Click link below to see a PDF of the printed Calendar of Events.
Bicentennial Calendar of Events
Printable reservation forms for ticketed events appear below the listings that follow.
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Heritage House and Barn Tour
Explore two centuries of Red Hook architecture in a self-driven tour of rarely open houses, barns and churches. Informative displays and knowledgeable docents enhance the visit. Highlights include Barrytown’s elegant Edgewater, one of America’s finest classical revival houses, and a closing reception at Red Hook’s stately Maizeland. Admission $25 ($30 after May 13; children 12 and under free). Reservations required. Mail in reservation form below. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Check in –Elmendorph Inn, North Broadway & Cherry Street, Red Hook 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Tour 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Reception Reservation Form – May 19 House & Barn Tour
SATURDAY, MAY 19 and SUNDAY, MAY 20
Heritage Weekend at Montgomery Place
In honor of the Bicentennial and New York State Heritage Weekend, Montgomery Place Historic Site is opening its grounds and mansion free to the public. View the rare 1797 map of Red Hook and Rhinebeck, presented for the first time. Marvel at the stately public rooms, stroll the gardens, picnic on the broad lawns overlooking the Hudson. Take a self-directed hike through the West Meadow, the South Woods, or down to the falls of the Sawkill. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Grounds open – Montgomery Place Historic Site, River Road, Annandale 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Mansion tours
SUNDAY, MAY 20
Music of the Early Nineteenth Century: A Parlor Concert for the Classical Guitar
Performed by David Temple The formal parlor of larger homes was perhaps the most popular venue for singers and instrumentalists of the 18th and 19th centuries. The intimate setting lends itself to more personal musical expression, rewarding the listener with a more immediate, unique experience. Reception to follow. Admission: $12; at the door. (Proceeds go to support production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” September 14 and 15). 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Elmendorph Inn, North Broadway & Cherry Street, Red Hook
SATURDAY, JUNE 2
The Land, The River, The People: A Bicentennial Concert Celebrating Red Hook’s History, Culture and Community
Enjoy a musical tribute to Red Hook by award winning Carnegie Hall, Broadway and Lincoln Center performers. Baritone John Cimino leads flutist Donna Wissinger, singer-actress Christine Clemmons McCune, pianist Jon Klibonoff and percussionist Richard Albagli in a special medley of song, prose, poetry and historical images at the Bard College Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Program by Creative Leaps International. Admission: Tickets $15 ($12 for seniors and children 12). Order on-line from Fisher Center Box Office at http://fishercenter.bard.edu/calendar/event.php?eid=114679&year=2012&month=6&day=2 or call them at 845-758-7900; For further information call 845-758-3031. 7 p.m. – Sosnoff Theater, Richard B. Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale
SUNDAY, JUNE 3 – TUESDAY, JUNE 5
Auditions for Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” Auditions for “Our Town,” directed by Deborah Temple. All roles open, with adults cast as adults, children in children’s parts. Performances scheduled for Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Red Hook. For information contact: Deborah Temple: 845-758-2242, ext. 3254; 845-758-0174. 3 – 5 p.m. Sunday, June 3 – Red Hook Central High School, 103 W. Market St., Red Hook 6 – 8 p.m. Monday & Tuesday, June 4 – 5 – Red Hook Central High School, 103 W. Market St., Red Hook
THURSDAY, JUNE 7
History Happened Here: Upper Red Hook
Local writer Roger Leonard discusses Upper Red Hook’s rural roots and signs copies of his new book, “Upper Red Hook: An American Crossroad” (available for purchase). Sponsored by the Red Hook Public Library. Light refreshments. Admission free. 6 p.m. –Elmendorph Inn, North Broadway & Cherry Street, Red Hook
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Blithewood Garden Tour and Artists’ Paint-Out
