CCHSB Spring 2003 RevA - Columbia County Historical Society

Spring/Summer 2003
Wooden Churches
Columbia County Legacy
A new book by Arthur Baker
An exhibition of Arthur A. Baker’s photographs of the wooden
churches of Columbia County opened at the County Museum on
Saturday, May 24th. The opening celebrated the publication by the
Society of Baker’s book, Wooden Churches – Columbia County
Legacy. Over 150 people attended the reception.
The book was supported in part by grants from Furthermore, a
program of the J.M. Kaplan Fund and by The Graham Foundation for
Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts.The large format publication features
duotone photographs of all 63 extant wooden churches in the
county. It contains an incisive essay by local historian Ruth Piwonka
that reveals the manner in which the closely meshed religious and
secular history of the county and the
nation not only influenced the
growth and development of the various
faiths, but also everyday life in
the community. Basic historic and
architectural data relating to each
church illustrated is numerically
keyed to the photographs and the
church locations on the included
Columbia County Church Location
Map.
The historic data were verified
and augmented by many of the
county’s town and church historians.
Ron Toelke Associates of Chatham
designed the book.
A resident of East Taghkanic,
Arthur A. Baker states in his introduction:
“Columbia County, New
York is endowed with a rich heritage
of wooden church architecture
which covers the full design spectrum,
from the simplest vernacular
shelter to imposing Gothic Revival
structures. In microcosm, it exhibits
the influences of the nation’s changing
architectural styles, and the growth of the varied religious denominations.
Collectively, the churches reflect a remarkably creative,
diverse range of building design and form.” He also stresses that the
wooden churches are an integral part of Columbia County’s visual
heritage and form part of the continuum linking the past, present and
future.Their preservation is of paramount importance.
Baker is uniquely qualified for this project. A distinguished
architect who practiced in London and New York as the partner of
such iconic figures as Sir James Stirling and Peter Eisenman, he has
for some years been devoting himself to large format photography.
This exhibition and book are the culmination of a project that began
over ten years ago with a smaller
exhibition at the county museum.
The churches have been photographed
from a consistent frontal
view, in a black and white format that
encapsulates the essence of each
structure. Each is presented in a manner
that emphasizes silhouette and
mass, rather than the denomination,
location, period or architectural style.
This approach enables an easy comparative
analysis of the similarities and
differences of the church designs.
Critics who have seen the photographs
and the book have been
enthusiastic
The exhibition will be at the
Columbia County Historical Society
Museum.
The book Wooden Churches-
Columbia County Legacy is available
for $24.95 ($22.45 for CCHS members)
at the county museum shop and
for $24.95 at other locations
“Just contemplating these wooden churches of Columbia County, so serene and splendid, ranging from the all but invisible to the energeticlly
gothic in West Copake and the majestically classical in St.Thomas in Churchtown, imbues one with peace and tranquility and a longing
for a purer age.”
Thomas P.F. Hoving,Author and former Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In this, the busiest season of the Society’s year, it is a great
pleasure to see our members and supporters enjoying our special
events and responding to our many needs.The Columbia
County Museum, Luykas Van Alen House, Ichabod Crane
Schoolhouse, and James Vanderpoel House are all welcoming
visitors for the 2003 summer season. Remember, admission is
free to all members.
This season is also one of unprecedented opportunity for
the Society to restore its historic properties with federal, state,
and private grants. We must raise significant matching funds
for the Van Alen and Vanderpoel restoration projects and I
would like to thank all members who have contributed to our
fundraising campaigns thus far.
Support comes in many forms. The response to recent
plaster damage at the Vanderpoel House was immediate and
effective.Thanks to our staff the situation was quickly resolved
over a holiday weekend. Mike Urbaitis, Neil Van Alstyne, and
Dave Cavagnaro provided their expertise and assistance on
very short notice. Judy Harris and Karen Leffingwell, of the
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, assisted our staff
with collections care, offering their time and equipment.
Many thanks for the support we received from the local community!
Be sure to visit the museum to see Arthur Baker’s Wooden
Churches: Columbia County Legacy; Around Columbia
County: Clermont, Germantown & Livingston, curated by
town historians Mary Howell, Anne Poleschner, and Marguerite
Riter; and Museum of Simple Machines created by
Ichabod Crane students.
As our membership grows I am encouraged by the
enthusiastic support we receive for our programs, our publications,
our exhibits and the preservation of our historic properties.
My thanks also, to the Board of Directors and our staff for
their unfailing sense of commitment to the Society’s mission.
Sharon S. Palmer
MANY CCHS’ERS AT MANY
The annual conference of the Museum Association of New York
and the Upstate History Alliance held on April 28 th at the Albany
Institute of History and Art featured four speakers from our Society,
the largest contingent from any constituent organization.
In a very well-attended morning session that went overtime,
President Steve Mandel and Executive Director Sharon Palmer
spoke on “Director/Trustee Relationships.” In an afternoon session
on “Effective Programmatic Partnerships,” CCHS Board
member Buzz Hartshorn spoke in his role of Director of the
International Center for Photography in New York City of that
museum’s partnership with Rochester’s George Eastman House
Our educator, Ruth-Ellen Berninger spoke on the collaborative
effort of the Columbia County Educators Forum, of which
CCHS is the lead organization (the others are Clermont, Lindenwald,
Olana and the Shaker Museum) to create a CD-ROM
based local history teaching aid.
At the business session of the conference, Buzz was elected to the
board of MANY. Ruth-Ellen already serves on the board of
the UHA.
OUR COMMITTEE SYSTEM
Most of the work of the Society, outside of our core mission of preservation,
interpretation and education, which is handled by the professional staff in the
museum, library and historic houses, is accomplished in our very active committees.
