Greater Hudson Heritage Network's Awards for Excellence program seeks to recognize and commend exceptional efforts among GHHN members. Awards are made to projects that exemplify creativity and professional vision resulting in a contribution to the preservation and interpretation of the historic scene, material culture and diversity of the region.
The awards will be presented at the GHHN Flipping the Narrative Annual Conference on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Bear Mountain Inn & Conference Center, Bear Mountain, New York.
2018
Awards for Excellence
are presented to:
"When Slavery Died Hard: The Forgotten History of Ulster County and the Shawangunk Mountain Region"
Cragsmoor Historical Society
Cragsmoor (Ulster)
This education award is in recognition of the documentary "Where Slavery Died Hard..." grows from their community's efforts to reconsider its history and the history of the Shawangunk Region. While researching for
The Cragsmoor Historical Journal, archaeologists/historic preservation consultants Wendy E. Harris and Arnold Pickman discovered that in 1820, one of Cragsmoor's early families contained an enslaved child. The phrase "where slavery died hard," was bestowed upon Ulster County as a result of its resistance to abolition during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. This documentary hopes to contribute to a body of knowledge that will verify the significance of the African-American presence in this region.
"Lost Hamlets of the Rondout Reservoir"
Ellenville Public Library & Museum
Ellenville (Ulster)
This project award is in recognition of the "Lost Hamlets of the Rondout Reservoir" online exhibit hosted by Hudson River Valley Heritage. It tells the story of people and communities of the Lackawack Valley displaced by the Rondout Reservoir which was constructed to bring water to New York City in the 1930's. Tragically, 58 men died and over 250 families were erased in order to make way for the reservoir. Utilizing photographs and interviews from primary source documents in EPL&M collections, this exhibit will raise public awareness of the impact the reservoir had on lives of the former residents and cause an appreciation for the pure drinking water we often take for granted.
"In Her Words: A Women's History Lecture and Performance"
Historic Huguenot Street
New Paltz (Ulster)
This education award is in recognition of "In Her Words: A Women's History Lecture and Performance" at Historic Huguenot Street. On March 10, 2018, Historic Huguenot Street held a performance telling the stories of eight influential women who helped shape local history over the last four centuries. Through monologues and music derived from historical research and in collaboration with local historians and scholars, the audience was given a glimpse these women's dreams, fears, flaws, and challenges during momentous times in the region's history.
"Living In Style: Selections from George Way Collection of Dutch Fine and Decorative Art"
Historic Huguenot Street
New Paltz (Ulster)
This project award is in recognition of the catalogue and exhibition presented by Historic Huguenot Street entitled, "Living In Style: Selections from George Way Collection of Dutch Fine and Decorative Art". The catalogue and exhibition celebrates the impact of Dutch culture in the Hudson Valley. Featuring more than one hundred 17th- and 18th-century Dutch items from the Netherlands, the exhibition provides visitors with an immersive encounter by placing the objects as they would have been centuries ago in a Dutch home in the Netherlands. The
Living in Style fully illustrated 56 page color catalogue features over seventy-five images of individual objects in the exhibition, as well as installation views of the room.
"Museum Studies Partnership for Learning"
Hudson River Museum
Yonkers (Westchester)
This project award is in recognition of the interdisciplinary educational curriculum, "Museum Studies Partnership for Learning" that included workshops, museum visits, and classroom lessons as part of an in-depth collaborative relationship with Yonkers Public Schools' Museum School 25. The curriculum seeks to exercise students' creativity while engaging them in projects that would enhance critical thinking skills and help them make connections between art, science, and history.
Laurel Marx
Laurel Marx Design
New York (New York)
This project award is in recognition of Laurel Marx and her excellent interpretation, curation, exhibit design, graphic design, conservation, and fabrication in her creation of an interactive exhibit about the history of the Croton System and New York City water supply at the new Keeper's House Visitor Center in Dobbs Ferry. The exhibit planning and design team developed a hands-on exhibit experience that effectively combines the playfulness of a science center, the traditional aesthetic of an historic house, and the authenticity of historic images and documents that have never been on public display before.
Mabee Farm Historic Site
Rotterdam Junction (Schenectady)
This project award is in recognition of the Mabee Farm Historic Site for its completed reinterpretation of the 1705 Mabee House and surrounding buildings. The reinterpretation drew upon extensive research and surveying of the public to design a tour and a historic interior that is accessible, educational, and inspiring to visitors.
"Clinton: 1828-1938"
Town of Clinton Historical Society
Clinton Corners (Dutchess)
This project award is in recognition of the exhibit, "Clinton: 1828-1938" which portrays elements of the Town of Clinton's history, using over 230 vintage photographs and more than 80 artifacts from this period. The images and artifacts, most never exhibited before, are pieces from private collections and the Clinton Historical Society's archives.
