Progress Noted On Project To Restore Historic Mt. Gulian

Reprinted from an article which appeared on November 11,1967, in The Evening News (Beacon-Newburgh) with our appreciation for the paper's permission. PROGRESS NOTED ON PROJECT TO RESTORE HISTORIC MT. GULIAN

FISHKILL — A $100,000 project expected to take several years will transform the ruins of an estate which now nestles serenely in the woods into something approaching the former glory of Mt. Gulian, a place steeped in history.

Among other things, Mt. Gulian, which is only a stone's throw from modern Hudson View Park and not far from the bustling NewburghBeacon Bridge, was the Revolutionary War headquarters of General von Steuben of Prussia and the birthplace of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Doing the restoration is the Mt. Gulian Society, prominent in which is Bache Bleecker, a direct descendant of Gulian Verplanck who built Mt. Gulian some time before 1740. The building was the home of several generations of Verplancks until it was partially destroyed by fire in 1931.

Mt. Gulian, a Dutch Colonial structure, sits high above the Hudson River in a wooded tract originally purchased from the Wappinger Indians.

In 1782 Mt. Gulian became General von Steuben's headquarters when the Continental Army under Gen. George Washington occupied winter quarters at the nearby New Windsor Cantonment south of Newburgh.

On May 13, 1783, officers of the Continental Army met in one of Mt. Gulian's spacious rooms to form the Society of the Cincinnati. Mt. Gulian still was serving as Baron von Steuben's headquarters and the Army was deployed throughout the area guarding the strategic Hudson Valley.

The Society of the Cincinnati, which still exists, was named for the Roman, Lucius Quincius Cincinnatus, who was plowing his fields when advised of an invasion of his country. Abandoning his plow, he led an army that repelled the invaders and afterwards returned to his farming chores. The name of the society indicated that Continental Army was a citizen army, led by citizens officers inspired only by patriotic zeal, who would return to their civilian pursuits at the war's end.

Membership in the society passed from father to son so that it has lived and remained active through the years. The society held triennial meetings in the historic living room at Mt. Gulian as long as the building stood. One old picture shows a large group of men in front of the place at the triennial meeting in 1899.

According to Mr. Bleecker, who has been interested in restoration of the old estate for some time, the Mt. Gulian Society was granted a charter last spring as an educational institution, enabling it to accept tax exempt contributions.

When the restoration project is completed, Mr. Bleecker said, the house will be open for visits by the public and rooms will be available for use by local historical organizations.

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Actual restoration work at Mt. Gulian was begun last spring. The reconstruction is being done, Mr. Bleecker said, "by a small group of highly skilled men meticulously following the manner and methods of construction persued by the colonial craftsmen."

Despite the 1931 fire, enough of the original foundation and walls remained for accurate measurements to be made. A great deal of materials and artifacts has been found while digging in the undisturbed ruins. The basement kitchen was recently uncovered, complete with a large cooking fireplace and Dutch oven. The restorers are aided by architectural drawings prepared by Kenneth Clinton from photographs taken of the house before the fire.

The V erplanck House in its original condition.

Almost total destruction after the fire.

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As noted in the foregoing article, the Mount Gulian Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the New York State Department of Education. Society members are underwriting what may become a $150,000 or more bill for the restoration. Another need of the Society will be furnishings for the restored house. As period pieces would be terribly expensive on the open market, it is hoped that loans or donations of furniture will be forthcoming. Completion is scheduled for the country's birthday in 1976. Anyone interested in assisting in the project with a contribution of funds or furnishings may contact Mr. Bache Bleecker, 210 East 86th Street, N. Y., N. Y. 10028 (212-249-3000). All contributions are tax deductible. Editor.

A close view of the ruins.

Restoration well under wall.

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