Visit Blithewood’s beautiful Gilded Age gardens, designed by Francis Hoppin for Captain Andrew Zabriskie. Interact with artists from Red Hook Community Arts Network (RHCAN) painting “en plein-aire” (outdoors in nature) with the gardens, Hudson River and Catskills as backdrop. Blithewood rose to prominence in the 1800s as the birthplace of the first distinctly American style of architecture, “Carpenter Gothic,” created by Alexander Jackson Davis and Andrew Jackson Downing, who popularized the style nationwide through a series of pattern books for constructing a beautiful home. At 2 p.m. Bessina Harrar, author of “Blithewood – A History of Place,” leads a garden tour. Admission free. For Paint-Out information, call Joanna Hess at 845-758-0335 or email: paintblithewood@gmail.com 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Bard College (behind the Levy Economics Institute), Annandale Adjacent parking limited
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Tivoli History and Walking Tour
Join local historian and former Tivoli mayor Tom Cordier for an entertaining afternoon of Tivoli history and anecdote, including who named Tivoli, why the eastern part of the village was called Madalin and more. Following his talk, Tom leads a tour of the business district and some of Tivoli’s historic buildings. Light refreshments. Admission free. 1 p.m. – Tivoli Village Hall, 3rd floor (elevator available), 1 Tivoli Commons, Tivoli
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
A Peaceable Secession: Red Hook Splits from Rhinebeck
With Town Historian J. Winthrop Aldrich’s knowledgeable, amusing guidance, Red Hook’s founding and early days come to life at this illustrated talk at Rokeby, his family’s historic Hudson River estate. Jointly sponsored by the Red Hook and Rhinebeck Historical Societies, the talk features rare period maps and images. Light refreshments. Admission $5. Space limited. Reservations required. Mail in reservation form below. 2 p.m. – Rokeby, 845 River Road, Barrytown Reservation Form – June 16 Rokeby Talk
MONDAY, JUNE 30 – FRIDAY, JULY 13
Giant Puppet Community Workshops
Help build Red Hook’s Bicentennial pageant! Work with artists Sophia Michahelles and Alex Kahn to create giant puppets, mobile architecture and other visual elements for a colorful “Portrait in Procession” on Community Heritage Day. No experience necessary. Geared to adults and teens but all ages invited. To participate, fill out our on-line form: (http://processionalarts.wufoo.com/forms/volunteer-for-red-hook-200-procession/ For questions, contact Carol Wagner at: rhpuppets@gmail.com. This project is made possible (in part) through a grant from the Dutchess County Arts Council, administrator of public funds through the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralization Program.
Sunday, July 1
Bicentennial Family Day at Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
See Cole Palen’s world-famous ‘living museum’ of antique aviation. Thrill to World War 1 aerial combat demonstrations. Witness a melodrama pitting the Red Baron (boo!!!) against Sir Percy Goodfellow (hurray!!!) over the affections of Trudy Truelove. Take a barnstorming biplane ride over the Hudson River Valley — $75 per person, “first come/first served.” Free admission to Red Hook residents, reduced admission for guests. 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, 9 Norton Road, Red Hook 1:45 p.m. – Bicentennial “Welcome!” 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – World War 1 Air Show
SATURDAY, JULY 14 (SUNDAY, JULY 15 – RAIN DATE)
Community Heritage Day Journey back in time with your family and friends on the beautiful grounds of Montgomery Place, enjoying demonstrations, displays, performances and hands-on activities celebrating Red Hook’s rural heritage from 1812 to the present. At day’s end, join in a magical “Portrait in Procession” of giant puppets. Free admission.
- ENJOY fresh, tasty foods from local vendors.
- PLAY 19th century games, help saw a log, raise a large-model Dutch barn.
- SEE antique tools, horse drawn farm machinery, rare iceboats and more.
- LEARN about local archaeology, Native American culture and Red Hook history.
- ATTEND class in a 1912 schoolroom but mind the old-fashioned schoolmarm!
