For everyone

Photo by Phyenix Young-White. Dwayne Douglas Q: So were you born and raised entirely in Poughkeepsie? A: I was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, actually, in the West Indies. In August 1990 I moved to Poughkeepsie. I was 8 years old. I would say I was raised here in Poughkeepsie. Q: When you moved here, […]

We are very grateful to Rob Gosselink for lending his beautiful 1868 painting by Caroline Clowes to the exhibition, Fertile Ground: the Hudson Valley Animal Paintings of Caroline Clowes. We have been able to locate three preparatory sketches Clowes developed (dated and signed in the summer of 1868) in advance of the painting (also dated […]

In our examination of the local history of the craft of Jewelry, we include silversmiths, watch and clock makers, engravers, and metal workers in general. The local story begins with the nationally renowned Andrew Billings, who was highly regarded, and frequently employed by, General Washington in both a personal capacity as well as an official […]

Invest in what is important Dear members and friends of DCHS,  While this seems like an obvious thing to say, we ask you to consider a greater than usual year-end contribution to the Dutchess County Historical Society that reflects our larger ambition and greater successes in recent years. By doing so, you will be ensuring […]

Dutchess County History Community Dutchess County Historical Society Local Vice PresidentsCraig Marshall, Chair Regular Quarterly Meeting: Postcard WorkshopDecember 14, 2022 For best view, full screen, click on Watch on YouTube, otherwise just press the red play button.

With Rob Doyle This program is part of the exhibition, Fertile Ground: the Hudson Valley Animal Paintings of Caroline Clowes. Below: Click on Watch on YouTube to open a new window & to view full screen. Click on the red play button in the middle to view within the existing window. The generous support of […]

Two Rhinebeck Houses Reflect Opposing Political Views in 1860 By Bill Jeffway A study of two houses across the street from each other in Rhinebeck, and the politics of their owners, is a study in the politics of our early republic in the run-up to the Civil War and the split in the north within […]

For a very long time, since 1809 to be precise, the best-known Knickerbockers have been the fictional characters depicted by the author Washington Irving in a satirical history of New York. His work spawned the use of the iconic name to mean a “real” New Yorker, the Dutch focus reflecting the fact that the first […]

DCHS Yearbook Items From DCHS Collections Above left then clockwise: Recruiting Poster, Welcome Home Poster, Medical Doctor Certificate of Serivce, Surgeon’s Kit, Draft Wheel. DCHS Collections Recommended starting places: Titus Papers (150th Regiment) Thomas Collection (128th Regiment)