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Historic Putnam

@historicputnam

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Celebrating the Natural Beauty, History, & Cultural Heritage of Putnam County, NY
Founded by @timmyfarina

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#BeldenHouse, one of the three #HudsonValley historic sites I am campaigning to save, a Masterpiece by #AlexanderJacksonDavis in the #CarpenterGothic style, arguably the most significant architectural site in all of #PutnamCounty. Owned since 1896 by the City of New York, used as offices for over 100 years then left to waste since 2006, when 8 Million Dollars set aside for its preservation mysteriously went missing, and the house was de-listed from the National and State Registers.

First built around 1750 by Thomas Belden, land agent of the Philipse Family who owned the entirety of Present-Day Putnam County, the house was later transformed by His Great Grandson to the design of #AJDavis, enlisting freedmen who had come North during the Civil War.

It is disputed whether the house was part of the #UndergroundRailroad, with some accounts claiming there to be a Freed Slave Cemetery on the site, while others hold this to be a Native Burial Ground which predates the house altogether.

Hundreds of Acres of the original farmlands as well as the house were taken by eminent domain by the City of New York in 1896, turned into West Branch Reservoir. Interestingly, the house was about the only thing spared, probably due to it’s prominence and utility as a major structure, while the entirely of the ‘old town’ of Carmel on the croton river was burnt to the ground.

#hudsonvalleyhistory #hudsonvalleyarchitecture #newyorkstate #putnamcountyny #savethishouse

Disclaimer * I did not enter the house to take these photos and hold a valid DEP Permit which allows me to walk Watershed Property * taken in West Branch Reservoir by @historicputnam

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Lake Canopus near my home in the Hudson Highlands, named after the Wappinger Indian Chief and my ancestor whose nearby village was considered the largest native settlement in the Hudson Valley at the time of contact. Happy to be home for the holidays ❄️🤍 taken in Putnam County by @historicputnam

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On site with Emily Hyatt of @trovedesignstudios at Carmel’s Historic Seth Foster House, the c.1760 home of a revolutionary war hero, recently acquired and being lovingly brought back to life by new owners. Swipe to see some construction photos as well as ‘Marriage Marks’ on the timber frame, which were exposed and thoughtfully incorporated into the design during the renovation. Excited to see how this project progresses and to join forces with such a wonderful client and designer duo. taken in Putnam County by @historicputnam

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This drawing from 1778 depicts my ancestor Daniel Nimham, the last Leader of the Wappinger Nation, who died defending his ancestral homeland during the War for Independence.

Daniel and his son Abraham had served alongside Washington at Valley Forge, and were the only two Native Americans elevated to the rank of Captain in the Continental Army. They received Christian names upon their baptism by famed missionary Jonathan Edwards “evangelist to the children of the forest” in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Daniel fought throughout his life to defend his Sovereign Claim to the Wappinger Homelands, which comprise the eastern shore of the Hudson River from the northern tip of Manhattan to present day Duchess County, including the “crown jewel of the highlands” Lake MaHopac where my family still resides. Daniel’s land claims were so well known and controversial in the colonial courts that He and three other Indian Chiefs were received at the court of King George III in England, where he remained for two years pleading the case.

The claim was not officially resolved until 1811 when the State of New York Settled with John Jacob Astor, who was the wealthiest Man in America, for $150,000, effectively ending any recourse for the Wappinger decedents.

Daniel and Abraham died along with 40 other men of the Wappinger and Mahican tribes at the battle of Kingsbridge in the Bronx, where ‘Indian Field’ exists today (Van Cortland Park). Many of the Stockbridge Indians removed to Wisconsin, where a federally-recognized decedent group live today, while others like my 6x Great-Grandmother Hannah (Daniel’s Daughter) returned to the Hudson Valley, living out their days in the only home they ever knew.

