Red Hook Mural Project
First Red Hook Mural - "Harvest Past"
In 1996, I was working on a calendar with the Red Hook Views community (a grass roots organization committed to keeping the rural feel of the area intact) and they needed photos for their project. So, I began doing a bit of research on the town’s history, and upon doing so, I found this beautiful picture of a mill juxtaposed against the backdrop of a waterfall. The mill has since been demolished, but Mill Road, its namesake remains here as a reminder of the town’s linkage to the wheat industry.
From the beginning of the 18th century, and up until 1825, Red Hook, like many towns which dotted the Hudson Valley region, was a major player in wheat production. In fact, the Hudson Valley area was once called the ‘Bread Basket’ since the region produced nearly all the wheat for the country. It wasn’t until the arrival of the Erie Canal in 1825 that wheat production moved into the Mid-Western states forcing over two dozen mills in the Hudson Valley region, including the one in Red Hook, into closure. With the primary driver of the economy gone, the region fell quickly into economic decline, and farmers turned to growing crops such as apples which continue to be the mainstay crop for the area to this day.
This research soon became my inspiration for ‘Harvest Past’, the first of many murals that I would do for the town of Red Hook. It now covers the wall of a historic building located in our small town.
As you can see, in the background of the mural, a Livingston’s mill sits in the midst of a large wheat field, representing the sources of economic support in the past. However, the Dutch immigrant farmer is wheeling a cart filled not with wheat but with a harvest of apples, as this is the crop of the future.
In 1996, I was working on a calendar with the Red Hook Views community (a grass roots organization committed to keeping the rural feel of the area intact) and they needed photos for their project. So, I began doing a bit of research on the town’s history, and upon doing so, I found this beautiful picture of a mill juxtaposed against the backdrop of a waterfall. The mill has since been demolished, but Mill Road, its namesake remains here as a reminder of the town’s linkage to the wheat industry.
From the beginning of the 18th century, and up until 1825, Red Hook, like many towns which dotted the Hudson Valley region, was a major player in wheat production. In fact, the Hudson Valley area was once called the ‘Bread Basket’ since the region produced nearly all the wheat for the country. It wasn’t until the arrival of the Erie Canal in 1825 that wheat production moved into the Mid-Western states forcing over two dozen mills in the Hudson Valley region, including the one in Red Hook, into closure. With the primary driver of the economy gone, the region fell quickly into economic decline, and farmers turned to growing crops such as apples which continue to be the mainstay crop for the area to this day.This research soon became my inspiration for ‘Harvest Past’, the first of many murals that I would do for the town of Red Hook. It now covers the wall of a historic building located in our small town.
As you can see, in the background of the mural, a Livingston’s mill sits in the midst of a large wheat field, representing the sources of economic support in the past. However, the Dutch immigrant farmer is wheeling a cart filled not with wheat but with a harvest of apples, as this is the crop of the future.
Second Red Hook Mural - "The Tobacco Factory"
For over 100 years, the Tobacco Factory was a major employer in Red Hook. The factory was built by Mr. Robert Massonneau around the 1830’s. This building was the first business outside the Livingston stronghold. Sail boating sloops would transport the tobacco up the Hudson River to the Donaldson’s Dock (now known as Barrytown Landing), and the excitement generated by all this trade activity can be noted in a quote by William S. Massoneau in his book “History of Tobacco”:
"When a couple of hogsheads of Tobacco came to the Barrytown Dock, it was sent for with a large wagon and four horses to attract attention and sometimes a bugler, on horseback was sent ahead to announce its coming, as it was considered a noteworthy event."
In the upper section of the mural “The Tobacco Factory” is a depiction of men and women workers inside the factory during the mid-1850s. While employed women were rarity for the times, we know from historical records that many women in the area worked at the tobacco factory to supplement their family’s income. Next to this is a man reading to his employees to keep them attentive to their work. This habit of reading to one’s employees which first began in Red Hook was soon adopted by many factories in the Hudson Valley region during the 19th century.
