PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
2024
Sunday October 6th, Starting at 2 pm Grange Historian Janet Mackin reprises her gallery talk about the historiy of the Copake Grange. Last day of Summer Exhibition.
Saturday, September 21 – Starting at 2 pm, Ross Mauri, will show artifacts found on his property, the site of the former Pure Water & Ice Company’s icehouse, followed by Mike Fallon of the Copake Auction, speaking about “collecting Copake” and many objects he’s put on loan for the bicentennial exhibition (program from 2 to 4 pm).
Saturday, September 14 – Judy Ackley Whitbeck, of the Mount Washington Historical Commission, will speak about growing up in Copake, her family, Empire Farm & the Copake Telephone Company, 2 to 3 pm.
Sunday, September 8 –a Commemorative Book Launch (book is Milestones 2024: Copake at 200 from 5 to 7 PM featuring three special speakers:
Donna Platt & Nancy Thorson spoke about recently donated historical signage and fire truck bell, and Catherine Mikic, Chair of Copake’s Historic Preservation Committee, spoke about the committee’s bicentennial book, Historic Copake New York, a reflection on Copake’s historic buildings, landscapes, and civic spaces..
Copake Grange Historian, Janet Mackin provided special insights about the history of the Copake Grange, the Grange Movement, and objects from the Grange collection on view at RJHS.
Sunday, September 1 from 2 to 4 PM,
The History and Mystique of the Bash Bish Inn
Captured in the 1912 Autochromes of
Paul G. Giuillumette
Presented by Kim and Linda Crossman
Sunday, May 19th at 2 PM
THE RENT WARS
Sunday, April 28th
2 pm
The Rent Wars: Criminals or Crusaders?
Jill Knapp, Author of "The Time for Redemption"
The premiere event of the Copake Bicentennial, Bradley Pitts. Chair of the Mohican Allyship Committee (MAC), made an hour long illustrated presentation on behalf of the recently established and groundbreaking MAC.
Sunday, March 17th
Mr. Pitts was joined by fellow MAC members Mary Ann Carrick, Catherine Mikic and Rita Jakubowski. The talk touched on a number of question like,what is a land acknowledgement? What is tribal allyship? And why are they important?
PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 2023
Wednesday, December 6th - 5:30 PM
An illustrated presentation by
Pamela McColl Author of "Twas the Night:
The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem"
Celebrating the 200th anniversary of A Visit from St, Nicholas (better known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas), with an illustrated presentation by Pamela McColl, author of the acclaimed book; Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem. Following the talk, McColl will signed and sold her book and refreshments were served.
Winter Walk inn Copake Falls,
Sunday, December 3, 12 to 4 PM.
Dr. Irma Waldo - A special Reprise of her book talk!
Will speak in person at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
SUNDAY OCTOBER 15th
2 to 3:30 pm
At the Roeliff Jansen History Society!
Please join us for Dr. Irma Waldo's "pop-up" gallery talk, when she will share memories of her 70 years of practicing medicine in your communities. Dr. Waldo will also discuss and read from her new memoir, The Doctor Wore High Heels, published by The Troy Book Makers. Even at 98, Dr. Waldo is as dynamic and passionate as ever, and talks about her groundbreaking career with astonishing detail! Copies of her book will be available, and she will be delighted to sign!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th at 5:30 PM
Special book talk at the
Roe Jan Community Library with
Dr. Irma Waldo
IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Co-sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen History Society
Part of the Roe Jan Writers Series: Dr. Irma Waldo will read from and discuss her memoir, The Doctor Wore High Heels, published by The Troy Book Makers earlier this year. Irma Waldo is ninety-eight years old and among the first women admitted to medical school
at the University of Buffalo during World War II. Her memoir focuses on her time practicing medicine as a rural doctor in Columbia County. This event will take place Roe Jan Community Library.
To receive the Zoom login details, email director@roejanlibrary.org
Saturday, August 19 from 10 AM to 4 PM
At the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum, 8 Miles Road Copake Falls, NY
A Story from a Basket Maker’s Daughter: The Hill
A Special Book Signing Event by author Maryann Proper Barto
Maryann Proper Barto grew up in West Taghkanic with her basket-making mother, Elizabeth Proper. Over the years, her family’s stories sparked Maryann’s interest in researching forgotten history, which in turn, became a central feature of her writing.