Committee chairs are appointed from the board, but committee members need
not come from the board and indeed many, if not most, come from the membership
at large. We urge all members to volunteer for committees that engage their
interest. To do so, simply call the Society’s office and speak with Sharon Palmer
or ask to have the committee chair call you.The committees presently meeting
are:
The Benefit Committee: Under chairman Rick Ryan, this committee
arranges all the myriad details of the First Columbians reception and the
Antiques Festival, to be held this year on June 14 th and 15 th .
The Buildings and Grounds Committee: chaired by Arthur Baker, oversees
the maintenance and restoration of our four buildings and their landscapes.This
is a very exciting time for this committee, with all the work about to be undertaken
on the Van Alen and Vanderpoel houses.
The Collections Committee: is also chaired by Rick Ryan.This committee
reviews gifts offered to the Society and makes most decisions, with the advice
of Curator Helen MacLallan, on accessions and deaccessions.
The Development Committee: Nick Biggs leads this committee, planning
and executing our successful and ongoing development effort, which is reaching
out to individuals and businesses throughout the county.
The Exhibition Committee: which is chaired by Tim Husband, explores
ideas for imaginative exhibitions to be held at the Museum and elsewhere.We
are fortunate in having several professionals from major New York museums on
this committee.
The Finance Committee: chaired by Treasurer Ted Tuttle, creates the Society’s
budget and oversees the investment of our funds.Ted has also been modernizing
our accounting system to make it more responsive and informative.
The Long Range Planning Committee: chaired by President Steve Mandel,
is writing a new strategic five year plan to guide the Society into the future,
updating the plan written in 1997, noting our accomplishments and shortfalls
since then, and setting new goals.
The Magazine Committee: led by editor Jim Eyre, plans, writes, edits and
sells ads for Columbia County History & Heritage.
The Membership Committee: This committee, which is chaired by John
Carroll, works on expanding our membership and improving membership
benefits.
The Special Events Committee: whose chairman is John Hannam, plans and
executes events such as the Home for the Holidays tour last December and the
Kevin Jacobs piano recital last month.The committee is working on more events
for later this year.
The Vanderpoel Interior Committee: chaired by Susan Tripp, is charged
with realizing the promise in the architect-written historic furnishings report on
this house by restoring it to its early nineteenth century appearance.
As you can see, these committees are doing a lot of varied and interesting work.
Why not join one of them and make your CCHS experience that much
richer
2

GLORIOUS MUSIC IN THE
NATHAN WILD BALLROOM
On the evening of April 5th an overflow crowd of more than 70 music lovers
listened raptly as piano virtuoso Kevin Jacobs gave a recital of the works of Bach,
Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy.The special benefit event for CCHS members
was oversubscribed and Mr.Jacobs has kindly agreed to give another evening on
Saturday, November 7th to accommodate those relegated to the waiting list.
The evening was co-hosted by Will Swift, who, along with Mr. Jacobs, has
undertaken to painstakingly and accurately restore Valatie’s Wild mansion, which
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hors d’ouevres were served
before and after the music, along with wines generously donated by Wild Horse
Wines and Liquor of Main St.,Valatie. The combination of Kevin’s talent and
Kevin and Will’s historic setting for it made for an unforgettable evening.
Reservations are already being taken for the November 7th encore recital.
Tickets are $30 per person and will be held for you if you call the Society office
at 518 758-9265.
FIRST COLUMBIANS PREVIEW
SET FOR JUNE 14TH
The ninth annual First Columbians champagne preview of the 31st annual
Luykas Van Alen House Antiques Festival will take place on Saturday, June
14 th from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You have probably already received your
invitation in the mail and should make it a point to join us at this premier
social event of the season.Tickets for the benefit, held under tents on the
lawn of the Van Alen house, are $60 per person and entitle you to preview the
offerings of the dealers of the next day’s show. Enjoy champagne, music and
lavish hors d’oeuvres and bid on intriguing and exciting items at our best
silent auction ever.
After the reception, Benefit Sponsors will dine at one of several Columbia
County homes chosen for their aesthetic and culinary distinction.These dinners
are always wonderful parties. Honorary Chairs of this year’s event are
Colin and Katrina Stair. Underwriters are Alexandra Anderson Spivy and Jock
Spivy, Nancy and Tom Clark, Joan K. Davidson, Mimi and David Forer, John
Knott, Steve Mandel and Heidi Fiske, the Stairs, and Eileen and Jay Wallace.
The Chairman of the Benefit Committee putting it all together this year is
Richard Ryan.They promise us a wonderful evening!
The Silent Auction offers very special opportunities this year. Bid on two
Metropolitan Opera tickets to La Boheme, 8 th row center orchestra (they
don’t get better than that!), on November 25, 2003.You may choose one of
several handmade oriental carpets for your home.Wonderful restaurants and
intriguing antiques, books and pottery will also be on hand awaiting your bid.
The auction will take place from 5:00 until 7:00.
The Antiques Festival at the Van Alen House will be open on Sunday, June
15 th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.The show coordinators are Jerry Oliver and
Michael Gannon of Oliver & Gannon Associates. Admission is $5 per person,
$4.50 with coupon (available at the Columbia County Museum).
While the 31 st annual Antiques Festival is in full swing at the Van Alen house,
a picnic lunch will be hosted in Kinderhook at a residence where James lived
while constructing the Vanderpoel House on Broad Street.This “Drop in the
Bucket” lunch will be for the benefit of the James Vanderpoel house restoration.
Reservations are limited and are $30.00 per person. Please phone the
Society at 518-758-9265 to reserve a place at this affair.
FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Welcome to the rebirth of the Columbia County
Historical Society Bulletin.
