Awards

This award honors exceptional contributions to the Dutchess County community and beyond in the areas of preservation, history, and/or education. 2022 Awardees: Lou & Candace Lewis At the 2018 Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley event which “honors individuals who are instrumental in improving lives through their community philanthropy,” Lou and Candace Lewis were recognized as “empowering local institutions both with financial support and personal involvement.” That is an apt description of their involvement with DCHS and local history for over a half century. Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, Lou’s involvement with DCHS formally started with his 1963 DCHS membership, the same year that he met Candace. “Two good choices that year,” Lou is happy to share! Candace’s involvement with local history commences at that time, as well.  A practicing lawyer for 50 years, Lou has represented many local non-profits including Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Locust Grove and Walkway over the Hudson. He serves on the board of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council. His is known at DCHS for his generosity of time, financial contributions, his fundraising efforts, and his ability to recruit key people, such as the current board President and Executive Director. Candace, a Vassar College graduate with a Ph.D. from the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU, has taught art history at Vassar and Marist colleges. Among her outstanding achievements at DCHS, in addition to being DCHS president, is her eight year tenure as DCHS Yearbook editor spanning the landmark 2014 Centennial Edition to volume 100, the 2021 Women of Dutchess County, New York: Voices and Talents, Part II. Candace’s invention of a two-part consecutive series amplifies the journal’s role as an in-depth resource that is used for generations. Whether measured individually, or together, Lou and Candace leave a lasting impression and have been among a top tier of financial donors, fundraisers, and stewards of DCHS and its landmark publication, the Yearbook. Lou & Candace Lewis At the 2018 Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley event which “honors individuals who are instrumental in improving lives through their community philanthropy,” Lou and Candace Lewis were recognized as “empowering local institutions both with financial support and personal involvement.” That is an apt description of their involvement with DCHS and local history for over a half century. Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, Lou’s involvement with DCHS formally started with his 1963 DCHS membership, the same year that he met Candace. “Two good choices that year,” Lou is happy to share! Candace’s involvement with local history commences at that time, as well.  A practicing lawyer for 50 years, Lou has represented many local non-profits including Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Locust Grove and Walkway over the Hudson. He serves on the board of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council. His is known at DCHS for his generosity of time, financial contributions, his fundraising efforts, and his ability to recruit key people, such as the current board President and Executive Director. Candace, a Vassar College graduate with a Ph.D. from the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU, has taught art history at Vassar and Marist colleges. Among her outstanding achievements at DCHS, in addition to being DCHS president, is her eight year tenure as DCHS Yearbook editor spanning the landmark 2014 Centennial Edition to volume 100, the 2021 Women of Dutchess County, New York: Voices and Talents, Part II. Candace’s invention of a two-part consecutive series amplifies the journal’s role as an in-depth resource that is used for generations. Whether measured individually, or together, Lou and Candace leave a lasting impression and have been among a top tier of financial donors, fundraisers, and stewards of DCHS and its landmark publication, the Yearbook. Prior Awardees Ralph & Doris Adams ~ J. Winthrop Aldrich ~ Myra Young Armstead ~ Barbara & Robert Bielenberg ~ D. David Conklin ~ Elizabeth A. Daniels ~ Frank Doherty ~ Edward E. Downey ~ Margaretta Downey ~ Jesse Effron ~ Frances Fergusson ~ John J. Gartland, Jr. ~ Joyce C. Ghee ~ Burton Gold ~ John & Gloria Golden ~ Frederica S. Goodman ~ Clyde Griffen ~ James F. Hall ~ Ada Scism Harrison ~ Bernard & Shirley Handel ~ E. Stuart & Linda Hubbard ~ Larry Hughes ~ Bradford H. Kendall ~ Michael Korda ~ Bill & Mary Lunt ~ Melodye K. Moore ~ Robert Murphy ~ Dennis J. Murray ~ Joseph N. Norton ~ Walter Patrice ~ Ruth Stafford Peale ~ Alice Provensen ~ Frances S. Reese ~ Caroline Reichenberg ~ Lorraine M. Roberts ~ Gretta Tritch Roman ~ Albert M. Rosenblatt ~ Fred Schaeffer ~ Dr. Sam Simon ~ Willa Skinner ~ Elizabeth Smith ~ Roger Smith ~ Marie Tarver ~ Gretta Tritch Roman ~ Denis D. VanBuren ~ Barbara Van Itallie ~ Norma W. VanKleeck ~ Kay Tremper Verilli ~ Mary Kay Vrba ~ Richard K. Wager ~ Kenneth Walpuck ~ Thomas S. Wermuth