Maryann’s novel is set in a rustic village known as The Hill, whose isolated inhabitants have long depended almost exclusively upon one another for survival. Though fearing the consequences of carefully kept secrets, the story’s central characters realize the time has come to venture out of their secluded surroundings and into the unfamiliar and rapidly changing world beyond The Hill.
Sunday, May 7th at 2pm
On the Rails in Roe Jan:
Memories of New York Central's Upper Harlem Branch
Presented by Ron Vincent
Ron Vincent is a 4th Generation member of the Vincent family originally from the Hillsdale/Copake area. Ron graduated from Taconic Hills Central School in the last Class to complete all grades in the Roe Jan building .
A lifelong train enthusiast, Ron followed and lived near the New York Central Harlem Division, and also worked unloading railroad cars in Hillsdale at the ripe old age of 19. Ron’s Grandfather Palmer Vincent served 38 years with the Railroad Post Office (RPO) riding from Chatham to Grand Central Terminal daily. To his delight, Ron has discovered that a plethora of family records and photos tell an informal history of the railroad covering over 100 years in the Roe Jan area
Sunday, April 23rd at 2 pm
A Story from a Basket Maker’s Daughter: The Hill
A presentation by author Maryann Proper Barto
Maryann Proper Barto grew up in West Taghkanic with her-basket-making mother, Elizabeth Proper, which gave her the inspiration to write A Story from A Basket Maker’s Daughter: The Hill. As living history, her family’s stories sparked Maryann’s love for researching forgotten history to include in her writing. At the April event, Maryann will read from and discuss her new novel, set in a rustic village known as The Hill, whose inhabitants have depended upon one another for survival, fearing the consequences of their secrets and the changes around them.
Sunday, March 26, at 2 PM:
"The Preservation of the Copake Iron Works or,
How a Small Band of Determined Volunteers Covered a
Furnace, Openeda Museum and Built a
Narrow Gauge Railroad."
A LECTURE BY EDGAR MASTERS
At the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society's first spring program on Sunday, March 26, at 2 PM, Edgar Masters will speak about "The Preservation of the Copake Iron Works, or, How a Small Band of Determined Volunteers Covered a Furnace, Opened a Museum and Built a Narrow Gauge Railroad." This program focuses on the history and preservation of the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site located within Taconic State Park in Copake Falls.
The program will include a brief video on the history of the Copake Iron Works and a discussion of its relationship to the establishment of the hamlet of Copake Falls. Masters will also talk about the work of the Friends of Taconic State Park to preserve the site and to develop it as an important historical destination with a visitor center, museum and - coming this spring - an operating narrow gauge railroad!
Edgar Masters is a long-time resident of Copake Falls and a founding member of
the Friends of Taconic State Park.
2022
WINTER WALK
and Special Holiday Decorations: Dec. 4th, 12 to 4 pm
On December 4th, RJHS will display vintage Christmas items, two raffles, and have handcrafted wreathes available for sale. In addition to serving baked goods and hot cider, children and their families can visit Santa Claus. Join us!
Sunday, October 23, 2PM
A special benefit performance of The Village Idiot
Performed by Lauren Letellier
Ancram Opera House
1330 County Route 7
Ancram, NY 12502
Monday, October 10, 2 - 5PM
Final Day of From the Home Front to the Front Lines,
The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum will be open from 2 - 5 PM.
Sunday, October 2nd at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
Gallery Talks by Ron Vincent and Jed Luchow 2:30 - 3:30
Gallery talks followed by a birthday tribute to Eugene Meenagh
WWII veteran who will be turning 100!
August 28th at 2:30 PM:
THREE PERSPECTIVES
on the Holocaust
Special Gallery Talks Next Sunday, August 28th
Starting at 2:30 PM
Our Guest Speakers will be:
Barbara Steinberger, Copake Falls, NY
Barbara speaks about her family’s escape from Nazi Germany, and will read sections of the illustrated diary her mother, Erika, kept from 1937-1945, recording the family’s odyssey.