- ASK the blacksmith, tinsmith and other craftspeople what they are making and how.
- MEET “FDR” in an astounding portrayal!
- ADMIRE beautiful works of art by local amateur and professional artists.
- ENGAGE with 1812 and Civil War re-enactors.
- LISTEN to country folk musicians
- SHARE your love of Red Hook in brief, recorded “living history” interviews.
- PARADE, GAMBOL AND SPIN in the colorful “Portrait in Procession” pageant of giant puppets (procession starts at 4 p.m.).
10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Montgomery Place Historic Site, River Road, Annandale A Dutchess County sponsored hybrid transit bus, which is wheelchair accessible, will be available to take residents to Community Heritage Day. This event is funded in part by the
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18
A Taste of the Past
Culinary historian Gary Allen serves up an inviting smorgasbord of Hudson Valley food history, including what Red Hookers were eating 200 years ago. Enjoy tasty treats provided free by local restaurants. Sponsored by the Red Hook Public Library. Admission free. 6 p.m. – Elmendorph Inn, North Broadway & Cherry Street, Red Hook
THURSDAY, JULY 26
The Hudson River: Currents of Life
Susan Fox Rogers discusses and signs copies of her new book, “My Reach: A Hudson River Memoir,” and her kayaking adventures on the Hudson River, as well as the river’s historic role in shaping Red Hook. Sponsored by the Red Hook Public Library. Light refreshments. Admission free. 6 p.m. – Elmendorph Inn, North Broadway & Cherry Street, Red Hook
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
Country Barn Dance and Concert
Clap, reel and stomp in the Ox-Barn at Rokeby Farm to the sweet harmonies and rhythmic energies of the Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band, musicians dubbed “the heart and soul of American roots.” Light refreshments. Admission $15 ($8 children 12 and under). Space limited. Reservations required. Mail in reservation below. 7:30 p.m. – Rokeby, 845 River Road, Barrytown Reservation Form – August 4 Barn Dance
This event is funded in part by the Outreach Fund of the Country Dance and Song Society, www.cdss.org
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
West Point Band Concert
For the first time ever in Red Hook, The U.S. Military Academy West Point Band will give a rousing riverbank concert at historic Montgomery Place. Bring a chair or blanket, pack a picnic and come early. Stroll the gardens, hike the trails and enjoy the beautiful views. Admission free. 9 a.m. Grounds open 6:30 p.m. Concert begins – Montgomery Place Historic Site, River Road, Annandale
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
Dutchess County Fair Showcases Bicentennial Quilt
The Red Hook Bicentennial Quilt will be on display in the needlework and stitchery section (at or near the Dutchess Quilters Guild Booth) during the Dutchess County Fair. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. – Building E, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Rhinebeck
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 and SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
“Our Town” A Play by Thornton Wilder, Directed by Deborah Temple
“Our Town” recognizes that life is both precious and ordinary and that these two fundamental truths are intimately connected. Through Wilder’s depiction of small town Grover’s Corners, with its “marrying… living… and dying,” we feel the true beauty of being in the here and now; of really living in Our Town. Admission: $5 at the door. Presented by the Red Hook Performing Arts Club, in honor of the Bicentennial. 7:30 p.m. – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Cemetery, 7412 South Broadway, Red Hook
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9
Dedication of Bicentennial Quilt
Unveiling in the permanent home at the Town Hall. 7:30 p.m. – Red Hook Town Hall, 7340 South Broadway, Red Hook
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13
Closing Ceremony
Join Bicentennial Celebration Committee members, volunteers, friends, neighbors and visitors at our Bicentennial Celebration Closing Ceremony. Witness the placing of a time capsule not to be opened until 2112. Reminisce about Red Hook’s past, reflect on what Red Hook’s 200th birthday celebration has meant, predict where we’ll be in another century. Light refreshments. 1 p.m. – Elmendorph Inn, North Broadway & Cherry Street, Red Hook
