. Look for treasures for your collection, learn from the experts, and have fun! Food, snacks, and door prizes will be available. All proceeds benefit the Beacon Historical Society. Admission is $4.

The show is on Saturday, June 10 from 9:00am-4:00pm at St. Joachim’s School Hall, 51 Leonard Street in Beacon. Free parking in the lot and on the street. For more information, contact dtturner77@gmail.com.

Angela Reich presented the extraordinary life of internationally famous intellectual Margaret Fuller: journalist, social activist, and revolutionary. The presentation covered Fuller’s life in her native Massachusetts, her time in Fishkill Landing (now Beacon), New York City, and Italy, and her tragic homeward journey in 1850 aboard the ship Elizabeth.

Reich’s book Shipwreck of Hopes is available for purchase at the Society headquarters and on Amazon.

WHNPA executive director Heidi Elswick and Associated Press photographer Jon Elswick will discuss the years leading to the White House News Photographers Association’s 100th anniversary. A team of volunteers searched through thousands of images and historical artifacts – sitting uncatalogued in the WHNPA warehouse. And just like the many presidents who made their mark on history, so have many of the news photographers through their work with a front-row seat to history, such as founding member Harry Van Tine. The Elswick’s presentation will give a glimpse of some of the images and stories that were found.

The duo will also talk about the evolution of photography and how association members moved from 4x5 film cameras (like the ones used by Harry Van Tine) to digital cameras. Through it all, the core mission of the WHNPA remains steadfast – to be the ‘Eyes of History®’ for Washington – and beyond. A Q&A will follow.

This friend and fundraising event includes Reserva’s signature grazing table filled with fruit/veges/cheeses/meats and one glass of wine/beer/soda. A cash bar will be available as well.

Join local collector Dick Lahey for a fascinating talk about the history of carriages and sleighs — including those made on our Main Street at the Jackson and Sewell works! Dick is a longtime collector and former educator. This program is free and open to the public. Join us at the St. Joachim’s School Hall (gym) where we have plenty of free parking. We’ll also provide an update on the restoration of the c. 1850 cutter sleigh from the Craig House that was recently added to our collection! All are welcome!

If you are unable to attend, please join us via Zoom. To view the recording, visit our Past Events page in a few days of the event.

Join Diane Lapis, trustee and principal researcher on Beacon born Harry Van Tine (1885-1968).   Van Tine held a keen interest in the nascent field of photography at the turn of the 20th century. His early photographs were printed on hundreds of souvenir postcards and sold by the thousands at the Van Tine Stationery store creating a visual history in the Hudson Valley. Parlaying his photographic prowess, Van Tine worked as a photojournalist for the Hearst Corporation in NY City, and was then sent to Washington DC to open a field office in 1915. Joining forces with other news photographers to gain better access at the White House, Van Tine helped found the White House News Photographers Association in 1921. For over half-century, Harry would photograph presidents and other important world leaders, historical figures and events and serve in a managerial capacity for the International News Photo agency.

This presentation accompanies ‘The Eyes of History®’ exhibition including seldom-seen photos from the WHNPA’s archives.  Twelve display panels will document one-hundred years of White House and presidential history.  Alongside the panels, the Beacon Historical Society will provide an in-depth look at the life and contributions of Harry Van Tine during a pivotal time in our country, in Washington DC, and the city of Beacon.  Photographs, postcards, letters, and various artifacts will tell Harry’s story.

If you are unable to attend the lecture, please click on the Zoom link below.

Join us for our November history talk, “New Hamburg Across Three Centuries.” Learn about the history of this Dutchess County Hamlet, Beacon’s riverfront neighbor to the north, from Dutchess County Historical Society’s President Rob Doyle.

This event will take place at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main Street in Beacon on Tuesday, November 29 at 7:00pm. If you are unable to attend, the program will be live-streamed and recorded. Please check back a few days after the event to access the program on our website under “Past Events.”

Congratulations to Tony Lassiter and members of the Melzingah Chapter of the DAR — recipients of the 2022 Beacons of History Awards presented by the Beacon Historical Society. Click below to watch the entire program.