When the decision was made last year to publish a real
magazine of local history, Columbia County History and
Heritage, it was also decided that we would temporarily suspend
the Society’s newsletter.We felt we had enough on our
publishing plate, we wanted to be able to concentrate our
resources on making the magazine the best it could be and we
thought we could insert important Society news in the magazine
while retaining its general interest profile.
History and Heritage has now been published for a full
year.Three issues have come out to great acclaim (we admit to
being very proud of this venture and of our editor, Jim Eyre)
and the fourth is in the late stages of writing and editing. We
think we have the knack of it and can now afford to devote
attention to once again communicating to you, our members,
Society news. And lately we’ve had lots of news to communicate!
So herewith, under the energetic editorship of Mimi
Forer, and with the generous design and production aid of
Ron Toelke, a rejuvenated members’ Bulletin. It is our intention
to publish this three times a year; you will receive it
between your issues of History and Heritage. In it you will
find detailed Society news, recognition of members, funders,
volunteers and staff. A calendar of forthcoming events and a
recap of those in the immediate past. News of exhibits and
publications and of accessions to the collections. Insights into
our operations and restoration projects, our publications and
education programs. And more.
We hope you enjoy reading it and we urge you to contact
us with any ideas you may have for it.
Stephan M. Mandel
MUSEUM REPAIRS
UNDERWAY
Thanks to a New York State Legislative Member’s Item grant
of $12,500 obtained for the Society by former Assembly Minority
Leader John Faso, work is beginning on repairing the County
Museum’s slate roof and installing snow guards.We are also at this
time replacing the rear door of the building and the basement
bulkhead doors
Looking to the future, we had on April 21 st and 22 nd a
collections environmental survey done to assess our precise needs
in the areas of collections storage and preservation. Consultant
Lori Van Handel, whom we hired with a $4,200 grant from
the Lower Hudson Conference, wrote a report that will in
turn form the basis for grant applications to the National
Endowment for the Humanities for recommended
upgrades to our facilities.
3

Columbia County Historicial Society Members and Supporters
Public Funding
Columbia County Board of Supervisors
Institute of Museum & Library Services
Lower Hudson Conference
National Endowment for the Humanities
New York State Council on the Arts
New York State Legislature
New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation & Historic Preservation
Regional Community Historic
Preservation Benefit Plan Grant
Program
“Save America’s Treasures”,U.S. Dept.
of the Interior, National Park Service
Town of Kinderhook
Upstate History Alliance
Village of Kinderhook
Foundations
Furthermore
Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation
Ellsworth Kelly Foundation
Graham Foundation
J.M. Kaplan Fund
Hudson River Bank & Trust Co. Foundation
Corporate Support
Berkshire Telephone Co.
Kleeber Agency, Inc.
Metz Wood Harder Insurance
Stewart's
Anderson Agency Inc.
Cavagnaro Construction Co.
Hall Construction
Ed Herrington, Inc.
Mario's Home Center, Inc.
Saturn Industries, Inc.
The Lofgren Agency, Inc.
Germantown Telephone Co., Inc
Lindowen's American Country
National Union Bank of Kinderhook
Barns & Farms
Beach & Bartolo Realtors, Inc.
Coldwell Banker Bartolotta Assoc.
C.W. Bostwick
Ceramaseal
Hudson Valley Dental Care
Risedorph Distributing Co.
Fingar Insurance
Empire State Appraisal Consultants
First Fuel & Heating, Inc.
Hillsdale Country Realty
Hunter Motor Coach
The Independent
Kaz, Inc.
The Kinderhook Group
KREF Corporation
Stan Martin Ford, Inc.
Miller-Wilkins, Inc.
Rotary Club of Northern Columbia
County
Taconic Telephone
Woodhill Veterinary Group
Second Century Circle
Arthur Baker & Jacqueline Wilder
Mr. & Mrs. George N. Biggs, III
Mr. & Mrs. James Buckley
Ms. Lauren M. Desharnais
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Douglas
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Eckhoff
Sheldon Evans
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Eyre, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. David Forer
Judith Backer Grunberg
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Haemmerlein
Jean D. Hamilton and Richard N. McCarthy
Timothy Husband & Nicholas Haylett
Clara Kellner
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kelly
Mr. & Mrs. John Kelly
John S. Knott
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Livingston
Mr. Gustavo Martinez
Martha McMaster
Harvey S. Shipley Miller
Mr. Stephen P. Schaibel
Mr. & Mrs. Colin Stair
Ron Toelke and Barbara Kempler-Toelke
David E.Tripp
Susan Gerwe Tripp
Esther L.Tuttle
Thomas Tuttle and Mila Atmosudirojo
Benefactor
Friends of Clermont
Lois F. Arnold
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cashen
Mr. & Mrs. J.Thomas Clark
R. Paige Donhauser
Mr. Gary A. Gidlow & Marla A. Metzner
Barry Herbold
Kinderhook Business & Professional
Association, Inc.