For a business that demonstrates the long-standing tradition of service and commitment to local residents 2022 Awardee: J. Scheer & Co.Jonathan Scheer, CEO accepting J. Scheer & Co., couture cleaning & preservation, specializes in the cleaning, conservation, and long-term preservation of wedding gowns, exhibition couture, and historic costume and textiles. The company draws from museum based protocols to repair, clean, and prepare garment collections for long term storage. CEO Jonathan Scheer has studied conservation science and care of museum collections at the Smithsonian Institution’s Conservation Analytical Laboratory, the Art Institute of Chicago, and The Campbell Center for Historic Preservation. He is a graduate of Union College where he was earned a B.A. in history. Quoted in the New York Times, Scheer said, explaining the importance and potential of his work, “Seeing your mother’s wedding gown years later promotes family history. It encourages discussions between generations about time, place and cultural and religious customs.” J. Scheer & Co. serves as conservation cleaning consultant to the Tapestry Conservation Laboratory at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, and is recommended by couture bridal salons nationally, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier in New York, Stanley Korshak in Dallas, Carrine’s Bridal Atelier in Washington, D.C., Carolina Herrera in New York and Beverly Hills and Marina Morrison in San Francisco. J. Scheer & Co. is the recommended preservationist for renowned designers Oscar de le Renta, Amsale, Anne Barge, Carolina Herrera, Christos, Elizabeth Fillmore, Peter Langner, Monique Lhuillier, Kenneth Pool, Reem Acra, Angel Sanchez, Jenny Packham, Claire Pettibone, and Junko Yoshioka.Jonathan Scheer, CEO, J. Scheer & Co. Among the photographs in DCHS Collections are early 1930s photos of Poughkeepsie’s first dry cleaning business, donated by Jessica Rodd, a descendant of the Gold family of Poughkeepsie. The origins of the business date back to 1910 when Rebecca Cipnic established the New York Steam Cleaning business at 6 Liberty Street. By 1915 the business had been sold to Rebecca’s brother Samuel Gold and her brother-in-law Harry Gilman, who renamed the company the New York Steam Cleaning and Dye Works.  Circa 1916, Sam Gold bought out his partner. By 1925 the business, then known as United Cleaners and Dyers, had Moe Scheer and Alexander Stall as partners. By the 1930s, the business had dozens of stores in the Hudson Valley stretching from Mamaroneck to Albany, employing over 300 workers as tailors, spotters, finishers and dyers. Moe Scheer’s son, Hamilton and wife Barbara, were deeply involved in running the business. It is the current generation, after many, that transformed the business into a business of historic preservation. Congratulations to Jonathan Scheer of J. Scheer & Co., and the generations that preceded him! Prior Winners: Adams Fairacre Farms ~ Central Hudson ~ Children’s Home ~ EFCO ~ Marshall & Sterling ~ McCabe & Mack LLP ~ N&S Supply ~ Page Park Associates ~ Poughkeepsie Journal ~ Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery ~ Rhinebeck Bank ~ Saint Francis Hospital  ~ N&S Supply ~ Vassar Brothers Medical Center ~ Vassar-Warner Senior Residence~ Zimmer Brothers Photos from DCHS Collections Photos are a gift of Jessica Rodd. The donor’s uncle, Burt Gold, was interviewed at the time of the gift to DCHS and provided much of historical information regarding the photographs. Today, the business is still owned and operated by a descendant of partner Moe Scheer, evolving into a rare and highly specialized business. Moe Scheer’s grandson, Jonathan Scheer (the son of Hamilton Scheer, who was also deeply involved in running the business, and Barbara Scheer) is President and CEO of J. Scheer & Co., a firm specializing in the conservation cleaning and preservation of wedding gowns, exhibition couture, and historic textiles. He has studied conservation science and care of museum collections at the Smithsonian Institution’s Conservation Analytical Laboratory and the Art Institute of Chicago, among other such institutions.

Honors teachers at Dutchess County middle or high schools who bring innovation and creativity to impart a love and appreciation of local history. 2022 Awardee:Henry Frischknecht, Bulkeley Middle School, Rhinebeck Henry came to our attention last summer when he led an effort across Bulkeley Middle School Social Studies Classes, in Rhinebeck, encouraging students to creatively express what they learned about the event called Juneteenth, which had just been announced as a new federal holiday. Ensuring students were briefed with a good deal of local history, students created individual flags that when put together added up to a single iconic flag that was featured on the front lawn of Rhinebeck Town Hall. Frischknecht is known for having abandoned the old memorize-and-test approach. Instead, he invents creative approaches that use innovative technology to first inform students about a subject, and then subsequently asks them to express their critical thinking and understanding in equally creative ways. One of his most recent projects involves having students develop a documentary film discussing topics related to the Civil War.  He has brought in local film makers, leveraged students’ technological aptitude and brought in a multitude of primary sources, allowing them to research, script, film, and edit their own movies.  “This is the kind of authentic experience that helps our kids to think critically and be creative outside of the classroom” he said. Henry holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Dutchess Community College, continued his education at SUNY Albany where he majored in History with minors in Religious Studies and Anthropology, and completed his M.Ed degree at Marist in 2010.

Prior winners: Adams Fairacre Farms ~ Central Hudson ~ Children’s Home ~ EFCO ~ Marshall & Sterling ~ McCabe & Mack LLP ~ N&S Supply ~ Page Park Associates ~ Poughkeepsie Journal ~ Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery ~ Rhinebeck Bank ~ Saint Francis Hospital  ~ N&S Supply ~ Vassar Brothers Medical Center ~ Vassar-Warner Senior Residence~ Zimmer Brothers Prior Awardees Adams Fairacre Farms ~ Central Hudson ~ Children’s Home ~ EFCO ~ Marshall & Sterling ~ McCabe & Mack LLP ~ N&S Supply ~ Page Park Associates ~ Poughkeepsie Journal ~ Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery ~ Rhinebeck Bank ~ Saint Francis Hospital  ~ N&S Supply ~ Vassar Brothers Medical Center ~ Vassar-Warner Senior Residence~ Zimmer Brothers 2020/2021 Page Park Associates 2019 Steve & Pat Adams 2018 Wayne and Stephanie Nussbickel with Denise Van Buren. 2017 Accepting for Central Hudson, Denise Doring Van Buren 2016 Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Board President Michael Graham