The event is our largest annual fundraiser and celebrates Beacon’s rich sense of both history and community. It was a fabulous night — thank you to everyone who supported it, especially our five Mount Beacon sponsors: City of Beacon Housing Authority, Art & Mary Lou Johnson, Denny & Karen Meyer, The Roundhouse and the VanBuren Family. Save the date for our 7th Annual event on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

BHS Past President Denise VanBuren discussed the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and her journey across France (as President General of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution) to recreate the 1921 events that resulted in the dedication of the Tomb at Arlington National Cemetery. You may be surprised to learn two Beacon connections to this memorial that honors our nation's unknown war dead.

In 1871, General Joseph Howland commissioned his brother-in-law, the French-trained architect Richard Morris Hunt, to design a library for the village of Matteawan, a church, and a music room addition to his house, Tioronda. The resulting works were energetic and surreal; a mixture of forms from remote parts of Europe. This presentation by architectural historian Steven Baltsas will consider Hunt's design influences, which range from medieval French market towns to Alpine chalets. Learn how Hunt altered the course of American architecture after the Civil War with these rare surviving buildings. 

This program is part of a series presented by the Howland Library, the Howland Cultural Center, and the Beacon Historical Society in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Howland Library.

Travel back in time to meet one of our city’s heroes: Eliza Woolsey Howland. Join BHS Trustee Emily Murnane, as she portrays Eliza in a presentation that includes photographs, stories, and materials relating to Eliza's incredible life as a Civil War nurse, humanitarian, and historical writer whose acts of charity have benefited Beacon for more than a century.

David Rocco, principal researcher and coauthor of The Indestructible Man: The True Story of World War II Hero “Captain Dixie” presented an updated slide show about the eight US Navy servicemen who lost their lives in two separate plane crashes on the northern slope of Mt. Beacon (1935 and 1945).  One of the eight was Navy legend, Commodore Dixie Kiefer.

Two special events are scheduled to document, map, and mark Revolutionary War Hero General Lafayette’s footsteps during his Farewell Tour of the United States in 1824-1825. Learn about the national significance of Lafayette's Tour and gain a broader understanding of his numerous contributions to American independence and national coherence. On a local level, Lafayette stopped in Fishkill Landing (now Beacon) on September 19, 1824, where he was escorted to the DeWindt House to visit Caroline Smith, granddaughter of US President John Adams.

The Lafayette Trail Marker dedication ceremony will begin at 2:00pm on Red Flynn Drive, Beacon NY.

The Lafayette Farewell Tour of the US 1824-25 slideshow program will begin at 7:00pm at the Beacon High School Theater presented by Julien Icher, founder and president of the Lafayette Trail, Inc. Accessible.

The free events are organized by Julien Icher thelafayettetrail.org in collaboration with the Melzingah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Beacon Historical Society.

Two special events are scheduled to document, map, and mark Revolutionary War Hero General Lafayette’s footsteps during his Farewell Tour of the United States in 1824-1825. Learn about the national significance of Lafayette's Tour and gain a broader understanding of his numerous contributions to American independence and national coherence. On a local level, Lafayette stopped in Fishkill Landing (now Beacon) on September 19, 1824, where he was escorted to the DeWindt House to visit Caroline Smith, granddaughter of US President John Adams.

The Lafayette Trail Marker dedication ceremony will begin at 2:00pm on Red Flynn Drive, Beacon NY.

The Lafayette Farewell Tour of the US 1824-25 slideshow program will begin at 7:00pm at the Beacon High School Theater presented by Julien Icher, founder and president of the Lafayette Trail, Inc.

The events are organized by Julien Icher thelafayettetrail.org in collaboration with the Melzingah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Beacon Historical Society.

Celebrate the life of Beacon’s oldest church while learning about the challenges and rewards of the archival process. Emily Murnane, trustee of the Beacon Historical Society and history sleuth extraordinaire, will share the history of the Reformed Church of Beacon. Emily spent months combing through the Church’s archives researching documents, letters, and photographs in order to digitally preserve 207 years of history. Q&A to follow with current owner Gavin Hecker.

This program will be in-person and also live-streamed. Click below to join around 6:50 pm.