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Calendar of Events Past Events Podcasts Historical Walking Tours Educational Programs In the Press
BHS Archives American Revolutionary War Sites Nitgedaiget: A Utopian Resort in Beacon Beacon's West End Story of Urban Renewal Harry Van Tine Dairies of Beacon Sharing Beacon's History Blog A Tribute to Bob Murphy Thomas Cole And His Views James F. Brown - From the Archives Lost Landmarks in Postcards Filmmaking in Beacon Mt. Beacon Eight James Becker: Collector
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HomeVisitShop Events Calendar of Events Past Events Podcasts Historical Walking Tours Educational Programs In the Press Explore BHS Archives American Revolutionary War Sites Nitgedaiget: A Utopian Resort in Beacon Beacon's West End Story of Urban Renewal Harry Van Tine Dairies of Beacon Sharing Beacon's History Blog A Tribute to Bob Murphy Thomas Cole And His Views James F. Brown - From the Archives Lost Landmarks in Postcards Filmmaking in Beacon Mt. Beacon Eight James Becker: Collector Support Become A Member Become a Sponsor
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Bob’S HISTORY BLOG

Robert J. Murphy, former city historian and past president of the Beacon Historical Society, was a master storyteller and writer. Bob wrote a variety of fascinating articles for what we affectionately call “Bob’s Blog.” You can use the magnifying tool in the upper right corner to search for a particular subject. In addition, his popular monthly newsletter of 38 years was compiled and edited by Denise VanBuren in Beacon’s Memorykeeper and Storyteller: Robert J. Murphy.

Click Here to Purchase the book Beacon's Memorykeeper
On This Date in Beacon's History: August 18, 1861
On This Date in Beacon's History: August 18, 1861
On This DayLiz BirchAugust 22, 2019
Beacon's Historic Buildings Then and Now: 139 Rombout Avenue
Beacon's Historic Buildings Then and Now: 139 Rombout Avenue
Historic BuildingsLiz BirchAugust 1, 2019
Beacon's Historic Homes: 17 Church Street
Beacon's Historic Homes: 17 Church Street
Historic HomesLiz BirchJuly 27, 2019
Charles B. Stover: Maker of Parks
Charles B. Stover: Maker of Parks
Historic FiguresLiz BirchJuly 27, 2019
The Cottage Colony on the Summit of Mt. Beacon
The Cottage Colony on the Summit of Mt. Beacon
GeneralLiz BirchJune 29, 2019
Beacon High School Graduating Class of 1925... And the Story Behind the Picture
Beacon High School Graduating Class of 1925... And the Story Behind the Picture
Guest UserJune 20, 2019
"Ben" the Firehorse Joins Tompkins Hose Fire Company
"Ben" the Firehorse Joins Tompkins Hose Fire Company
Guest UserJune 13, 2019
Written in Stone
Written in Stone
Guest UserMay 24, 2019
"The Three Red Houses"
"The Three Red Houses"
Guest UserApril 24, 2019
Pete Sings at Beacon High | November 27, 1965
Pete Sings at Beacon High | November 27, 1965
Historic FiguresLiz BirchApril 18, 2019
"That is Harrold With Two R's!"
"That is Harrold With Two R's!"
Guest UserApril 2, 2019
On Stage at the Old Beacon Theatre
On Stage at the Old Beacon Theatre
Guest UserMarch 21, 2019
On Stage at the Old Beacon Theatre
On Stage at the Old Beacon Theatre
Historic BuildingsLiz BirchMarch 21, 2019
The Lincoln Connections to Beacon
The Lincoln Connections to Beacon
Guest UserMarch 2, 2019
Black History Month: Early History of the Local African-American Community
Black History Month: Early History of the Local African-American Community
Guest UserFebruary 19, 2019
Black History Month: Early History of the Local African-American Community
Black History Month: Early History of the Local African-American Community
Historic SpacesLiz BirchFebruary 19, 2019
Then & Now: 213 Main Street
Then & Now: 213 Main Street
Guest UserJanuary 30, 2019
A Christmas Memory of Marion Conway
A Christmas Memory of Marion Conway
Guest UserDecember 24, 2018
A Life Saver Made in Beacon
A Life Saver Made in Beacon
Guest UserDecember 13, 2018
Why History Matters
Why History Matters
Guest UserNovember 20, 2018
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Our headquarters will be closed from December 19-January 2 in order to celebrate the holidays.

Thanks for your support in 2025!

Beacon Historical Society
61 Leonard Street,
Beacon, NY, 12508,
United States
(845) 831-0514 beaconhistorical@gmail.com
Hours
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu 10am - 12pm
Fri Closed
Sat 1pm - 3pm
Sun Closed

Members and their Guests are invited to join us for this event, which is not open to the public.

Members' Holiday Get-Together!

  • Sunday, December 14, 2025

  • 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

Holiday Cheer! Don’t miss this year’s BHS Members’ Holiday Party on December 14 from 2 until 4 p.m. at Saint Rita’s Music Room, the former band and choral classroom in the 1916 Beacon High School on Fishkill Avenue, aka the Kube Art Center. The entrance is off Eliza Street at Verplanck (shown in this 1938 photograph of an addition in progress); parking is limited, so please carpool. It is a come-and-go-as-you-please open house.

We are especially grateful to BHS Member David Schwartz of the Beacon Building for generously sponsoring this year’s get-together; and we thank trustees Karen Meyer and Liz Foster for co-chairing it, as well as their volunteer helpers. Guides will also be available for tours of the building, which closed as our high school a quarter century ago.

CAMP NITGEDAIGET EXHIBITION CLOSES DECEMBER 20:

Looking for a great holiday gift? Look no further!
Our compilation of 38 years of Beacon Historical Society newsletters by Robert J. Murphy
makes the ideal present for those who love Beacon and its history! You can purchase it via the SHOP tab above.

DON’T MISS THIS GREAT HOLIDAY SPECIAL:
Buy five copies or more LOCALLY and save 30 percent off the cover price! For just $30 each (for a combined total of $150),
your five lucky gift recipients will receive a hard-cover, 544-page book with more than 1,000 photos!
We will deliver these five-or-more orders to you in Beacon and surrounding areas.
Email us at BeaconHistorical@gmail.com for all the details!

Just 75 copies remain of this book. Once they are sold, the book will be gone forever, as there will not be a third printing.
Order or email us today! Be this year’s most popular gift-giver! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Beacon Historical Society
PO Box 89
61 Leonard Street
Beacon, NY 12508



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