History of Industry along the Hudson

Posted 11/27/19

Long before planes, trains, and automobiles, the Hudson River served as the main highway for people and goods between what is now New York City and Albany. This dated back to the era even before the …

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History of Industry along the Hudson

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Long before planes, trains, and automobiles, the Hudson River served as the main highway for people and goods between what is now New York City and Albany. This dated back to the era even before the arrival of European settlers, when Native Americans travelled the same corridor. As methods of transport evolved between the 17th and 20th centuries from canoes to sloops to freighters, it was only natural that the producers of goods to be shipped would look for nearby real estate for building their manufacturing facilities.

At its monthly public program on Monday, December 2, at 7 p.m., the Town of Lloyd Historical Preservation Society (TOLHPS) is sponsoring a presentation by Allynne Lange, Curator Emerita of the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston. Lange will describe the history of Hudson River corridor industries from the early days of agricultural produce to products ranging from blue jeans to stoves – not to mention nuclear energy.

A native of the Hudson Valley, Lange grew up in Newburgh and graduated from Russell Sage College earning a degree in art history and education, with graduate work in art history and history. As a young woman, she volunteered at several regional museums before joining the staff at the Maritime Museum, where she was Curator from 1995 to 2018 when she became Curator Emerita. She also served briefly as Curator at the Delaware and Hudson Canal Museum in High Falls, and has been an active member of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay & the Highlands for nearly 25 years. Through her volunteer and professional roles, she has curated over 25 exhibits on Hudson River maritime and industrial history and presented many illustrated lectures on Hudson River history.

TOLHPS sponsors free monthly public programs from September to June, usually on the first Monday of the month at the Vineyard Commons theater/meeting room in Highland. Vineyard Commons is at 300 Vineyard Avenue, about a mile and a quarter from the Hamlet of Highland on Route 44/55, just south of the Hudson Valley Rehabilitation Center. To reach the theater, turn into Vineyard Commons and follow the signs to Building 6. At the request of Vineyard Commons management, audience members are asked to park their cars in the lot at the far right (west) end of the row of buildings that includes Building 6.

For more information about TOLHPS programs and plans, consult the organization’s website, TOLHPS.org, look for Town of Lloyd Historical Preservation Society on Facebook, or call (845) 255-7742.