1985
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TOWN OF WAPPINGER
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ROUTE 376. RD 3
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N y, 12590
TEL. 462-1551
TOWN HIsTORIAN
CONSTANCE O. SMITH
January, 1985
ANN U A L
R E P 0 R T
TOW N
HIS TOR I A N
As in the past, 1984 was a very busy and most enjoyable year.
I was able to spend more time in research this year. Mr. T. Sommerville
and I have continued to correspond, both hoping to corne up with some
history of the Wappinger Cigar Factory but so far neither of us has been
able to find any additional information.
Several requests were made for information about families and houses in
the area. These requests were made by mail, telephone, or sometimes
both. Some of the more intresting ones were from Messrs. John Church
Cruger, Vermilye, Booth and William Boice. We're still researching
Cruger Island. A Mr. R. Snediker requested pictures for a book which I
was able to provide and a Mrs. Terry Terwilliger who resides in a salt
box house requested some help in getting started to do research on her
dwelling. I haven't heard how she's doing.
Once again I visited several 5th and 6th grades within the Wappingers
Central School District and two Roy C. Ketcham High School groups to show
slides. Three Girl Scout troops and one Boy Scout troop were visited and
several walking tours were conducted within the community. I also had
the honor of working with two Dutchess Community College students in a
special research project they conducted for the school.
I am working on a regular basis with 4th grade teachers in the District,
assisting them with research and printing of information about our com-
munity.
I have assisted local groups with research concerning historic areas that
may be affected by K345 lines and also with groups researching properties
for entry in the National Register of Historic Places.
The County Historian had many projects in 1984 which followed the Ter-
centennary Celebration. I assisted her with celebration of the 301st
birthday of Dutchess County and also coordinated local history confer-
ences. One of my most enjoyable contributions to the County Historian's
projects was serving as coordinator of the auto caravan during the RE-
ENACTMENT OF THE ROYAL VISIT OF '39 and acting as co-chairman of the ERVK
Centennial banquet.
The Poughkeepsie Journal as part of its 200th anniversary was issuing
grants to various organizations to help them carryon some portion of
their work. I assisted the Wappinger's Historical Society in their pre-
paration of a grant request.
It"
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I am presently serving as a trustee of the Dutchess County Historical
Society and, under that organization, acted as the Chairman of the Butt's
Library dedication and opening.,
A written history of the Town of Wappinger was provided for the County's
Tercentennary Edition of the Municipal Historian's book. I also pro-
vided the local radio stations with historical "blurbs' to be used during
the year.
At the present time I am taking a series of pictures of the new Town Hall
as the building progresses. These are being taken at certain intervals
so that we will have an artistic sequence as our building develops.....
"History of the Future".
All of the hamlets of the Town are in process of being researched. When
I am finished we will have a written history of each and every hamlet
which I hope will be of interest to all residents of the Town. This in-
terest in the hamlets was brought out because of the interest in the hamlet
of Hughsonville. I received two requests the very same week for informa-
tion as to how Hughsonville was named. One request was from a Nathaniel
Hughson of Halifax, Mass. and the other from Janette Hughson of Brookline,
Mass. Neither was aware of the other until these requests were answered.
As in the past we joined with the Village for Memorial Day ceremonies.
Our guest speaker was Robert Duncan, President of the Viet Nam Vets.
It poured during the whole speech but Bob was a gem and delivered a very
inspiring message.
Our Town Community Day parade, fireworks and activities were very success-
ful even though our "ride" vendor never showed. 1985 will bring a better
contract with them. Even without the rides, it was a great day.
The foregoing is a somewhat sketchy picture of some of the activities of
your Town Historian. I look forward to 1985 and its challenges and for
the opportunity of serving you again.
Respectfully submitted:
1 in
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Constance O. Smith, Historian