Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 054 1969

IN BRIEF The Dutchess County Historical Society dosed the year 1969 with a membership numbering 589. There were 553 Annual members, 32 Life members, and 4 Honorary members, an increase of 44 memberships during the year. 514 members of the Society are residents of Dutchess County, 75 non-residents of the County. Seventeen States and the District of Columbia are represented in the roster of the Society. It is the hope of the Trustees that the membership will be increased to 650 by the end of 1970.

The 1966 Year Book contained a brief history of the Poughkeepsie Municipal Building, better known as the City Hall. The article included a survey made by Frederick L. Rath of the New York State Historical Association of Cooperstown, N. Y. of the 1831 structure. Mr. Rath concurred with the Historical Society Trustees that the City Hall should be preserved and put to a good use under the plans for the expansion of the County Court House and adjacent parking facilities. The City Hall, the original building occupies a plot of land 32 feet by 92 feet, is one of two Poughkeepsie buildings of the Federal period of architecture remaining in the City. The County National Bank building at the corner of Market and Cannon Streets is of the same architectural era. The Trustees have been informed by a Dutchess County official that the City Hall must be demolished and the land used for the parking of automobiles. Many of the residents of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County feel very strongly that the preservation of the Municipal Building is of great importance, of much greater importance than a space to park twelve automobiles.

The Historical Society has applied for membership in each of the Historical Societies of the Towns of Dutchess County.

The Editor of the Year Book is very much indebted to the many members who have made valuable contributions of articles for this year's publication. Edmund Van Wyck and Clifford M. Buck, with their great knowledge of the history of Dutchess County, continue to add valuable data to be placed in the records each year.

The Society records with deep regret the death of the following members during the year: Miss Florence Beeckman, Mrs. John D. Coleman, Mrs. Frederick H. M. Hart, Miss Emeline Guernsey, Mrs. Hamilton Fish, Jr., Mrs. Leonard J. Hart, Mrs. Martin Berry, Mrs. W. A. Saltford, Mr. Jesse D. Wetsel, Mr. Emil L. Johnson, Mr. George N. Dutcher, Mr. Herbert F. Hart, Mr. Arthur W. Emigh, Mr. Benedict Jarmel, Mr. David McCullough, and Dr. John M. Coulter.

A limited number of copies of Edmund Platt's "History of Poughkeepsie", published in 1905, are again available, and may be obtained at the Adriance Memorial Library, 93 Market Street, Poughkeepsie. The Platt History is not sponsored by the Historical Society.

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