Mr. Stephan M. Mandel
Edgar M. Masters
Olana Partnership
Michael & Barbara Polemis
Richard S. Ryan
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred L. Scott
Walter & Lois Urda
Sponsor
Alexandra Anderson Spivy & Jock Spivy
Katherine S. Borgen
Mr. John B. Carroll
David & Yvonne Crawford
Jeff Daly & Gary Delemeester
James Fleming & Steven Magnuson
Mr. & Mrs. Carl Florio
Francis Greenburger
John V. Hannam & Herminio Ramirez
Willis Hartshorn & Patricia Martin
Virginia Henneberry
Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Jocham
Cathy M. Kaplan & Renwick D. Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kenner
Charles & Joanne Knauss
Caryn & Sylvain Leroy
Alexander Leventhal & Stephanie Willette
Kelley & Arlene Love
Mr. & Mrs. John MacMurray
Beth O’Connor
Antonio Poglianich & Peter A. O'Kuhn
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Pomeranz
Betsy Riley
Katie & Morrie Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. James Salerno
Mr. John Sare
Robert & Suzanne Sherwood
Mark & Glynnis Snow
Mr. & Mrs. David Strousse
William F.Terry
Mr. & Mrs.Woodruff L.Tuttle
Renato & Eleanor Valente
George H.Vollmuth & Janet Langlois
Mr. David William Voorhees
Mr. & Mrs. Gerard Woods
Anne-Marie & Alan Young
Mrs.Warren E Zittell
Patron
Mary Ann Aiello & Raymond P. Lammens
Suzanne & James Aisenberg
Mr. Pierce Allen
D. Z. Anagnost
Dr. & Mrs. Neal A. Baillargeon
Valerie Balint & Brock Ganeles
Lawrence Henry Bank
Gwyneth Barger
Dr. & Mrs. Leonard Bart
Jean M. Campbell Beaven
David & Betsy Berliner
Mr. Robert F. Bisson
Mr. & Mrs. Roderic H. Blackburn
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bradford
Mr. Bernard T. Brennan
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E. Browdy
Mr. Joseph Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Brown
Mr. Kurt W. Butenhoff
Mr. John A. Celentano, Jr.
Bruce & Susan Charbonneau
Ms. Susan Chiafullo
Barbara & Myron Cohen
Pamela H. Cohen & John P. Kingsley
Faith Coleman
Mr. G.Whitfield Cook
Kendra Cornell & Dan Franklin
Mr. Allan R. Cox & Sally J. Dessloch
Mr. & Mrs. John Cozzolino
Mary & Brian Daggett
Ms. Joan K. Davidson
Mr. Martin J. Davidson and Lydia R. Smith
Mary Del Nunzio
Marjory K. Desrosiers
Catherine Draper
David Draper & Janet Lamphier
Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Drumm
Doug & Leslie Dumont
J.T. Easley & Peter Freiberg
Joanne A. Eisenhower
Mr. Charles Fisher
Heidi S. Fiske
Craig Fitt & Bruce Shostak
Kristin & Charlie Flood
Priscilla Frisbee
Mr. Robert Galbraith
Deborah & Ralph Gardner
Charles & Adelia Geiger
Mrs. James K. Gibbons
David & Ruth Gillespie
Mr. M.J. Gladstone
Mrs.Willard Golovin
Robert & Marian Guerriero
Mr. James P. Hamilton
Lisa & Steven Hankin
Conrad Hanson & Joel Lasher
Patrick Harris & Timothy Sullivan
Susan & John Hart
Marguerite Heald
Susan & Pavel Hillel
Dassie & Arthur Hoffman
Susan Hoffman and Peter Heilbroner
Michael S. Insel
Ann Israel
Kevin Jacobs & Will Swift
David W. Johnson
Mr. Peter Jung
Ms. Elizabeth Kaido
Megan Kane & Zohar Lazar
Frederick Kaufman & Elizabeth Berger
Stewart Kaufman, MD
Albert & Carol Knoll
Mr. John Kordel
Luisa Kreisberg
Mr. A. Michael Krieger
Mr. Edward H. La May
Paul & Elizabeth Lardi
John & Maryanne Lee
Leah & Ronald Lenney
Mr. & Mrs. Jay Levy
Jeff Lick & Steve McCarthy
John & Susan Livingston
Mr. Gregory Long
Rev. Richard H. Lutz
Mr. Daniel L. Lynch
Linda Mandel & Pierre Clerk
Nancy Maulsby
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Melamed
John D. Mickle
Peter Minichiello
Gerard & Patricia Minot-Scheuermann
Jules Molenda
Michael & Christine Moran
Richard & Carole Mott
Mr. & Mrs.Thomas Murdock
Dr.Thomas Naidich &
Michele Levin Naidich
Verna & Ken Neilson
Daniel O’Sullivan &
Debra Townsend O’Sullivan
Helen C. & Robert Pace
Mr. David W. Palmquist
Martha V. Parrish
Jim & Mary Ann Pianelli
Mr. & Mrs. Grant Platt
Harry A. Pulver
G. Stewart Ray, M.D.
Charles F. & Lois B. Rice Jr.
