Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 041 1956

THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE One of the most delightful pilgrimages held in recent years was held on September 22, 1956. In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Putnam County Historical Society, Mr. Benjamin W. Frazier, president of that organization, arranged a tour in Putnam County to which the members of neighboring historical societies were invited.

The plan, as outlined by Mr. Frazier, proposed that the pilgrims gather at the Bird & Bottle Inn between 10:30 a.m. and noon. This allowed for a staggering of groups and prevented a serious congestion of cars at any one stopping place. His program included visits to the following historic and scenic spots: BIRD & BOTTLE INN: Famous pre-Revolutionary inn, restored by Charles and Constance Stearns in 1940 and again conducted as an inn. Fine old building in a delightful, brookside setting.

SAUNDERS HOUSE: From the Inn south on the Old Albany Post Road— the first road put through from New York to Albany during the French and Indian Wars, this section still remaining as unspoiled as when fi rst opened. House of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Saunders a small pre-Revolutionary tavern or ordinary at which stage-coaches changed horses. Attractively situated by a beaver dam in the midst of rolling fields.

"SOLDIER'S FORTUNE": Home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Forster occupying the site of the Revolutionary camp of the New Hampshire militia, the area even then known as "Soldier's Fortune." An attractive old farm house, added to and enlarged on several occasions, beautifully furnished and landscaped.

PATTERSON HOUSE: On Route 9-D, just south of Cold-Spring-on-Hudson.

Fine house of Greek Revival period with a superb view of West Point and the Hudson, built by painter of the Hudson River School, Thomas Rossiter. This property adjoins Boscobel's new site and has a similar view.

LUNCH: On the Patterson lawns or porches. Please bring your own box lunch. The Historical Society will provide tea, coffee, etc.

CONSTITUTION ISLAND: Proceed to Garrison dock from the Patterson house where a launch leaves for Constitution Island every half hour. Interesting ride on the River past West Point to Constitution Island, the parent of West Point since it was the first place fortified during the Revolution. The Warner house, "Wood Crag," on the Island was in part a Revolutionary barracks where Benedict Arnold had his office. The home for many years of the Warner sisters and a literary shrine, very attractively furnished with the Warners' original possessions—a fascinating, away-from-the-busy-world setting with lawns down to the River's edge.

The house is maintained by the Constitution Island Association and is the only house in Putnam County regularly opened to the public.

"CASTLE ROCK": Last launch will leave the Island at 4:30 P. M. On returning to Garrison dock proceed to "Castle Rock" where Mr. and Mrs. A. 20