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Dutch Weekend: a Celebration of Dutch Heritage in the Hudson Valley
On September 15 and 16, between 11am and 5pm, five Hudson Valley Dutch homes and one church will open their doors to visitors for the annual Dutch Weekend. The public is invited to visit Mount Gulian Historic Site (Fishkill), the Van Wyck Homestead (Fishkill), the First Reformed Dutch Church of Fishkill, the Brinkerhoff- Pudney-Palen House (East Fishkill), the Madam Brett Homestead (Beacon), and the Gomez Mill House (Marlboro).
Hudson Valley colonial Dutch architecture is known and appreciated for its simplicity and unpretentiousness. While the families that owned them may have been politically influential and wealthy, such as the Bretts, Van Wycks and the Verplancks, the homes and their furnishings were modest and unassuming. This lack of stylistic importance will be apparent as visitors enter these properties built by the early settlers.
Each historic site has its own special features, including historic structures, remarkable artifacts, notable decorative arts, picturesque gardens and Hudson River views. For example, The Brinkerhoff- Pudney-Palen House has on its grounds an authentic 19th century one-room school house. The First Reformed Dutch Church was used as a military prison during the American Revolution. The Gomez Mill House, the earliest surviving Jewish residence in the Valley, has a mill dam and bridge. The Madam Brett Homestead has on display family heirlooms including the 1685 Rombout Patent, the first patent issued in Dutchess County. At Mount Gulian visitors will step into a 1730's Dutch barn, a testament to the quality craftsmanship of the period. The Van Wyck homestead's vast collection includes two Ammi Phillips paintings.
In addition to tours that will be given throughout the day at all locations, an assortment of special events for adults and children will be held. The event schedule follows:
Saturday Only, September 15
Mount Gulian
1pm: Dutch Vernacular Architecture Lecture by author John Stevens
2 pm: Hudson Valley Dutch Clothing Exhibit and Presentation by Susan Konvit
$8 adults/$5 children; free refreshments
Van Wyck Homestead 3pm: Paint-Out Preview 4pm: Auction
Free, refreshments for sale
Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16
Brinkerhoff-Pudney-Palen House
11am- 4pm.School Lessons for students of all ages in oneroom school house
Free
Mount Gulian
11am- 4pm: Hudson Valley Dutch Clothing Exhibit
$8 adults/$5 children; free refreshments
The Dutch Weekend is part of the Hudson River Greenway Ramble. Reservations are not required, and the public may visit the sites in any order. For further information call Mount Gulian at 845-831-8172.
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