Hurley Heritage Society

05/15/2026

LECTURE - NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE:
Building the Old South Plantation in the Hudson River Valley: Middle-Class Idylls of Service and Status, 1875-1900
Presented by local historian, Reynolds “Rennie” Scott-Childress
Middle class Americans did a strange thing after destroying slavery in the Civil War. Instead of creating a national culture that celebrated the Union victory, they invented an "old South" plantation myth, replete with loyal mammies, benevolent masters, and banjo orchestras. This talk will describe the development of the myth in the Hudson River Valley and offer an explanation for its popularity.

This presentation discusses why this image is not a picture of a plantation mammy—and why that is important for understanding how Americans reframed their understanding of race in the post-Civil War decades.

Reynolds Scott-Childress teaches history at SUNY New Paltz and the Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia. His work focuses on the categories and practices of race and class in US history.

Building the Old South Plantation in the Hudson River Valley: Middle Class Idylls of Service and Status, 1875-1900, by Reynolds “Rennie” Scott-Childress.

05/14/2026

We are very sad to announce that this year's Hurley Heritage Day, scheduled for September 19th, must be cancelled. We are planning a scaled back event with a focus on History and Harvest on that date, so please watch this space for details.

Our chairperson had to step back from the event relatively late in the game, we had several unfilled sponsor and volunteer slots, and the newly announced construction work being performed at the former Hurley Library will be closing that site and part of the current Library parking lot, where we stage vendors and much of the event. Handicapped parking in front of the old library will also be unavailable.

Rest assured this is not something we ever anticipated having to do. We are working on a solution and hope to be better positioned to return with Hurley Heritage Day in 2027.

05/13/2026

05/11/2026

Visitors to the Hurley Heritage Society’s museum this season will take a step back in time.

As communities around the historic Hudson Valley gear up for a season of celebration and history in honor of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the society is focusing on how the revolution unfolded right here at home.

The society’s new exhibition, “Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here,” strives to tell the stories of all Hurley residents as the young United States of America struggled against imperial British rule.

The exhibition opened Saturday, May 9, at the museum at 52 Main St. It will remain on display through the museum season’s end on Sunday, Oct. 25. Armed with memorabilia, literature, and perspectives, the committee behind the society’s 250th programming is ensuring locals and tourists alike have the chance to learn more about the town’s history.

Visitors to the Hurley Heritage Society’s museum this season will take a step back in time.

05/09/2026

MUSEUM OPENING WEEKEND! NEW EXHIBITS & MORE
Please join us on Saturday, May 9th for opening day and help us commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Our new exhibit, “Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here,” tells the stories of Hurley residents during the Revolutionary War years. We feature women and children, landowners and tenant farmers, immigrants and indigenous people, enslaved and free people of color, servants, loyalist neighbors and spies.
This broad look at life in Hurley during the War of Independence gives visitors a more tactile and complete experience than ever before. Textile production for the war effort, mainly women’s work, became a vital industry during this period. Visitors learn about raising sheep, growing flax, dying, spinning and weaving in Hurley. Crops, farming, and milling are explored. Intricate family histories and connections are on view, not only for those who owned the homes that remain today, but also for those who had much less. Complicated Patriot and Loyalist dynamics and the motives and coercion behind allegiances may surprise you. Many of the old stories are told, but with new perspectives and nuance. A Lego diorama of Main Street is sure to delight the kiddos and those still young at heart! Please join us in exploring what liberty and freedom meant for all the residents of Revolutionary Hurley.
On opening day, Saturday, May 9th, Gina Martin and Erin von Holdt will demonstrate linen and wool spinning. Don’t miss it!
Stay tuned for a series of Revolution themed events being offered throughout the season: demonstrations, lectures, book signings, and activities for the whole family.
For the latest details on our events, visit our website www.hurleyheritagesociety.org.
The Hurley Heritage Society Museum is at 52 Main Street, Hurley, NY and is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May through October, 1 PM to 4 PM. Admission is free of charge.
The Hurley Heritage Society maintains and operates the Hurley Heritage Museum, free to the public. The organization preserves, protects, educates and celebrates all aspects of Hurley’s unique heritage through programs and events, including public lectures, season walking tours of Old Hurley, and Hurley Heritage Day (Saturday, September 19, 2026). For more information visit www.hurleyheritagesociety.org. See less

04/30/2026

URGENT: New opening date, Saturday, May 9, 1pm-4pm

Due to the unexpected unavailability of some of our program presenters, Hurley Heritage Society’s opening day is postponed until Saturday, May 9th. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please join us on Saturday, May 9th for opening day and help us commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Our new exhibit, “Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here,” tells the stories of Hurley residents during the Revolutionary War years. We feature women and children, landowners and tenant farmers, immigrants and indigenous people, enslaved and free people of color, servants, loyalist neighbors and spies.

This broad look at life in Hurley during the War of Independence gives visitors a more tactile and complete experience than ever before. Textile production for the war effort, mainly women’s work, became a vital industry during this period. Visitors learn about raising sheep, growing flax, dying, spinning and weaving in Hurley. Crops, farming, and milling are explored. Intricate family histories and connections are on view, not only for those who owned the homes that remain today, but also for those who had much less. Complicated Patriot and Loyalist dynamics and the motives and coercion behind allegiances may surprise you. Many of the old stories are told, but with new perspectives and nuance. A Lego diorama of Main Street is sure to delight the kiddos and those still young at heart! Please join us in exploring what liberty and freedom meant for all the residents of Revolutionary Hurley.