For over 100 years, the Tobacco Factory was a major employer in Red Hook. The factory was built by Mr. Robert Massonneau around the 1830’s. This building was the first business outside the Livingston stronghold. Sail boating sloops would transport the tobacco up the Hudson River to the Donaldson’s Dock (now known as Barrytown Landing), and the excitement generated by all this trade activity can be noted in a quote by William S. Massoneau in his book “History of Tobacco”:"When a couple of hogsheads of Tobacco came to the Barrytown Dock, it was sent for with a large wagon and four horses to attract attention and sometimes a bugler, on horseback was sent ahead to announce its coming, as it was considered a noteworthy event."
In the upper section of the mural “The Tobacco Factory” is a depiction of men and women workers inside the factory during the mid-1850s. While employed women were rarity for the times, we know from historical records that many women in the area worked at the tobacco factory to supplement their family’s income. Next to this is a man reading to his employees to keep them attentive to their work. This habit of reading to one’s employees which first began in Red Hook was soon adopted by many factories in the Hudson Valley region during the 19th century.
Third Red Hook Mural - "The Sunken Garden"
The Sunken Garden mural commemorates a beautiful late 19th century Victorian garden which was part of an estate owned by Dr. W. E. Traver. As noted by the title of the mural, the garden was built below street level and was situated in what is now the village center of Red Hook.
When Dr. Traver sold his house in the 1940’s, the estate became the Regis Hotel. As history would have it, the property was then subdivided and the sunken garden was filled to make way for a gasoline station. Over the years, the hotel changed hands many times, eventually becoming the Red Hook Inn.
The garden depicted in this mural is a reminder of its heyday in 1913.
The Sunken Garden mural commemorates a beautiful late 19th century Victorian garden which was part of an estate owned by Dr. W. E. Traver. As noted by the title of the mural, the garden was built below street level and was situated in what is now the village center of Red Hook.When Dr. Traver sold his house in the 1940’s, the estate became the Regis Hotel. As history would have it, the property was then subdivided and the sunken garden was filled to make way for a gasoline station. Over the years, the hotel changed hands many times, eventually becoming the Red Hook Inn.
The garden depicted in this mural is a reminder of its heyday in 1913.
Fourth Red Hook Mural - "The North River Steamboat"
The North River Steamboat.(aka Clermont) began its maiden voyage on August 17, 1807. This trip up the Hudson River would begin in New York Harbor and end in Albany with a midway stop at Clermont Manor, the home of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, one of the founding fathers of the United States.
The stop at Clermont Manor was very apropos as Chancellor Livingston helped produce the first commercially viable steamboat with a young Pennsylvanian named Robert Fulton who he met while they were both working in France. Prior to this, steamboats were considered so unstable and dangerous that many critics called Robert Fulton’s venture into the steamboat arena, “Fulton’s Folly”.
The construction of this vessel began in a place once known as DeKoven’s Cove or Upper Red Hook Landing, and presently known as Tivoli Bays. This successful engineering of steam power allowed people to travel faster than ever before. In the past, the same trip on a sloop from New York to Albany would have taken at least a week. Now with a vessel that was capable of moving at rates of 5 miles per hour, the North River Steamboat made the trip in about 32 hours.
As family lore would have it, the debut of this invention was such an event that Chancellor Livingston would even announce the betrothal of his niece Harriet to Robert Fulton as the boat docked at Claremont Manor. More importantly, this event not only propelled a partnership between the two men, but gave New York its dominance over the shipping industry via its waterways.
The North River Steamboat.(aka Clermont) began its maiden voyage on August 17, 1807. This trip up the Hudson River would begin in New York Harbor and end in Albany with a midway stop at Clermont Manor, the home of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, one of the founding fathers of the United States.The stop at Clermont Manor was very apropos as Chancellor Livingston helped produce the first commercially viable steamboat with a young Pennsylvanian named Robert Fulton who he met while they were both working in France. Prior to this, steamboats were considered so unstable and dangerous that many critics called Robert Fulton’s venture into the steamboat arena, “Fulton’s Folly”.
