Beacon Historical Society
Cart 0
Home Visit Shop
DONATE
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
Become A Member Become a Sponsor
Cart 0
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
Beacon Historical Society
DONATE

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
The Dixie Kiefer Plane Crash
The Dixie Kiefer Plane Crash
Guest UserOctober 25, 2017
Main Street Architecture: "The Bank that Loomed Large"
Main Street Architecture: "The Bank that Loomed Large"
Guest UserSeptember 30, 2017
"The Man Who Dared Too Much"
"The Man Who Dared Too Much"
Guest UserSeptember 11, 2017
First Television Set in Beacon!
First Television Set in Beacon!
Guest UserAugust 18, 2017
Historic Home Lost to Urban Renewal: "Cedar Lawn"
Historic Home Lost to Urban Renewal: "Cedar Lawn"
Guest UserJuly 30, 2017
Detective Work on an old Photograph of a Store Interior
Detective Work on an old Photograph of a Store Interior
Guest UserJuly 11, 2017
Beacon's Cannonball
Beacon's Cannonball
Guest UserJune 30, 2017
"Growing Up on Long Dock" by June Palmatier Hamory
"Growing Up on Long Dock" by June Palmatier Hamory
Guest UserJune 27, 2017
Old Beacon Advertising Hardware: But What Is It?
Old Beacon Advertising Hardware: But What Is It?
Historical ItemsLiz BirchJune 16, 2017
The Explosion that Rocked Beacon
The Explosion that Rocked Beacon
Guest UserJune 16, 2017
Memorial Day 2017
Memorial Day 2017
Guest UserMay 30, 2017
Susan B. Anthony Speaks out for Women for the First Time ....
Susan B. Anthony Speaks out for Women for the First Time ....
Guest UserMay 24, 2017
The City all abuzz over the "Human Fly."
The City all abuzz over the "Human Fly."
Guest UserMay 14, 2017
Remembering Fred Talbot ...
Remembering Fred Talbot ...
Guest UserMay 2, 2017
Straw Hat Season
Straw Hat Season
Guest UserApril 22, 2017
A New Refrigerator for Two Nickels a Day!
A New Refrigerator for Two Nickels a Day!
Guest UserApril 16, 2017
Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage to European Cemeteries, 1930-1933
Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage to European Cemeteries, 1930-1933
Guest UserApril 4, 2017
The Dead Mayors Streets
The Dead Mayors Streets
Guest UserMarch 29, 2017
March is Women's History Month: Phebe Doughty, MD.
March is Women's History Month: Phebe Doughty, MD.
Guest UserMarch 22, 2017
"Look Up in the Sky": A Daring Female Aeronaut and...
"Look Up in the Sky": A Daring Female Aeronaut and...
Guest UserMarch 8, 2017
Newer Older

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



15271936_1141238682579606_3512836566054494029_o.png
SUPPORT US