About & Contact

The Dutchess County Historical Society (DCHS) remains committed to being the most meaningful source of Dutchess County history, a commitment in place since its 1914 founding. We do this through the responsible archival stewardship of tangible objects, and the restless and energetic interpretation and presentation of its history to the public.

DCHS conserves the past to help us understand the present and prepare for the future.

We are proud to be known for our community outreach through a wide range of publications, awards, exhibits, programs, talks, writings, videos, and oral histories. Our Annual Yearbook, published since 1914 and the oldest continuously published annual in New York State, is fully available online. In addition, 14 books on local history have been published.

Online and traditional exhibits, lectures, history awards, conferences, and special presentations a round out programming for members of the Historical Society and the community at large. DCHS is a not-for-profit organization. We rely on support from memberships, gifts, grants, and donations.

The Dutchess County Historical Society is a tax-exempt, charitable, non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

Watch a 2-minute video introduction:

[email protected]

Please submit requests in writing. To facilitate the most accurate and helpful response to you, please use this online form for questions related to the library, collections or research. In terms of genealogical requests, we frequently can not add to what is now broadly available online unless a family has left us information through a Collections Gift. Bill Jeffway, Executive Director.