Lawrence V. Rickard
4

Mr. & Mrs Robert A. Robinson
Jay & Patti Rohrlich
Alfred & Deirdre Ross
Richard P. Rubinstein &
Katherine S. Kolbert
Mr. Raeph W. Sanderson
Dr. & Mrs. Albert Sax
Mr. James Schamus & Ms. Nancy Kricorian
Glenn & Cheryl Schnackenberg
Mrs. Earl Schram
Alice F. Skelsey
Ms. Genevieve Baker Slonezewski
Mr. Freling H. Smith &
Ms. Linda Griffin Smith
Kathleen & Frederick Smith
Harvey & Gabriella Sperry
Harvey G. Stack &
Susan C. Stack & Lawrence R. Stack
Lynn M. Strunk
Dr. Steve Szebenyi & Ms. Stahley LaRoe
Joan A.Thom
Maynard & Kay Toll
Mr. Mathew Tombers & Mr. Albert Tripp
Kim E.Tripp
Ardith Truhan & John Markus
Mark Twentyman & Linda Vault-Smith
Mr. Everett H.Van Hoesen
Mrs. H. A.Von Behr
Jay & Eileen Wallace
Ms. Marian M.Warden
Herbert J.Weintraub
Mr. & Mrs. Clark Whelton
Judith Whitbeck
David D.White
Mr. & Mrs. Richard White
Jane Ten Broeck Wilner
Scott & Jane Wood
Robert & Quintina Worsfold
Bonnie Yochelson
Anonomous (8)
Family
Olaf & Johanne Andersen
Judith Anderson & Jerry Cosgrove
Ray & Mary Ellen Andrews
Fern Apfel & Andrew Pellettieri
Josef Asteinza & Randall Bourscheidt
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Balint
Mr. Jeff Bancroft & Mr. Dan Coffman
Barnell Farm
Andy & Paige Bart
Alfred & Joanne Bartolotta and
Sarah & Alfred Tyler Bartolotta
Robert Roane Beard
Mary Gail Biebel & Roy Carwile
Madeline Bohnsack
Timothy & Dallas Briney
Stephen & Karen Budd
Marilyn F. Burch
Mr. & Mrs. Albert S. Callan
Michael & Melanie Carroll
Virginia M. Casasco &
Casasco-Lucarelli Family
Ms. Sara Cashen & Mr.Tony Muoser
Sara & Paul Costello
Roy Cowherd & Elisabeth Simon
Mr. Edouard A. Daunas
John & Nataly Dee
Warren & Sue Delp
Mr. & Mrs. James Dunham
Paul & Janice Edgerton
Constance Eiseman & Michael Altschuler
Mr. & Mrs. John Faso
John & Janice Felt
Laurie & James Gambee
Steven & Lillian Gleason
Marc & Merle Gold
David, Marilyn & Ben Goldman
Robert Goldsmith & Teresa Carbone
Joseph Gosler & Sheila Wolper
Mr. & Mrs.Thomas Griffen
John & Ila Gross
Heinz & Vesna Grossjohann
Michael & Vanessa Gruen
Thomas & Mary Hack
Richard & Joanne Hahn
Patrick Harbron & Dana Spot
Ellen & Eric Harris-Braun
Mr. & Mrs. Eliot D. Hawkins
Max & Rae-ann Heinrich &
Leonora Heinrich
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Heminway
Damon & Mary Ellen Hern
Raymond & Mary Ellen Holtzman
Andrew & Elizabeth Howard
Randy & Eric Hustvedt
Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Insull
Lee F. Jamison & Emily & Jamie Larson
Mary & William Janeway
Kate Johns & Jason Shaw
Anna & Larry Kadish
Marilyn E. Kaplan & Robert T. Fullem
Dr. & Mrs. Spero P. Katsivelos
Chris Keating & Julie Keating
Ms. Hela Kindler
Dennis & Daryl King
Karlis & Margot Kirsis
Mr. & Mrs Robert Kleinberg
Verlyn Klinkenborg & Lindy Smith
Valerie & Fred Knecht
Kenneth & Barbara Kranz
Cathe & Kim Krueger
Brig. Gen. & Mrs. James Laurie
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leary
Pamela Lehman & Donald Walker III
Wendy & Richard Lehman
Deirdre Leland & Frank Rhyner
Harold & Rhonda Magid
Mr. Frank J. Mammone
Dr. & Mrs. Ira & Susannah Marks
Elizabeth Martin & family
Seth Masters & Suzette Brooks Masters
Mary E. McGarry & Stanley Okula
Libby & Jack McKee &
Sterling & Trevor Mckee
Barbara & Douglas McNevin
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Meredith
Judy Meyer
Franklin Micare & The Amorous Clock
Barbara K. Miller
Rhonda & Eric Moore
Ruth Moore & Mark Wilson and Family
Tom & Olga Moreland
Mr. Richard Morrill
Drs.Tamton & Rahma Mustapha
Michael & Sandy Myers
Jay M. Neuschatz & Tessy Keller
Robert & Patti Norris
Todd & Theresa Parsons
Robert Peduzzi & Diane Smook
John & Grace Pickett
Nancy & Bob Pollard
Norman Ames Posner, MD &
Charles A. Baker
Lewis & Gretchen Rubenstein
Viki Sand & Roberta Bernstein
Allen A. Schaefer & Robert F. Baksa
Barbara & David Schimansky
John & Sara Schubert
Frederick A.O. Schwarz, Jr. & Ricky Perera
Diana & George Shear
James & JoAnn Sheehey
Dr. & Mrs. Harold Spalter
Edward Sullivan & Clayton Kirking
Linda & Fred J. Sutherland &
Fred E. Sutherland
Jill Anson Szarkowski & T. John Szarkowski
Mark Todd & Esther Watson
Mr. & Mrs. Courtland W.Troutman
Mr. & Mrs. F. James Tuttle
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Vail
Martin Van Buren N. H. S.
Frances & Paul Veillette
Albert & Claire Verenazi
Ronald Wagner & Timothy Van Dam
Bryce & Deanna Waldrop
Laura Walsh & Paul L. Greer
Clifford & Gloria Wexler
Rob Whitlock & Roby Hastey
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wilcox
Herbert & Eliza Woodward
Jeffrey Zimbalist & Judith Gray Zimbalist
Anonomous (5)
Individual
Mr. Michael Adlerstein
Ginny Arveson
Mr. Daniel M. Banovic
Mrs. James M. Beale
Judge Cyril K. Bedford
Donna T. Bemiss
Pamela Bentien
Gregg Berninger
Rima Bostick & Herbert Heldman
Mr. David W. Branch
Marlene Brody
Fredda Herz Brown
Mr.Walter J. Brown
Katherine Buckley
Susan L. Campbell
Mr. Lawrence Cavagnaro
Isabelle Claxton
Paul Colatrella
Mr.Thomas Colman
Ms. Dianne Cox
Joseph D'Onofrio
John Danzer
Margaret Davidson
Mr. John Davis
Barbara L. de Mare
Jane E. Deane
Dr. Marsha A. Diamond
Lois Dickson
Jim DiGioia
Mr. Andrew Dolkart
Susan Jane Droege
Roberta S. Dunn
Jane Ehrlich
Teresa Favreau
Janice Fingar
Kate Gartner
Muriel K. Gibbons
Nancy Ginsberg
Mrs. Susan Gladstone
Paulina Gobrecht
Mr. Leo Goeke
Fayal Greene
Carrie Haddad
Steve Hamilton
Cherie Hanson-Rodriguez
Ms. Madelynn Heintz
J.Theodore Hilscher
Hugh Howard
Thomas W. Hunt, C.P.A.
