The Annual Pilgrimage

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE: PAWLING AND QUAKER HILL

A large number of the members of the Dutchess County Historical Society and their guests participated with our hosts, the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity on a pilgrimage to the eastern part of Dutchess County on September 24, 1966. The day was clear and sparkling, weather that Dutchess County usually enjoys in the fall of the year. Mrs. Fred C. Daniels acted as chairman, assisted by Mr. Frank Alylod.

The members first met at the hcme of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rack, East Main Street, Pawling, where we were very cordially received by Mrs. Rack and members of her family. The house is one of the oldest in the area and in October 1778 served as George Washington's headquarters. After a tour of the house Mrs. Daniels gave an interesting paper concerning the long and important his'‘Tory of the house during the Revolutionary period.

The cavalcade then proceeded to the Akin Library, Quaker Hill, for a basket lunch with coffee and tea provided by our hosts. After visiting the Natural History and local Americana Museums which are situated at the Library, Mrs. Geoffrey O'Hara, president of the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity, welcomed the guests and introduced Mrs. Raymond Thorbury who told about the founding of the Library and the two museums.

The members then walked across the Green to the site of the Mizzentop Hotel where now stands Akin Hall, Christ Church Quaker Hill. Akin Hall was built in 1880 and given to the community by Albert J. Akin. It was moved from its original site north of the Akin Library and completely renovated. Dr. Ralph C. Lankier, the resident minister, greeted the guests, and after a brief business meeting of the Historical Society, Dr. Lanker gave a very interesting discourse about the church itself and its long service to the community for interdenominational worship.

The pilgrimage then moved north to the Quaker Meeting House, known in the history of Dutchess County as "Old Oblong Meeting House of the Society of Friends," built 1764, and still used for worship during the summer months. Miss May K. Hoag presented an interesting paper tracing the long history of the Meeting House and indicated steps would be taken to make some necessary repairs and renovations to the building within a short time.

The "Barn," the Quaker Hill Country Club, was the last stop of the pilgrimage. Mr. Lowell Thomas took over the property some years ago and converted the old and spacious barn into a club house. The Trophy Room contains a large collection of photographs and memorabilia, including the famous ball team known as the "Nine Old Men." The large main room of the structure contains the fireplace which is built of archeological stones from every corner of the world, some dating back to 200 B.C. Mr. Thomas spoke to a very appreciative audience, describing the origin of many of the stones of the fireplace

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as well as adding many stories of his world-wide experiences. The visit with Mr. Lowell Thomas was a very fitting climax to a rewarding trip to one of the most beautiful and historic sections of most beautiful and historic Dutchess County.

The Society is deeply indebted to 1VIrs. Daniels, Mr. Thomas and the many who were our hosts for a delightful day in the Pawling Quaker Hill countryside.

IN BRIEF:

Mrs. Amy Pearce Ver Nooy has submitted her resignation to the Trustees as Editor of the Historical Society Year Book. Her withdrawal from the post she has held with great distinction for over twenty years was accepted by the Trustees with deep regret. Mrs. Ver Nooy's extensive knowledge of Dutchess County's historical background and her ability to put in print her knowledge in such an interesting fashion, has made each one of our Year Books a publication of value. Fortunately Mrs. Ver Nooy has consented to continue to contribute to our publication from time to time. Future editors will look to her for advice and guidance, and all of our members will welcome her authorship of many more articles that will appear in our Year Books.

On June 17, 1966, several of the officers and members of the society attended the dedication of the new building of International Business Machines Corporation, Components Division, at East Fishkill.

Mr. John Tartar°, a member of our society, has written an appreciation of the work of the West Mountain Mission, near Pawling, and its long-time director, Mr. Albert C. Burdick. The almost forgotten mission was under the supervision of a board of trustees, a clergy and laymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church. At a time when roads were bad and transportation slow and difficult, Neighborhood House was of great benefit to many families in the area. Mr. Tartaro has performed - a real service in recording the history of a rural community center.

The Poughkeepsie fire bell, silent for many years, hangs in the tower of Phoenix Hose fire house at the corner of Union and Little Washington Streets. Originally the bell was. placed at the top of a frame tower which was erected between the City Hall building and the Police Headquarters. The bell was cast in 1888 by the Clinton H. Meneely Bell Company of Troy, New York, and contains the following inscription: "Erected 1888. Edward Elsworth, mayor; Kieran J. Lawlor, chamberlain; F. J. Nesbitt, president; R. R. Dennis, treasurer citizen's committee; Aldermen Bedell, Burns, Bayley, Connelly, Cunley, McDonald, Powers, Quickley, Sheldon, Spalding, Spross."

When the new fire station for Phoenix Hose Company was erected in 1901, a tower was designed for the fire bell, and for a great many

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years it, with the aid of whistles located at several factories, summoned the volunteer firemen when the need arose.

Phoenix Hose house is to be demolished within a short time under plans for Urban Renewal in the area, and members of the Historical Society have urged officials of Poughkeepsie to take steps to have the old fire bell preserved and placed on the grounds of the proposed fire station and fire alarm headquarters which will be a part of the City Hall complex.

Members of the Historical Society are urged to contribute an article to be published in the next copy of the Year Book. The editor will welcome contributions relating to National, State or County historical interest. Publication of material is subject to approval by the publication committee.

From time to time members of the Society have returned to our files back copies of the Year Book, and as a result we have been able to keep on hand a supply of almost all the fifty copies of our annual publication, and to supply other historical societies, libraries, and individuals with the orders that reach us. If you have duplicate copies we urge you to return them to us. We especially need to acquire Volume 19, published 1934, and Volume 25, published 1940.

Collections, Volume II, "Old Gravestones of Dutchess County, New York," collected by J. Wilson Poucher, M.D., and Helen Wilkinson Reynolds (1924), is available again. During the past year we have been unable to fill orders for this publication.

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