On opening day, Saturday, May 9th, Gina Martin and Erin von Holdt will demonstrate linen and wool spinning. Don’t miss it!
Stay tuned for a series of Revolution themed events being offered throughout the season: demonstrations, lectures, book signings, and activities for the whole family.

For the latest details on our events, visit our website www.hurleyheritagesociety.org.

The Hurley Heritage Society Museum is at 52 Main Street, Hurley, NY and is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May through October, 1 PM to 4 PM. Admission is free of charge.

The Hurley Heritage Society maintains and operates the Hurley Heritage Museum, free to the public. The organization preserves, protects, educates and celebrates all aspects of Hurley’s unique heritage through programs and events, including public lectures, season walking tours of Old Hurley, and Hurley Heritage Day (Saturday, September 19, 2026). For more information visit www.hurleyheritagesociety.org.

04/28/2026

Hurley Heritage Society Presents:
“Building the Old South Plantation in the Hudson River Valley: Middle-Class Idylls of Service and Status, 1875-1900”
Presented by local historian, Reynolds “Rennie” Scott-Childress
April 30th, 7pm Online (Zoom) -
Free and open to the public.

Middle class Americans did a strange thing after destroying slavery in the Civil War. Instead of creating a national culture that celebrated the Union victory, they invented an "old South" plantation myth, replete with loyal mammies, benevolent masters, and banjo orchestras. This talk will describe the development of the myth in the Hudson River Valley and offer an explanation for its popularity.
We'll discuss why this image (below) is not a picture of a plantation mammy—and why that is important for understanding how Americans reframed their understanding of race in the post-Civil War decades.

Presented by: Reynolds "Rennie" Scott-Childress
Reynolds Scott-Childress teaches history at SUNY New Paltz and the Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia. His work focuses on the categories and practices of race and class in US history.
Pre-registration required for this lecture:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XipFhwjBTreiOLaV7NysAw #/registration

04/27/2026

HHS Annual Spring Plant Sale

Hurry! Just a few days left to order your spring plants from The Hurley Heritage Society ‘s annual sale! We are taking pre-orders for flats, pots, and hanging baskets of beautiful plants grown by Saunderskill Farms, Accord, and 6-inch planters from Boice's Farm, Saugerties, filled with a mix of flowers (Lobelia, Million Bells, Petunias - to name a few).

Order forms were mailed during the first week of April and were distributed to various locations throughout Hurley. You can also pick up an order form on the back porch of the museum at 52 Main Street, Hurley Please return your completed form and payment to:

Flo Brandt, 132 Woodland Drive, Hurley, N.Y., 12443 by May 1st.

Pick up for the pre-orders will be at the Museum grounds Friday, May 15th, 4 to 6 PM, and Saturday, May 16th, 10 AM to 3 PM. We will also sell any leftover plants at that time.

All proceeds from this sale go directly to the Hurley Heritage Society, and benefit the maintenance of the gardens and grounds of the Museum.

Please feel free to call Flo at (845) 331-8767 if you have questions or need order forms.

04/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hurley Heritage Society Museum 2026 Opening and New Exhibit:
“Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here”
Come to the Hurley Heritage Society Museum’s opening day on Saturday, May 2nd, 1 PM to 4 PM, and help us commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Our new exhibit, “Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here,” tells the stories of Hurley residents during the Revolutionary War years. We feature women and children, landowners and tenant farmers, immigrants and indigenous people, enslaved and free people of color, servants, loyalist neighbors and spies.

This broad look at life in Hurley during the War of Independence gives visitors a more tactile and complete experience than ever before. Textile production for the war effort, mainly women’s work, became a vital industry during this period. Visitors learn about raising sheep, growing flax, dying, spinning and weaving in Hurley. Crops, farming, and milling are explored. Intricate family histories and connections are on view, not only for those who owned the homes that remain today, but also for those who had much less. Complicated Patriot and Loyalist dynamics and the motives and coercion behind allegiances may surprise you. Many of the old stories are told, but with new perspectives and nuance. A Lego diorama of Main Street is sure to delight the kiddos and those still young at heart! Please join us in exploring what liberty and freedom meant for all the residents of Revolutionary Hurley.
On opening day, Saturday, May 2nd, Rob Sweeney will have some of his lovely heritage sheep grazing on our front lawn, while Gina Martin and Erin von Holdt demonstrate linen and wool spinning. Don’t miss it!

Stay tuned for a series of Revolution themed events being offered throughout the season: demonstrations, lectures, book signings, and activities for the whole family.
For the latest details on our events, visit our website www.hurleyheritagesociety.org.

The Hurley Heritage Society Museum is at 52 Main Street, Hurley, NY and is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May through October, 1 PM to 4 PM. Admission is free of charge.

01/29/2026

Next HHS Lecture
"The River People: Seasonal Life in the Hudson Valley Five Centuries Ago"
February 26th at 7pm Online (Zoom)
[IMPORTANT NOTE - if you already registered for this lecture, you need to re-register due to new Zoom account changeover - we apologize in advance for any inconvenience.]

For countless generations, the Lenape People relied on the Hudson River and its tributaries for their survival. Join us for this presentation by ethnoecologist Justin Wexler and learn about the day to day life of local Native Peoples five centuries ago. Justin Wexler of Wild Hudson Valley is an independent scholar who has studied Hudson Valley protohistoric indigenous culture, languages, and history for over twenty years. He has a BA in history and anthropology and an MA in teaching history and regularly hosts members of the displaced federally-recognized Lenape communities on visits to their ancestral homeland.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vQ52FUB8QYm5j3pwOBMy6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.