Mary S. Irish
Mr. Joseph Iuviene
Peter Van Ness Jamieson
Carla Jenkins
Charles E. Jenkins, Jr.
Kathleen E. Johnson
Jeanne Branch Johnston
Joan M. Kaden
Jeanne A. Kavanaugh
Ms. Kathleen J. Kilgus
Carol E. Kramer
Kristina Kwacz
Mr. Jonathan E. Ladd
Mr. Gary Leggett
Sally B. Light
Sharon S. Lips
Michelle Liptak & Robert Pesaro
Mr. James D. Livingston
Virginia Martin
Mr. Anthony Masciarotte
Barbara & George Mayer
Sheran McCants
Ms. Kathleen Griffin McGee
Douglas McGivney
Mary Ann & Richard McLoughlin
Chas A. Miller, III & Birch Coffey
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Mintcheff
Anne M. Mulderry
Richard Nabozny
Ms. Lucia Nevai
Mr. George Nichols
Connie Nooney
Mr. Sandy Noyes
Lynne O'Connell
Jane Palleschi
Roseann Perna
Julia Philip
Ruth Piwonka
Hal J. Powers
Mr. Peter Reed
Anne E. Reuter
Mr. Albert B. Roberts
David A. Rockwell
Thomas A. Romich
Terence J. Rowland
Marjorie A. Russell
Mr. James Scherer
Mr. George M. Schermerhorn
Carolyn M. Seamon
David Seamon
Mary A. Seymour
Ms. Bonnie Shannon
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Sharp
Charles P. Shattenkirk
Lindsay D. Shea
Alvin W. Sheffer
Ms. Suzanne Whitman Shook
Jean Skevington
Jane Bennett Smart
Carol Fosmer Smith
Garry D. Smith
Society for the Detection of Horse Thieves
Margaret Sommer
Marianne Steiner
David & Ellen Sullivan
Rosalie A. Sweet
Mrs. Lucy J.Tarbox
Lisa K Thompson
Alice Timothy
5

Mr. Jay Topkis
Mrs. John D.Traver
Jane Trumpy
Mike Urbaitis
Rita H.Van Alstyne
Mr.Wm. Durl Van Alstyne
Ms. Susan Vaughn
Amy K.White
Ms. Roberta White
Dave Winans
Anonomous (4)
Senior Dual
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allen
David & Marilyn Armstrong
Matthew & Muriel T. Asbornsen
Dorothea & John Baka
Mr. & Mrs. Burns F. Barford, Jr.
Mary G. & Philip Bartolotta
George H. Beach & Adelaide W. Beach
Marion & Dana Berntson
Paul & Sally Berry
Charles & Liliane Brassard
Charles & Virginia Brieant
Douglas & Kathryn L. Burgess
Albert & Helga Burkhart
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Cappelletti
Stanley & Hazel Carr
Cornelia & Douglas Cartwright
Margaret M. & James Cashen
Ann & David Clapper
John & Linda Cross
Dr. Harold J. Cummings
Suzanne & John De Monchaux
Mr. & Mrs. H. Russell Denegar
Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Dorsey
Richard & Rose Duntz
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome A. French
Robert & Esther L. French
Mr.Thomas Fusto, P.E.
Joan D. & Richard Garnar
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Gay
Dr. & Mrs. Edward P. Ginouves
Stanley Gotlin & Barry Waldorf
Gail M. Grandinetti
Barbara Green & Carol Miller
Art & Elaine Greenberg
Mr. & Mrs.William Hamilton
Walter & Barbara Harris
Lemuel H. Hawver & Barbara M. Hawver
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Hubert
Dorothy Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Jones
Vivian W. Kardaras & E.P. Adam
Nancy & Gordon Kaye
Meredith & Carl Kling
Donna & Alvin Knoll
George & Juanita Knott
Fred & Sally Laing
Asheton Langdon & Douglas Kent
Roderick W. Link & Ruth H. Link
Mr. Spiro Malas
Donald F. & Barbara Malin
John & JoAnn McCreight
Kate McLeod & Jerry Flint
Elizabeth & David McMillan
Victor & Florence Meyers
Judge & Mrs. Roger J. Miner
J. Peter Mullins
Robert F. & Joan M. Nabers
Mrs. John Nabozny
Roger & Lorelle Phillips
Robert & Virginia Radley
Mr. & Mrs.William A. Rendall
Mr. & Mrs L. David Reynolds
Mr. & Mrs F. Karl Schoenborn
Mr. & Mrs. Osborn Segerberg
Elane & Frederic Seltzer
Richard & Shirley Sheriff
Dinita Smith and David Nasaw
Lyle & Carole Stuart
J. Sally & Roy R.Thomson
Winnie & Craig Thorn
W. M. Dirk Van Allen
Winfield Vogl & Richard Enos
Mr. & Mrs. Frank E.Vosburgh
Jerene & Josh Weitman
William & Nancy Wixom
Senior
Sigmund Abeles
Mr. Jerome J. Anthony
Mrs.William T. Appell
Ms. Doris Ashley
Stephen Benedict
Virginia Sharp Best
Evelyn Bordewick
Patricia L. Borras
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Breeze
John A Brissee
Catherine Tyler Brody
Jean Brower
Ms.Virginia Brown
E. Leslie Byrnes, Jr.
Mrs. Louise V.D. Cardinal
Denise & Donald Carson
Lois Cassina
Dr. Barbara L. Christen
Mrs. Mirial Clapp
Patricia Clemens
Don Cole
Jean F. Cook
Kathryn M. Day
Janice Wild Dee
Mr. Rodman deKay
Barbara DeLee
Carol Dickson
Mr. Reynold W. Easton
Paul & Helen Fuller
Janet Cannnella Greenberg
Ms. Rebecca E. Greer
Dorothy M. Griffen
Mr. James D. Groat, Jr.