The construction of this vessel began in a place once known as DeKoven’s Cove or Upper Red Hook Landing, and presently known as Tivoli Bays. This successful engineering of steam power allowed people to travel faster than ever before. In the past, the same trip on a sloop from New York to Albany would have taken at least a week. Now with a vessel that was capable of moving at rates of 5 miles per hour, the North River Steamboat made the trip in about 32 hours.
As family lore would have it, the debut of this invention was such an event that Chancellor Livingston would even announce the betrothal of his niece Harriet to Robert Fulton as the boat docked at Claremont Manor. More importantly, this event not only propelled a partnership between the two men, but gave New York its dominance over the shipping industry via its waterways.
Fifth Red Hook Mural - "The History of Ellenville" (15' x 25')
This mural of the history of Ellenville is a composition piece of all the relevant highlights that depict the town’s long and illustrious history.
To the upper left hand corner of the mural is an illustration of the legend behind the area now known as Sam’s Point. As the story goes, Sam Gonsalus, an early American pioneer from the late 1600’s, was caught trespassing on Native American territory. Upon seeing him on their land, the natives began chasing after him. With some luck and a set of fast feet, Mr. Gonsalus managed to escape by jumping several hundred feet off a ledge, miraculously landing on some soft brush without harm.
Next on the mural is a depiction of the landmarked Ellenville post office as it would have looked in 1923. Supposedly the town got its name from Ellen Snyder, a local barmaid, who proposed that the town be named after her when she was asked what the name should be once the town got their own postal designation. The name Ellenville was incorporated and became an official town in 1856.
In the center of the mural is a rendition of people ambling about on Main St. The architectural styles of the buildings are from the late 18th to the mid-20th centuries.
To the right of the mural is a rendition of the D&H Canal in Ellenville. The canal transported coal from Pennsylvania to the East coast, and allowed goods to be traded back and forth from the Midwest and New York.
As you can see, the barges were pulled by mules that traveled along a tow path. For this reason, there were stations built along the way so that the mules could rest and be replaced with another team of mules. Businessmen would soon build their centers of commerce around these stations for easy access to the trade routes.
This particular canal was built in 1828 and lasted until the invention of the train which draws us to the next part of the mural which is the depiction of a train from the New York Ontario & Western Railroad Company.
The New York & Oswego Railroad made stops at Ellenville for the first time in 1871. This company would later expand and become the New York Ontario & Western Railroad Company. By the mid-19th century, railroad trains instead of canal barges would now transport coal and other farm goods to New York City. And by the turn of the century, Ellenville became a popular tourist destination for Wall Street investors, bankers and other wealthy tycoons seeking a rural retreat away from the urban congestion of New York City.
Next to the train is a cart of blueberries with a blueberry bogs set against the background of the mural. With the availability of trains, growing blueberries became a large part of the economy in Ellenville as farmers were able to transport greater amounts of the produce to the marketplace.
I devoted part of the mural to some of the recreational activities in Ellenville. One of the most popular pastimes for this generation was horseback riding. The famous HITS Equestrian Training Center is located just outside the village. Moreover, the Shawangunk Mountains provided the enjoyment of hiking and picnicking to past generations as they always have
Finally, a depiction in the mural of a one room schoolhouse from the late 19th century serves as a reminder of the past. If you visit Ellenville, you can still see the school house as it has been maintained and preserved as part of Ellenville’s historic treasures.
This mural of the history of Ellenville is a composition piece of all the relevant highlights that depict the town’s long and illustrious history.
To the upper left hand corner of the mural is an illustration of the legend behind the area now known as Sam’s Point. As the story goes, Sam Gonsalus, an early American pioneer from the late 1600’s, was caught trespassing on Native American territory. Upon seeing him on their land, the natives began chasing after him. With some luck and a set of fast feet, Mr. Gonsalus managed to escape by jumping several hundred feet off a ledge, miraculously landing on some soft brush without harm.