Sharon Flitterman-King, Hillsdale, NY
Sharon, a professional author, speaks about her book called A Secret Star, a story about a Jewish Child hidden by Polish Christians during World War II.
Joe Gosler, Ancramdale, NY
Joe speaks about and read short sections from his recent memoir, Searching for Home: The Impact of WWII on a Hidden Child, about his experiences as an infant placed in hiding during WWII in the Netherlands
2021
SUNDAY OCTOBER 3rd, 1 TO 3PM. NOT HELD
For Kids and their families!
THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS at St. John in the Wilderness
Sunday AUGUST 15th 2-PM
Event will be held at the historic
Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls, NY
THE HEAVENLY REST CONNECTION
with JIM MACKIN
Did you know that in 1894, two of the Pomeroy-related houses near the Copake Iron Works were donated to the Church of the Heavenly Rest located in NYC? And, did you know that these buildings were used by the Church as a summer camp called The Rest?
The Rest provided fresh air experiences for NYC children and was housed in 2 large homes (no longer standing) on the property where the cabins owned by Taconic State Park now stand. Join us to learn about The Rest, and about the long forgotten connection that existed between the two Episcopal churches of St. John in the Wilderness and the Church of the Heavenly Rest.
Jim Mackin is an author, Social and Industrial Historian and well known historical tour Guide. He is president of the Friends of Taconic State Park. His most recent book is Notable New Yorkers of Manhattan’s Upper West Side: Bloomingdale–Morningside Heights
(Nov 24, 2020, Fordham University Press)
SEE VIDEO OF LECTURE HERE
St. John in the Wilderness &
Richard Upjohn:
The Architecture - The Architect
A Presentation by Dale Peterson, AIA
Sunday, July 18th at 2pm
this event held at the
Church of St. John in the Wilderness
261 Route 344
Copake Falls, NY Admission Free
DOWNLOAD PDF HERE
Why was America's most architecturally significant Carpenter Gothic church built In the heart of the Roe Jan area? On Sunday, July 18th at 2:00 pm we'll explore how 19th Century changes in American religion, the rise of iron mining in Columbia County and the life of British-born architect Richard Upjohn came together in Copake Falls. Upjohn's Church of St John in the Wilderness, built in 1852, reinterprets medieval Gothic themes - originally built in stone -- in the American vocabulary of wood. The church's board and batten exterior expresses the vertical thrust of Gothic in a uniquely American form.
Dale Peterson, AIA, is a retired architect and construction manager, now living full time in the hamlet of Copake Falls. He is an active member of the Episcopal Church of St John in the Wilderness. A graduate of the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture,
2021 SUMMER EXHIBITION
JULY Thru OCTOBER 17th, 2021
REVIVED IN WOOD: GREEK AND GOTHIC REVIVAL CHURCHES OF THE ROE JAN REGION
Sunday, August 23rd from 2 to 4 pm
Outside the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum
Dedication, unveiling and reception celebrating new historic marker awarded by
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation to
The Old Copake Falls Church (built 1892)
Saturday - JULY 18th
inside Grange Hall
Saturday, July 18th, 1-3pm
The Copake Grange and the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society present:
100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote!
Inside the Copake Grange for a special pop-up exhibit celebrating the 1920/2020 centennial of Women's Right to Vote!
2019
Sunday, November 17th
from 2-4 pm
Panel Discussion: The Hidden History of the Hidden History!
Fascinating back-stories about the objects, people and places that went into this past summer’s highly successful exhibition!
Annual Copake Falls Winter Walk Sunday, December 1st from 10 -4 pm
with Holiday Museum Display, Santa, raffle, wreath sale, refreshments and music at the RJHS Museum!
RJHS Holiday Party Saturday,
December 14th
from 4-6 PM (open to all) at the RJHS Museum.
Special collections of Antique Santa Clauses and decorations, objects & books! Refreshments, noshes, and Holiday cheer from the RJHS Museum!
