Embedded Files
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Special Events
Latest News from the Hudson Area Library- History Room
History of Whaling Teacher Workshop
HUDSON, NY - In conjunction with our current exhibit, Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce, the Hudson Area Library History Room staff are offering a Teacher Workshop on Wednesday, October 22, from 4-7pm cosponsored by the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center – with 3 credits of Continuing Teacher & Leader Education (CTLE). This workshop will be held at the library (51 North 5th Street, Hudson, NY). It explores Hudson’s whaling past and the application of this fascinating history to Social Studies, Language Arts, and Art curriculum and will be facilitated by co-curators and educators Elaine Eichelberger and Brenda Shufelt. The exhibit material covered in this workshop will be online in 2026 and accessible to teachers and their classes on the Hudson River Valley Heritage website.
Everyone who drives through the city of Hudson sees signs with the whale logo paying homage to Hudson’s beginnings as a whaling and maritime port during the late 1700s. This legacy of whaling left a lasting imprint on Hudson's cultural and economic landscape. Educators will have an opportunity to learn more about this unique local history and view documents and objects that help illustrate it, offering them a perspective they can incorporate into classroom study materials.
Registration is required. Register at https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?I=5102705&D=13206 The workshop will include digital and physical resource materials on the topic for all participants and light dinner.
The Hudson Area Library History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce Exhibit, on view during this workshop, traces Hudson’s founding and early history and the commerce that created its wealth and reputation as a whaling town. The exhibit is on view September through October 2025. This program was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Alan Coon, artist, graphic designer, and co-owner of Spotty Dog Books & Ale, has designed the graphics for the exhibition, which can be viewed during the workshop. The genesis of this exhibition came from the work and vision of Richard Bazelow. Richard is a local history researcher. For the past five years he’s been searching special collections at museums, libraries, the National Archives and historical societies for Hudson’s artifacts and whaling past.
CTLE Teaching Workshop (1).jpgIMAGE CAPTION: Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce logo design by Alan Coon & photo by Rich Volo
The Hudson Area Library History Room houses a collection that pertains to the history of the City of Hudson, Greenport and Stockport, as well as Columbia County and New York State. The History Room also hosts the Local History Speaker Series at the library, offering free monthly talks on diverse topics related to local history.
The History Room is open Saturdays, 10am-1pm and Wednesdays 6 - 8pm and by appointment. Online research requests for information on local history are available at historyroom.hudsonarealibrary.org/. This is a free service to the public. To inquire about an appointment email brenda.shufelt@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x106.
The Hudson Area Library is located at 51 N. 5th St. in Hudson, NY. The mission of the library is to enrich the quality of life by providing free and equal access to programs, services and resources, and by creating opportunities for all members of our community to connect, create, learn and grow.
Latest News from the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
Please be sure to check out the latest news from the RJHS:
Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
The Annual RJHS Summer Exhibition
Saturday July 12th thru Sunday October 26th, 2025
This summer, the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society (RJHS) is excited to unveil our upcoming annual exhibition, Sites to Celebrate: Local History Revisited. Join us for the grand opening on Saturday, July 12, 2 to 4 PM, as we embark on a journey through time that will run until Sunday, October 26, 2025.
This year's exhibit highlights ten historic sites within the Roe Jan area, each with a unique story. From well-known landmarks to hidden gems, and some that have recently emerged from the shadows of history, this exhibition invites you to explore the rich tapestry of our local heritage. Summer weekend programs will be pre-scheduled visits to actual sites featured in the exhibition.
The sites we will visit range from established historic districts to recently restored treasures and those currently undergoing careful restoration. This exhibition represents the combined efforts of the RJHS, the Copake Historic Preservation Committee, the Copake Grange, the Copake Ironworks, and many dedicated individuals, organizations, and public institutions committed to preserving our shared history.
AT THE MUSEUM:
Each weekend from 2-4 PM, the RJHS summer exhibition welcomes visitors to explore a plethora of information, photographs, documents, and artifacts representing the featured sites. The displays will vividly illustrate the historical significance of these locations and highlight how they have and continue to play a vital role in our community through restoration and repurposing. Notably, the RJHS venue, a former Methodist Church, was rescued, restored, and repurposed over 40 years ago. It remains a hub for the Roe Jan community as an active historical society and museum.
Working in concert with the RJHS Board of Directors, the Copake Historic Preservation Committee, the Copake Grange, and various individuals and organizations throughout the Roe Jan area are contributing valuable content, documents, artifacts, and images that will together breathe life into these significant historic places.
SITE VISITS:
In addition to our regular hours (Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 PM), RJHS will be hosting many special Sunday afternoon site visits from July through October. Sites we will visit include the former Bash Bish Inn and Copake Pure Water & Ice Co. Icehouse, the Copake Union Free School, the Craryville Depot Complex, the Copake Iron Works Historic District, Livingston era Mill Success, Boston Corner's original boundary marker in Ancram, Historic historic Hillsdale's town center, and others.
The site visits are free, but registration is required. Details regarding dates, times, and how to register will soon be available on the RJHS website. The RJHS website, future newsletters, and social media will continue to provide up-to-date information.
Note: From Saturday, July 12, to Sunday, October 26, the museum will be open during the regular 2 to 4 PM time slots on both Saturdays and Sundays. Museum admission and site visits are free. Donations are welcome.
Check out the latest blog from the Hillsdale Historians:
Page updated
Report abuse