From the historian’s perspective
Linda Weintraub
The individuals who contributed the following essays offer readers a fascinating overview of the lingering evidence of Henry Hudson's historic journey upon our region. Their perspectives reflect passionate commitments to researching the recent and distant past within their locales and their equal dedication to disseminating the products of their efforts. From them we learn the origins of the names and the configuration of streets in our home towns. By tracing the lineage of our neighbors to early settlers, we all gain a better appreciation of the Hudson River as a passageway between cultures. Their essays help us discern remnants of former farming, crafting, architecture, and industrial processes that originated in our Dutch legacy. All the original inhabitants of the Hudson Valley figure into their analyses: human, plant, and animal. As such, these learned historians offer visitors to our exhibition and readers of this publication authentic and intimate perspectives on the significance of Henry Hudson's historic voyage.