Sunday, October 13th
from 2-4 pm
Uncovering History: How Local Residents & Historians found the Missing Corner of Boston Corner, from when it was still part of Massachusetts!A panel comprised of those who discovered the original boundary this summer!– Location: RJHS Museum
Saturday, September 14th,
from 5 to 7pm
At the Northeast-Millerton Library Annex,
28 Century Blvd., Millerton, NY
A presentation by Jon Strom of the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
Boston Corners & the Oblong: How Two State Boundary Land Exchanges
Created Havens for Lawlessness
A Special Collaboration of the Roe Jan Historical Society
& Northeast-Millerton Library
Saturday, June 22nd 4pm
At the Roeliff Jansen Community Library
9091 State Route 22 Hillsdale, New York 12529
The Letters and Literary Leanings
of a Civil War Soldier:
Major John Collin of Hillsdale, NY
On Saturday, June 22nd, in tandem with the exhibit of Major Collins’ uniform and related artifacts on view at the Library, board members of the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society will present an illustrated talk focusing on the correspondence and poetry this remarkable Hillsdale resident, which were sent to his friends and family from numerous posts and battlegrounds throughout the Civil War. Major Collin (1840 – 1894) was a resident of Hillsdale, NY, where Collins Street was named for his family long ago and his likeness was used for the “flag bearer” statue a top the war memorial in Hillsdale.
Saturday, May 18th from 11 am to 2 pm
Family Day at the Museum
The first annual Family Day at the Museum. Inside the Museum, decked out with antique toys and books, kids of all ages will have the opportunity to play old time games, and learn how things were done in the days before electricity. There will be a history scavenger hunt and families can continue their path through history at the nearby Copake Iron Works complex!
Sunday, April 14th at 2 PM
“The Hidden History of the Roe Jan Area” presented by RJHS Board Member Jon Strom
Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 2 PM Jim Mackin presents the Pomeroy Family, original owners of the Copake Iron Works
2018
December 22nd,2018 Members Holiday Party at the RJHS Museum.
Sunday, December 2, 2018 Begins at 12 Noon
Annual Winter Walk in Copake Falls Holiday Open House at the RJHS Museum.
Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 2 pm
Vietnam Veterans Panel – In the true spirit of Veteran’s Day, a panel of local Vets share their Vietnam experiences.
Sunday, October 14th, 2018 at 2 pm
Antique Appraisals at the Museum
Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 2pm
A special walk-through of the popular
“Local Collections by Local Collectors” Exhibit
By Mike Fallon, owner of the famed Copake Auction House
Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 2 pm
“Hillsdale’s Historic Cemeteries: Pioneers, Patriots & Politics”
Speakers: Lauren Letellier and Jeanne Kiefer
Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 2 pm
“The Colonial Revival in America”
Speaker: David Gallage
Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 2 pm
“Update from the Copake Iron Works”
Speaker: Jim Mackin
2017
Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 2 pm
“35 Years of Collecting”
Speaker: Mike Fallon
Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 6 pm
Thursday, November 2 at 6 pm
“A Brief History of Hudson’s Experience with Urban Renewal”
Speaker: Peter Cipkowski
Location: Hudson Area Library, Hudson, NY
Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2 pm
Revolution on the Roads
Speaker: Lex Lalli
Friday, June 16, 2017 at 6 – 8 pm
Sneak Peak Party: Turnpike Exhibit
at the RJHS Museum in Copake Falls
Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 2 pm
“The Austerlitz House Project”
Speaker: Tom Moreland and Michael Rebic