I am grateful to the knowledge bearers in my extended family who have helped me to reconnect with this history and to experience it on a personal level, as well as to have been able to research it under the guidance of Ned Blackhawk, one of America’s leading Indigenous Scholars, while a student at Yale.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay #rediscoveramerica #itsallnativeland #americanindian #nativeamericanheritage taken in Nimham Mountain State Forest by @historicputnam

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sometimes you just need to stroll through a historic house taken in Boscobel House and Gardens by @historicputnam

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The extraordinary view from @BoscobelHG is not just scenic but itself historic, as it was the vantage point from which Washington conceived of a ‘great chain’ laid across the river, barring British Ships from sailing upstream towards the continental army’s headquarters at Newburgh. Many seem to forget that two thirds of the War for Independence was fought in the Hudson Valley, the landscape is fundamental to the story of our origins, as are the Native Wappinger, Mohican and Mohawk Peoples who aided Washington’s command as navigators and translators to their kin in the region.
#America250 taken in Boscobel House and Gardens by @historicputnam

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Mahopac Golf Club, founded in 1898, one of the oldest and most historic courses in the Hudson Valley. Built at the height of the gilded age when Mahopac was a cultural capital in the region, populated by grand hotels and country estates. The original fieldstone clubhouse was unfortunately demolished in the 1960s but the course remains and is a beautiful hallmark of the community. We farinas are true amateurs who play only for the love of the sport and don’t take ourselves too seriously, it was a fun outing in celebration of Dad’s 69th Birthday. @amandaleefarinaa just missing @patfarina7 taken in Mahopac Golf Club by @historicputnam

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A perfect fall day for a visit to @BoscobelHG to see behind the scenes of the ongoing restoration work, and to catch a glimpse of the exhibition ‘Scenic Vistas’ just as the sun sets on its inaugural run.

Boscobel is an important example of Federal
Period architecture dating to 1806, but was demolished by the federal government in the 1950s to make way for a hospital. It is thanks to the dedicated cizienry of the Hudson Valley that much of the structure and architectural elements were saved, stored away in barns and garages for nearly a decade until it was reborn by a gift of Lila Acheson Wallace, the founder of Reader’s Digest in 1961.

Following the davasting collapse of the library ceiling last year, the house and collections were closed, with many priceless pieces of furniture, textile and decorative arts given by @MetMuseum left damaged or completely destroyed. But the incredible team headed by director and curator Jennifer Carlquist persevered, and now boscobel is once again being reborn.

In Scenic Visitas, the first exhibition of its kind in the Hudson Valley, the Historic House, now largely empty, is instead inhabited by the work of regional artists. Building on the theme of landscape and places of memory in the American Psyche, this increible collaboration is breating new life into the story of Boscobel.

Bravo to the incredible restoration team and artists, soon Boscobel will be back better than ever before!

@boscobelhg @hydeparkmouldings @philipstowngardenclub @visitcoldspringny
@hudsonrivervalleynha @inthevalley1 @hudsonvalleymag @thomascolesite

@mcnulty_alison @kat_howard @betsy.jacks @jameslancel @supersovak taken in Boscobel House and Gardens by @historicputnam

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The headless horseman was my ancestor, but his name was Hendrick Van Tassel 🤭 IYKYK #HappyHalloween from the birthplace of folklore 🎃 🐎 #sleepyhollow #sleepyhollowcemetery #legendofsleepyhollow
#washingtonirving taken in Sleepy Hollow, New York by @historicputnam

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Always chasing moon rises 🌙
Evening Kayak on Lake Mahopac taken in Mahopac by @historicputnam

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I’ve always held fall to be my favorite season, but this summer I felt such serenity and peace surrounded by the pristine waters of Putnam County. It wasn’t my plan to be back home for this long, but it has reminded me of the gift that it was to grow up here.

Yo nik ayuw
this is my home taken in Putnam County by @historicputnam

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hudson valley summer taken in Putnam County by @historicputnam

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