Mary S. Hallenbeck
Charles V.V. Hardiman
Mary E. Harding
Mrs. Lauretta P. Harris
Elizabeth Y. Harrison
Mr.Thomas A. Hennessy
Phyllis Herbert
Robert Herron
Dottie Higgins
Ms.Virginia C. High
Marie E. Hoffman
Emily K. Hogan
Dorothy Holsapple
Mary J. Howell
Larry Jenkins
M.K. Johnson DVM
Robert S. Jordan
Lois Katz
Ruth & Donald Killoran
Phyllis Kinzie
Norma M. Kirker
Mary T. Kluck
Phyllis Milburn Krieger
Mr. Bruno Kuhmerker
Clifford M. Lamere
Mrs. Carol B. Le Fevre
Cornelia Dickinson Lebens
Mr. John N. Lieber
Mr. James P. Mandaville
Norma A. Marsh
Mr. Stephen R. McGill
Helen F. McLean
Risha Meledandri
Miss Jean Mersereau
Evelyn Monthie
Martha T. Mooney
Karen Moore
Jean R. Morris
Richard C. Mugler Jr.
Evelyn C. Murray
Jerome & Barbara Mushkat
Anne Van Dyck Nauman
Eleanor P. Page
DeNola Perreten
Barbara Perry
Rev. Ralph E. Peterson
Bertha J. S. Petith
Calvin Pitcher
Anne Poleschner
John Race Powers
Joseph E. Rogers
Ms. Sonia Roosa
Edwin G. Rossman
Ms. Susan Sarlin
Mr. Felix A. Scardapane, Jr.
Janet Schurick
Judge Seymour Schwartz
Joan Seftner
Mr. Stuart Sheldon
Barbara Sherin
Mrs. Raymond Shortsleeve
Elizabeth Smith
Mary Anne Snyder
Wendy Power Spielman
Ellen Thurston
Hazel Van Aernam
Ray Van Hoesen
Mr. James LeRoy Van Schaack
Frances Downing Vaughan
Dorothy Von Bieberstein
William W.Vosburgh
Harvey J.Weber
Mr.Vincent Wessel
Ms. Nancy M.Westbrook
Claire Wheeler
Byron Williams
Rev. Canon F. Bryan Williams
Herman Witthoft
Jean Wolfersheim
Mrs. Dorothea M.Wrinkle
Mr. Arthur F.Young, Jr.
Chloe Zerwick
Anonomous (3)
Honorary
Lawrence J. Andrews, Jr.
William Anglum
Margaret C. Ayers
Steven & Ruth Ellen Berninger
Bernard Broast
Kathryn Burgess
Columbia County Planning
Edward Cross
Leonard Dooren
Anna Mary Dunton
Patricia Fenoff
Katherine Forer
Norma Fleisher
Friends of Lindenwald
Tod Grenci
Richard Hallock
Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Hamm
David W. Hart
Historic Cherry Hill
Crailo State Historic Site
Albany County Historical Association
Austerlitz Historical Society
Greene County Historical Society
Rensselaer Co. Historical Society
Germantown History Dept.
Hudson Opera House
Friends of John Jay State Historic Site
James Keegan
Donald Kline
Rita & Robert Laffety
Carla R. Lesh
Dominick Lizzi
Dorothy Losee
Millicent McKeon
Barbara McLain
Elinor Mettler
Mount Lebanon Shaker Village
Alan E. Mueller
Benjamin Murell
New York State Museum
Shaker Museum & Libary
Kathleen Nabozny
Connie Near
Charles Nichols
Albany Institute of History and Art
Olana State Historic Site
William & Sharon Palmer
Leo C. Pulcher
Marguerite Riter
Mayor Richard E. Scalera
Marc Schroder
Friends of Schuyler Mansion
George Sharpe
Gerald Simons
Rev. Ernest Smith
Mayor Gary Strevell
Angelo Valentino
Clara Van Tassel
Dolores Weaver
Albert Wheeler
Viola Williams
The Pieter Clasen Wyckoff Museum
Elizabeth Young
This roster covers the period
from June 1, 2000 through
May 31, 2003.
Every effort has been made to
produce an accurate listing of
our members and supporters.
Please contact the Society to
note any changes.
6

VANDERPOEL PROGRESS
The shutters disappeared from the Vanderpoel house last fall.
This was the first step in our current effort to jump-start a complete restoration
of the house, admittedly a project that will take a long time. Generous member
Paul Eckhoff funded the rebuilding and repainting of the shutters on the front.
When they go back up, they will bear a finish coat of very dark green (almost
black) paint. Restoration architect Doug Bucher had an analysis made of a many
layered paint sample we removed and determined the original color.The complete
rebuilding and repainting of the remainder of the shutters on the north,
south and east facades has been underwritten as a special project by the CCHS
board.The shutters will be rehung on period hardware, in some cases replacing
later additions, once the restoration of the windows has been completed.
The Building and Grounds Committee obtained an estimate from a qualified
restoration contractor to do the windows. This involves removing the sash,
repairing rails, mullions and muntins, working on the frames where necessary,
reglazing, and finally repainting with what the color research yields as original.