Sunday, March 12, 2017, at 2 pm
Hell’s Acres: Boston Corners and the Prizefight
Speaker: Rich Rosenzweig
2016
Saturday, November 12, 2016, at 4 pm
“All Roads to the River: The 1799 Columbia Turnpike and Historic Toll Houses”
Village Hall, 6 Chatham Street in Kinderhook 12106
In partnership with the Columbia County Historical Society and Historic Hudson
Sunday, October 9, 2016, at 2 pm
“Bash Bish Falls: Inspiration and History”
at the RJHS museum in Copake Falls
Friday, June 17, at 6 pm at the Swiss Hutte
Annual Meeting
Speaker: Peter Jung “Bash Bish and The Hudson River School”
Sunday, May 15, at 2 pm at the Museum
Copake Iron Works
Speaker: Edgar Masters
Sunday, April 10, 2 pm at the Museum
“A Tale of Two Toll Houses: How the Columbia Turnpike Changed Columbia County”
Speakers: Peter Cipkowski and David Hart
Sunday, March 13, 2016, 2 pm at the Museum
“The RJHS Oral History Project”
Speakers: Julia Brandi, Peter Cipkowski, Marilyn Herrington
2015
Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 2 pm at the Museum
“The History of the Rocks, Minerals, and Landscapes of the Taconic Range”
Speakers: Robert and Johanna Titus
Saturday, October 31, 2015, 3 pm at the Roe Jan Library
“The Hillsdale Toll House”
Speakers: Peter Cipkowski and William Krattinger
Friday, July 3, 5-7 pm at the Museum
Summer Exhibit Opening
Friday, June 19, 2015, 6 pm
Annual Meeting
Speaker: Marty Podskoch “CCC Camps”
Sunday, May 17, 2015, 2 pm at the Museum
The Summer Camps of the Roe Jan Area
Panel: Ed Horrowitz (Camp Pontiac) Cindy Raabe and Sharon Powers (Greenwich House)
Sunday, April 12, 2015, 2 pm at the Museum
The Mohicans of Bash Bish Falls
Speaker: Paul McBride
Co-sponsored by the Mount Washington Historical Society
Sunday, March 15, 2015, 2 pm
“Creating a Museum at the Copake Iron Works”
Panel: Jim Macken, Robin Bruce, Bob Hunter
2014
Sunday, November 9, 2014, 3 pm at the Library
“A History of Hillsdale”
Speaker: Peter Cipkowski
Co-sponsored by Historic Hillsdale
Sunday, October 26, 2014, 2 pm at the Museum
“The Greenwich House Camp”
The panel includes: Sharon Powers, Susan, Flora and Herb Bergquist
Sunday, September 21, 2014, 2 pm at the Museum
“The Railroads of the Roe Jan Area”
Panel: David Saums, W. George Cook, Patrick Delgrande
Sunday, June 20, 2014, 6 pm
Annual Meeting at Swiss Hutte
Speaker: David Saums on the Harlem Railroad
Sunday, April 12, 2014, 2 pm at the Museum
“The History of Charcoal Making in Mount Washington”
Speakers: Mary King Austin and Cory Hines
Sunday, March 16, 2014, 2 pm at the Museum
“Trains in the Roe Jan Area and Beyond”
Speaker: Bernard Rudberg
2013
Sunday, November 2, 2013, 2 pm at the Ancram Town Hall
“One Room School Houses”
Speakers: Roger Mooney and Lynne Perrella
Saturday, October 26, 2013, 1 pm at the Museum
“Art in the Park”
Speaker: Jim Macken
Sunday, October 20, 2013, 2 pm at the Museum
“A Panel on Roe Jan Recreation”
Panel: Rich Edwards, Bill Newcomb, Judy Whitbeck, Ray Doherty and the Shackshober Family
Friday, September 20, 2013, 7 pm at Hillsdale Town Hall
“A History of Roe Jan Community Library”
Speaker: Peter Cipkowski
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 1 pm
Garden Event
Sunday, May 19, 2013, 2 pm
“A Mostly True History of Copake Falls aka Snake Pond”
Speaker: Peter Cipkowski
Sunday, April 21, 2013, 2 pm
“The Historic Churches of Ancram”
Speakers: Monica Cleveland, Clara Van Tassel, Robin Massa
Sunday, March 17, 2013, pm
“Lincoln’s Secret”
Speaker: Edward Peck
Saturday, November 10, 2012, 2 pm
“The History of Undermountain Golf Course”
Speakers: Pat and Jack Shakshober and Trish MacArthur
Sunday, October 28, 2012, 2 pm
“The Great Road: Henry Knox and the Revolutionary War Trail in Western Massachusetts”
Speaker: Bernard A. Drew
Sunday, September 23, 2012, 2 pm
“A History of the Roe Jan School”
Speaker: Peter Cipkowski