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 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.
This beautiful church is located just off downtown Lewes, DE. The church’s cemetery is what attracted me to the site with all the historical names of founding families of Delaware and of Lewes and its ties to the Revolutionary War. It is interesting to walk around and look at the names on the tombstones and wonder what their lives must have been like back then. The church is only open on Sunday mornings so I have not had the chance to see inside. It’s stained glass windows are supposed to be amazing.
I am going to try to attend services there the next time I am in town.
The historic marker
Our History
(Written by Judith Atkins Roberts, 2003-Lewes Presbyterian Church website)
Presbyterianism came early to the Eastern Shore and Sussex County as Scots and Scotch-Irishmen sought refuge from the oppression of Charles II of England. In 1683, the Presbytery of Laggan, Scotland sent Rev. Francis Makemie to America. He is considered the Father of Presbyterianism in America and through his leadership the church grew rapidly. In 1683, he organized a church in Rehobeth, Maryland.
The congregation at Lewes was established under Rev. Samuel Davis, one of Makemie’s “young men,” in 1692. In 1707, the congregation built a small wooden church on one hundred feet square of land which was part of an original land grant. This frame building is believed to have been the second Presbyterian Church in Delaware.
OLD BRICK CHURCH – 1727
In 1727 a brick church was built for the Rev. John Thomson who served the Lewes congregation from 1717-1729. A small picture of this church is displayed in the Conference Room of the present church. This second church served as a school and church until 1832 when the present church was consecrated during the ministry of the Rev. John Mitchelmore. A centograph is displayed in the vestibule in memory of Rev. Mitchelmore who drowned in the Delaware River. In 1871 the brick church was demolished.
The original brick church
COL. DAVID HALL
During the War for Independence, George III once referred to the conflict as a Presbyterian rebellion and so it was as Presbyterians were invariably staunch patriots. The first democratic governor of Delaware, Col. David Hall, who had been commander of the Delaware line during the hostilities, was a member of the Lewes congregation.
The church cemetery
REV. MATTHEW WILSON
The most colorful of Lewes’ patriots was her Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Matthew Wilson, who was a scholar, teacher, author and preacher. He held degrees in medicine and divinity and had a great knowledge of law. He was so fervent a patriot that he wore the word “Liberty” on his hat. His first son, James Patriot Wilson, was a lawyer, then a minister who served the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia for forty years. James Patriot’s son, James Patriot, was President of Delaware College and the Union Theological Seminary. Thus the Wilsons continued the high standard of education which had been initiated by Rev. Matthew Wilson. It was he who suggested that an institution of higher learning be established at Newark fifty years before Delaware College was founded (Church website).
The church cemetery
The Church cemetery in the Spring 2024
The Sleeping tombstones at Lewes Presbyterian Church cemetery.
STAINED GLASS
Alterations have been made over the years to the present church which formerly had a balcony around three sides of the interior. The original windows were three sections of leaded glass panes which were replaced in 1926 by the six exquisite stained glass windows which now beautify our sanctuary. The Biblical events depicted in the windows are:
Come Unto Me
Blessing the Children
The Resurrection
The Nativity
The Good Shepherd
Walk to Emmaus
Two more windows were placed in the vestibule in 1965. The one on the left is in memory of Mrs. Lena Tammany. The circular one on the landing is in memory of our most beloved pastor, the Rev. William Leishman who served our church for 34 years (Church website).
The Church at Christmas time
RENOVATIONS
The organ and the choir were established in the balcony until 1877 when both were moved to the newly constructed choir loft. The Mustard property on the west side of the church was purchased and laid out in cemetery plots. The trustees also bought the Wesley property on the other side of the church where they built a manse. The present manse was built in 1959.
By 1886, extensive renovations were made to the interior and exterior of the church. The side galleries were removed, an open steeple was built to house a one thousand pound bell. A new organ was installed in the choir loft.
In 1900, a pipe organ was purchased and the church interior was redecorated. This organ was completely renovated in 1981 and in 2009. The Sunday School building (now the middle section of the new Activities Building constructed in 2000-01 was built in 1914. In 1950, the basement was finished and decorated as a social and recreational hall for the congregation.
Additions and changes have been made to the entrance over the years, the last one in 1931 when the original doorstep was placed on the right of the vestibule. In the late 1940’s the old steeple was replaced with a closed tower. In 2008-09, the sanctuary was reconstructed and rededicated to the glory of God on September 27, 2009.
GIFTS TO THE CHURCH
One of the most valued possessions of the Lewes Presbyterian Church is her Session Book which was begun in 1756 by Rev. Matthew Wilson. In this book are the records of baptisms, marriages and funerals, as well as comments made by various ministers on the social behavior of some members of the church who did not always exemplify the strict doctrines against liquor and gambling. It was placed at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia in 1982 for safekeeping.
Many gifts have been donated to the church over the years. The finest of these is the silver communion service which is believed to have been a gift of Col. Samuel Boyer Davis who commanded the militia during the bombardment of Lewes by the British in 1813. Col. Davis was the great-grandson of Rev. Samuel Davis.
Today our church continues the traditions established over nearly three hundred years. Perhaps our most beautiful tradition is that of the annual Candlelight Service at Christmas which was first held on December 16, 1924. Each year, the Nativity window is lit from the exterior of the church. Then at the close of the service, as each worshiper holds a lit candle, the church is darkened and voices are raised in a Christmas hymn which reminds us all of God’s precious gifts to us –
Don’t miss touring the historical sites of the Fishkill, NY area and then touring the local downtowns for something to eat.
There is lots to do and see in Fishkill, NY
There’s lots to do and see in Wappinger Falls, NY as well
Don’t miss these two wonderful downtowns and all the historical sites, parks, farms and wonderful eating establishments in the surrounding area. It makes a wonderful afternoon.
Christmas at the Brinkerhoff House
The Brinckerhoff House decorated for Christmas tea fundraiser
The First Reformed Church of Fishkill decorated for the Christmas holidays
I love visiting the Hudson River Valley so any event or tour that I can go on is an excuse to come up here. I had visited all the sites that I wanted to see on a trip two weeks earlier but wanted to see them in more detail plus I wanted to take some pictures. The weather finally broke, and it was a much more pleasant 83 degrees as opposed to the 96 degrees the trip before. That makes the trip much nicer.
I asked my aunt along so that we could share in the experience, and I could use her phone to take pictures of the all the sites. It is a much nicer trip when you have someone along who enjoys these things. The one nice thing about traveling to the Fishkill, New York area is that it is only an hour away and a straight run…
