News & Upcoming Events in
Orange County History & Heritage
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Over the past weeks, I have watched the news closely for stories about the fate of monuments, statues and historic sites as National attention has focused on controversies surrounding the intent, purpose and legacies of historic figures in public art. Several times I have had to open my PowerPoint files related to a public talk that I offer titled,
Who Owns the Past: Works of Art, Monuments, and Contention Over the Politics of Historical Memory,
in order to make edits and additions to the topics covered within. It’s not a light topic, the presentation clocks in around 90 minutes with audience questions and input often extending the full program out to two hours of discussion. But it’s a worthy discussion to have at length because there are no easy answers when trying to understand how objects from the past play a role in shaping our current social and political reality.
I've been contacted for comments too and my professional opinion on whether a monument should be removed from public view is always dependent on nuanced factors pertaining to each individual situation. I have seen positive outcomes in communities,
such as New York City
, where historians, anthropologists and cultural leaders have been asked to compile a thorough and thoughtful study of public art. Therefore, I implore local historians and educators to give the monuments in your community some special thought. Are resources available to explain the reason for their creation? Would the public benefit from more context if it could be provided? Before we all jump to extremes, can we use this
historic moment
to reevaluate our monuments and use them as tools to educate the public about local history?
If you don't know where to begin, I am available to speak to students or organizations about this important and timely topic.
Sincerely,
Johanna Porr Yaun
Orange County Historian
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Hudson Valley Historian Kieran J. O'Keefe
Weighs in on Revolutionary War Monuments
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MONUMENTS TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Along with the Civil War, the American Revolution is one of the two most iconic events in American history. The Revolution has inspired countless myths, been used as a political weapon, and is at the heart of American civic religion. Generations of Americans have honored and commemorated the Revolution by erecting monuments to various peoples, places and events. In recent years, monuments to the Confederacy have come under scrutiny, with many arguing they were erected as symbols for white supremacy and that they served to promote the “lost cause” narrative of the Civil War. Given this controversy, Americans have been forced to reconsider Confederate monuments. Who built them? When were erected? Why were they constructed? What do the monuments represent? The same questions can be asked about monuments built to the American Revolution. I have compiled a database of approximately 450 monuments, memorials, statues, and plaques to the American Revolution across the country. While this is not a completely exhaustive list, it does allow general conclusions about the patterns, trends, and broader themes of Revolution monuments.
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Cemetery Workshops for Summer 2020
The cemetery care workshop that was originally scheduled for May has been rescheduled for
July 18, 2020 from 11AM to 1PM. It will take place at the Rossville Cemetery in partnership with Town of Newburgh Historian Alan Crawford.
To maintain social distance an avoid sharing tools, please bring a mask in addition to your own bucket, plastic scrubbing brush and pair of chopsticks. D2 solution and instruction will be provided. The workshop is FREE but limited to the first 16 participants who RSVP. Please email NNazzaro@orangecountygov.com to RSVP or if you have any questions.
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The Covid-19 pandemic delayed our 2020 plans but we now ready to plan outdoor public programming. We have the dates
August 15, September 12 and October 10, 2020 available for cemetery workshops. Let us know if you'd like to collaborate with us to plan a clean-up at your local cemetery.
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Documenting the Affects of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Orange County
In an effort to record the experiences of our local community during this transformative period we are asking that the public contribute their personal accounts, observations and creative thoughts to our archive.
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***Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are in the process of returning to our offices in Goshen and Newburgh.***
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Email if you have an inquiry!
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We are returning to our offices this month therefore access to the archive is now available by appointment. All visitors to the building must wear a mask. Contact Nicole nnazzaro@orangecountygov.com or Johanna jyaun@orangecountygov.com we may be able to help you by email, phone or Zoom Video Conference.
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Office of the Orange County Historian 101 Main Street Goshen NY 10924 845-360-6978
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