Annual Pilgrimage

GLEBE HOUSE

Annual Report 1967-68

Glebe House is in better physical condition this year than it ever has been. The following improvements have been accomplished: 1. The front porch has been rebuilt. 2. Storm door added to the restored kitchen. 3. Parlor has been repainted. 4. Pantry and bathroom have been repaired and repainted. 5. The furnace has been repaired and regulated. 6. Outside trim and the rear porch have been repainted.

Mr. Charles Chalanda has temporarily furnished the second kitchen so that the room will be more interesting to visitors.

Christmas Open House on December 10th was again held. This year over 350 persons attended. The Poughkeepsie Garden Club observed Arbor Day at Glebe House by planting a tree and throughout the year the members of the Garden Club worked very hard on the garden and grounds of Glebe House.

The self-support program progresses slowly. There is note paper, a paper bound history of Glebe House for sale and very shortly postal cards of the house will be on sale. Mrs. Peter R. Mund has been working on the Accession File, and will catalogue all acquisitions in accordance with accepted museum proceedure.

Plans for the coming year include toy exhibits, Glebe House slides to be shown in the City and County schools as well as the new colored postal cards that will be sold at the House. The past three years brought an increasing number of visitors to Glebe House: 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 688 1,311 2,059 Visitors cc cc 3,500

Mr. Wheeler, our caretaker guide, is to be congratulated for his efforts. He has made himself available for visitors at all times.

Having served as Glebe House Chairman for seven years, three years for the Junior League and four for the Historical Society, you will realize that it is impossible to name everyone who has had a part in the success of the restoration. I would like to extend a general "Thank you" to the Poughkeepsie Junior League, The City of Poughkeepsie officials, and the members of the Dutchess County Historical Society. Mrs. Peter Mund will be chairman for the Society and Mrs. Edward Kerin for the Junior League during the coming year.

Respectfully submitted

MARY V. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman

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ARBOR DAY AT GLEBE HOUSE

Arbor Day in Poughkeepsie was observed by the planting of a tree on the Glebe House grounds. Representatives, of the Poughkeepsie Garden Club, donors of the tree, members of the Junior League and the Dutchess County Historical as well as officials of the City of Poughkeepsie, met on April 10th and a beautiful dogwood tree was added to the Glebe House property.

John W. Nelson, Superintendent of Public Works of the City of Poughkeepsie, Mrs. Helen Ludolph, President of the Poughkeepsie Garden Club, Mrs. William S. Durland, Vice-President of the Junior League of Poughkeepsie, and Mrs. Peter R. Mund, Trustee of the Historical Society, took part in the planting of the new tree at the northern section of the property.

Mrs. Ludolph spoke to the assembledge explaining that Arbor Day is celebrated in both Canada and the United States. "It was in Nebraska on April 10, 1872 that Arbor Day, or as it was called originally 'Tree Planting Day,' was first celebrated. Over a million trees were planted that first Arbor Day. In three states, Utah, Florida and Nebraska, Arbor Day is designated as a Legal Holiday, and in all the States and throughout Canada it is observed each year. Tree planting at Glebe House was started more than twenty years ago by the Poughkeepsie Garden Club. The first plan of the garden and grounds was drawn by Miss Betty Meade, a member of the Garden Club and a landscape architect on the faculty of Vassar College. Her plan included a scale model. About five years ago the Garden Club secured the services of Alice Treys, a landscape architect and lecturer. Her plan has been followed by Mrs. Walter Averill and Mrs. Chalmer B. Strain and the Garden Club committee, and it is hoped the work will be completed this year."

Mrs. Ludolph called attention to Glebe House and the garden as a fine example of cooperation for the public good—the City of Poughkeepsie, the Historical Society, the Junior League and the Poughkeepsie Garden Club all working together to make Glebe House a splendid historical Landmark. She especially thanked Mr. John Nelson, the Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Herbert Saltford, Mr. Wheeler, Glebe House custodian and the many others who have been so helpful in the work of restoration of the house and grounds. The Hospitality Committee of the Garden Club, 1VIrs. William J. Bennett, chairman, served coffee and cakes and the visitors were invited by Mr. Joseph Emsley, President of the Historical Socio.ty to make an inspection of Glebe House before leaving.

.11 prii 25, 1854

The Common Council of the City of Poughkeepsie do ordain as follows: No goose or geese shall hereafter be permitted to be at large in any of the streets or highways in this City. Passed.

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