Next on the mural is a depiction of the landmarked Ellenville post office as it would have looked in 1923. Supposedly the town got its name from Ellen Snyder, a local barmaid, who proposed that the town be named after her when she was asked what the name should be once the town got their own postal designation. The name Ellenville was incorporated and became an official town in 1856.In the center of the mural is a rendition of people ambling about on Main St. The architectural styles of the buildings are from the late 18th to the mid-20th centuries.
To the right of the mural is a rendition of the D&H Canal in Ellenville. The canal transported coal from Pennsylvania to the East coast, and allowed goods to be traded back and forth from the Midwest and New York.
As you can see, the barges were pulled by mules that traveled along a tow path. For this reason, there were stations built along the way so that the mules could rest and be replaced with another team of mules. Businessmen would soon build their centers of commerce around these stations for easy access to the trade routes.
This particular canal was built in 1828 and lasted until the invention of the train which draws us to the next part of the mural which is the depiction of a train from the New York Ontario & Western Railroad Company.
The New York & Oswego Railroad made stops at Ellenville for the first time in 1871. This company would later expand and become the New York Ontario & Western Railroad Company. By the mid-19th century, railroad trains instead of canal barges would now transport coal and other farm goods to New York City. And by the turn of the century, Ellenville became a popular tourist destination for Wall Street investors, bankers and other wealthy tycoons seeking a rural retreat away from the urban congestion of New York City.
Next to the train is a cart of blueberries with a blueberry bogs set against the background of the mural. With the availability of trains, growing blueberries became a large part of the economy in Ellenville as farmers were able to transport greater amounts of the produce to the marketplace.
I devoted part of the mural to some of the recreational activities in Ellenville. One of the most popular pastimes for this generation was horseback riding. The famous HITS Equestrian Training Center is located just outside the village. Moreover, the Shawangunk Mountains provided the enjoyment of hiking and picnicking to past generations as they always have
Finally, a depiction in the mural of a one room schoolhouse from the late 19th century serves as a reminder of the past. If you visit Ellenville, you can still see the school house as it has been maintained and preserved as part of Ellenville’s historic treasures.
Sixth Red Hook Mural - "Mohicans First Sighting"
The sixth mural in the series is dedicated to the Mohicans who settled in the Hudson Valley area prior to the arrival of westerners in the 17th century. As with many Native American tribes, the Mohicans lived in harmony with nature. Unlike modern day human beings, Native American hunters and fishermen were very good at managing nature’s resources.
In the mural, ‘Mohicans First Sighting’, a young Mohican scout, walking in the midst of a forest, experiences his first sighting of a half moon illuminating the daytime sky. As you can imagine, the young scout is surprised by appearance of a moon during the day. Like the scout in the picture, we have all been overtaken by nature’s power at one point or another.
Yet unlike the Mohicans, and other Native American tribes, we have taken nature for granted through our continual exploitation of the environment. Without a respectful and caring relationship towards the natural world, we may lose access to the very gifts that are essential to our own survival. And for this reason alone, we need to start taking care of the world around us in the same way as our Native American brothers and sisters have done in the past.
The Mohicans have helped us preserve the bounty and beauty of the Hudson Valley. It is now our turn to keep this legacy for future generations.
The sixth mural in the series is dedicated to the Mohicans who settled in the Hudson Valley area prior to the arrival of westerners in the 17th century. As with many Native American tribes, the Mohicans lived in harmony with nature. Unlike modern day human beings, Native American hunters and fishermen were very good at managing nature’s resources.
In the mural, ‘Mohicans First Sighting’, a young Mohican scout, walking in the midst of a forest, experiences his first sighting of a half moon illuminating the daytime sky. As you can imagine, the young scout is surprised by appearance of a moon during the day. Like the scout in the picture, we have all been overtaken by nature’s power at one point or another.
Yet unlike the Mohicans, and other Native American tribes, we have taken nature for granted through our continual exploitation of the environment. Without a respectful and caring relationship towards the natural world, we may lose access to the very gifts that are essential to our own survival. And for this reason alone, we need to start taking care of the world around us in the same way as our Native American brothers and sisters have done in the past.
The Mohicans have helped us preserve the bounty and beauty of the Hudson Valley. It is now our turn to keep this legacy for future generations.