Sashes will then be re-installed and the shutters rehung. The estimate for the
window restoration, which we must do before we can start repairing and decorating
the interior, was $62,000.To fund this project we applied for a grant under
the Regional Community Historic Preservation Benefit Plan (part of the Athens
generating plant settlement with New York State).Terms of these grants are that
they will fund up to half a project’s cost and require a one-to-one match. We
were awarded the full $31,000 applied for. Now we must raise most of the
remainder.We are well on our way. Our development campaign brought in
major contributions that the donors asked be specifically used on the Vanderpoel
house, which will supplement dedicated funds already in hand. Earlier this
spring we went to the Kinderhook community of immediate neighbors to the
house and the response has been extremely generous, both in dollars raised and
the number of participants.We thank you and this beautiful historic house, anxious
to look its best, thanks you!
To help it look its best more of the time, we are also planning to illuminate the
front of the house during the evening hours. Distinguished lighting designer
Howard Branston has generously agreed to donate his services to devise the
plan.
Underway now is the detailed proposal and contractual process with the State
of New York required to release the grant money.We continue to seek matching
funds; all contributions are welcome!
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Martin H. Glynn New York State Historical Museum
opened to the public on June 3rd, at the Martin H. Glynn
Elementary School in Valatie.The museum created by the
students in the third and fourth grade classes of Michelle
Carey and Patircia Tollerton featured exhibits on Native
Americans, explorers, the Revolutionary War, government,
the Industrial Revolution, the Erie Canal and the Catskill
and Adirondack Mountains.
The students started working to create the museum in
mid-March, when they first met with CCHS educators
Ruth Ellen Berninger and Carla Lesh to name their museum,
write a mission statement, and learn to make decisions
by consensus. Each student wrote a letter describing
his/her qualifications for a specific staff position and was
“hired” by the teachers, who functioned as a board of
directors. As designers, builders, curators, publicists, educators
worked at their jobs, student directors kept them on
task, and served as liaisons to the board of directors.
The program is in its third year, and offers students a
hands-on experience to use knowledge they acquire
through visits to historic sites and museums. Over 550 students
have participated to date.
HISTORY & HERITAGE
VISITS HUDSON
The City of Hudson will be the main subject of the next
issue of Columbia County History & Heritage, which will
be published in July and contain more pages than heretofore
to accommodate this material. Nick Biggs will write
on “The Ups and Downs of Hudson.” Bruce Hall, the
author of the book, “Diamond Street,” will take us on a
walk up Warren Street in the 1820’s. Don Christiansen will
write on the South Bay area. Will Swift will reveal “The
Gated Community.” There will be great period pictures
from the collections of Rod Blackburn, Historic Hudson
and from Byrne Fone’s Rowles Collection. We hope to
take the reader on an adventure starting with the early settlers
to the whaling days to the city’s prominence as an
industrial port and commercial gateway to the northeast
and onward to the present.We will not be able to tell the
whole story, but we hope to leave our readers with a good
flavor that will be remembered.
The “Columbia County Historical Society Bulletin”
is a newsletter published periodically by the
Columbia County Historical Society, 5 Albany
Avenue, Kinderhook, NY 12106.
The Society is a private, not-for-profit organization
dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of
Columbia County history.
President Stephan M. Mandel
Director Sharon S. Palmer
Design and production:
Mimi Forer & Ron Toelke Associates
Sharon S. Palmer, Executive Director, accepting two grant awards from Commissioner Bernadette Castro.
7

3RD ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS
The third “Preservation of Columbia County Heritage Awards”
will be announced at the annual meeting of the Society on
October 18, 2003.The Society, in an effort to promote and preserve
the county’s rich historical heritage, established an awards
committee to honor outstanding achievements by county residents
in the field of history. Awards will be given to organizations
and individuals. A $1,000 scholarship will be given to a
student who has demonstrated a superior accomplishment in
their pursuit of historic studies. Scholarship applications are
available at the student’s guidance department in his/her district
within the county.
The Society invites town historians, historical societies, residents
of the county, and teachers to make recommendations for
nomination. Categories that may be considered for the awards
include historic preservation efforts, lands and landscapes, businesses,
crafts, the care of objects and artifacts and archives, and oral
histories. Nominations need not be limited to these categories.
Please call the Society at 518-758-9265 for information or
to request a Nomination Application to be submitted to the
Columbia County Historical Society, P.O. Box 311, Kinderhook,
NY, 12106, by the deadline date of September 30, 2003.
The Society wishes to recognize the diligent and conscientious
preservation and conservation efforts afoot in Columbia
County and will be pleased to hear from you with nominations
of interesting people and projects. Past recipients include: the
Ancram Preservation Group, Austerlitz Historical Society, the
Clermont’s Town Board, the Livingston History Barn, several
town historians, and teachers, just to name a few. Send in your
nominations soon
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 24th until November 22nd
Exhibition: Arthur A. Baker
Wooden Churches—Columbia County Legacy
May 31st Sponsors’ Reception-Vanderpoel House
June 3rd “Martin H. Glynn New York State Historical
Museum” opening
June 7th Tour and KinderCrafters
June 14th First Columbians’ Reception
June 15th Luykas Van Alen House Antiques Festival
Aug 31st Concert and Picnic
Aug 16th & Monthie Slide Program Hudson Opera House-
Aug 23rd
Sept
Second Century Circle Dinner
Nov 8th Jacobs Benefit Recital-Nathan Wild House
Dec 6th until December 14th
Gallery of Wreaths and Holiday Gift Boutique
Dec 12th Greens Show and House Tour on
Kinderhook Village Candlelight Night
5 Albany Ave., Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518)758-9265
www.cchsny.org
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 12
Kinderhook, NY
In this issue:
• Wooden Churches—Columbia County Legacy
• Educational Programs
• Vanderpoel House Restoration
• Members and Supporters
•Preservation Awards