Ulster County’s 5th Cultural Heritage Week Includes Events Offered By Historical and Cultural Organizations Throughout The County
Kingston, NY- County Executive Mike Hein announces Ulster County’s 5th annual Cultural Heritage Week will be held from October 9th through October 18th. Many events are scheduled throughout the County to commemorate 
Ulster’s rich history and tradition. “This is a great opportunity to appreciate and experience some of the wonderful historical and cultural events right here in Ulster County,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “There are activities for all ages and I encourage residents and visitors alike to visit the many amazing sites and structures, including a re-enactment of the Pre-Revolutionary burning of Kingston. We are also fortunate to have so many landmarks and historical sites and I invite everyone to participate in this fun and educational week.”
To highlight this week’s activities, the County Executive will be visiting the Friends of Historic Kingston’s Museum in uptown Kingston on Thursday, October 8th at 12 p.m. where the gallery is displaying an exhibition entitled: Jervis McEntee: Kingston’s Artist of the Hudson River School. This is the first presentation of the work of this Kingston native who was one of the leading members of the Hudson River School. McEntee enjoyed his times outdoors in his Rondout neighborhood where he lived his entire life, which led to landscapes being the subject of his paintings. The Friends of Historic Kingston will be exhibiting McEntee’s work Fridays and Saturdays during Cultural Heritage Week on October 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Peter Roberts, President of the Friends of Historic Kingston
“Cultural Heritage Week is a great way to bring our region's remarkable history alive for our citizens and visitors to Ulster County,” said Peter Roberts, President of the Friends of Historic Kingston. “We appreciate County Executive Mike Hein's efforts to promote the many historical sites in our area, and are pleased to have people visit the Friends of Historic Kingston Gallery and the adjacent Fred J. Johnston House."
During Ulster County Cultural Heritage Week, some of the other activities being offered to the public include:
- The Ulster County Clerk’s recognition of the 350th Anniversary of the signing of the Peace Treaty between Governor Richard Nicolls and the Sachems and the Sopes Native Americans
- City of Kingston’s – Re-enactment of the Burning of Kingston
- Byrdcliffe Arts Colony and White Pines’ Walking Tour through more than 100 years of historic buildings and grounds
- The Matthewis Persen House Museum will be participating in the Burning of Kingston events and will also include exhibits by:
- The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History - Rondout Revisited
- Gomez Mill House Museum – presentation by staff
- Ulster County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee Mustering Out: The End of the War 1865-2015 150 years
- The Klyne Esopus Museum is celebrating A Taste of History
- Locust Lawn Farm in Gardiner is having a Handwork Day and offering guided tours
- The Old Dutch Church will be having Historic Cemetery Tours; The Senate House is holding an 18th Century Autumn Festival and having guided tours
- D&H Canal – Five Locks Tour
- Historic Huguenot Street – Haunted Huguenot Street and much more.
Richard Remsnyder, Ulster County Tourism Director
"Cultural Heritage Week has grown into a truly significant event where both Ulster County residents and visitors can learn about the vast cultural history of our County," said Ulster County Tourism Director Richard Remsnyder. "The many cultural heritage organizations in our area have a great deal to offer and I appreciate County Executive Hein's support of local history."
The National Register of Historic Places lists more than 160 sites in Ulster County alone. A calendar of events for Ulster County’s Cultural Heritage Week can be viewed at http://ulstercountyny.gov/cultural-heritage-week and can be found on the County’s websites: www.UlsterCountyNY.gov and www.UlsterCountyAlive.com. For more information contact the County Executive’s office at 845-340-3800.
Photo: County Executive Mike Hein at Perrine’s Bridge
