Klyne Esopus Museum 764 Route 9 West Ulster Park, NY 12487

Klyne Esopus Museum 764 Route 9 West Ulster Park, NY 12487

Klyne Esopus Museum

764 Route 9 West

Ulster Park, NY 12487

(845) 338-8109

https://www.esopushistorymuseum.org/

https://www.facebook.com/EsopusHistoryMuseum/

Open: Sunday-Monday 11:00am-4:00pm/Tuesday-Thursday Closed/Friday-Saturday 11:00am-4:00pm

Admission: Free but donations are taken to offset costs

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g48749-d26495761-r908410891-Klyne_Esopus_Museum-Ulster_Park_Catskill_Region_New_York.html?m=19905

The Klyne Esopus Museum is the home of the Town of Esopus Historical Society and is a treasure trove of information of early life in the Hudson River Valley and the role this small town played in the shaping of American society in this region. There are all sorts of displays on early American life, cottage industries that made the community grow and its role in the modern age.

The Klyne Esopus Museum at 764 Route 9 West

The sign welcoming visitors to the museum.

The Main Gallery at the Museum

The museum’s main gallery is surrounded by cases displaying the story of the area depicting the various aspects of industry, commerce, agriculture and domestic activities of the town’s residents. Former residents of note that are featured are Sojourner Truth, John Burroughs and Alton Parker to name a few. year a curated exhibition focusing on a special theme is centrally featured. These are some of the exhibits that are showcased at the museum:

The Native American exhibit:

The exhibit has an interesting collection of arrowheads, fishing and household items that were used by the local tribes who once lived in the area.

The display of arrowheads and fishing items

The extensive display of Native American fishing and household items.

The Apple industry:

The local Apple industry was a major part of the economy in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The apple, the “Esopus Spitzenburg” was developed in Esopus. The Dutch had developed the agricultural industry of the area that supplied New York City with seasonal fruits and vegetables.

The Dutch Farming Industry and the development of local harvests

With the community based by the Hudson River and transportation being such a big part of the local economy, the displays on shipping and the local lighthouses were prominent at the museum. The display has all sorts of pictures and artifacts from the era of steamboat transportation down the Hudson River.

The Lighthouse and Shipping Industry

There were displays on famous residents such as Sojourner Truth and John Burroughs and their role in the community.

The artifacts and display on Sojourner Truth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_Truth

The artifacts and display on John Burroughs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Burroughs

The church is also featured pictures of clergy and their families, the history of the church and the decor of items that used to adorn the church when it was a place of worship. There is a large display on church history in the back of the museum.

The Church display of its history

The local veterans are prominently displayed at the museum as was showing the spirit and support of the wars and battle. It also shows the townspeople participation and dedication in the war effort.

The World War II exhibition

Recreation and leisure are a big part of the Hudson River Valley society and items such as ice skates, swimming and boating show how people enjoyed their free time. This still plays out today. Household items were also displayed as well showing life at that time.

Household and Recreation items on display

The History of the museum:

(From the website and pamphlet)

The Klyne Esopus Museum that is located in Ulster Park, NY is housed in the former Dutch Reformed Church, which is a charming country church built in 1827. It served the community for over 175 years and replaced a smaller building built in 1792 originally located 1000 ft. to the north.  The church closed in 1965. The governing body of the church scheduled the building for demolition.

Faced with this reality, the former members of the congregation and the larger community rallied to preserve the building.  In 1969, a group known as the Klyne Esopus Historic Preservation Committee formed. Formal incorporation of the group took place in 1970.  After 17 years of fundraisers, repairs to the building, preserving and collecting, the museum finally opened to the public. In 2002, the building became designated a State and National Historic Landmark. 

The historical society museum opened to the public in 1984, offering a variety of exhibits about the culture, commerce and history of the Town of Esopus. The town is typical of rural America but it unique in many ways. Its geographic location and topography have spawned a variety of industries, resulting in a rich history and a diverse population.

The Klyn Esopus Museum is the Historical Society of the Town of Esopus. Its goal is to preserve, interpret and disseminate the history of the town. By fostering an awareness of the past and providing a repository for the artifacts and memorabilia of its former residents, it enables present and future generations to identify and appreciate times gone by. Today, a small, committed group of volunteers is working to make history meaningful and relevant to visitors of all ages. 

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