New Paltz Historical Society

THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE HUDSON VALLEY

Our Hudson Valley boasts well-known historic sites such as Franklin D. Roosevelt's home and Presidential Library, the Vanderbilt Mansion, the United States Military Academy at West Point, Revolutionary War sites, historic river front cities, and others, which attract thousands of tourists every year. At the same time, a number of relatively unknown but historically significant locales in the region often go unnoticed. In most cases the sites are hidden in plain view, positioned along heavily trafficked roads or in the midst of city centers.

Anthony Musso has been exploring and writing about our area, and since 2011, has published three wonderful volumes about these nearly unknown treasures. The books, titled the “Hidden Treasures of the Hudson Valley," each contain descriptions and directions to 55 different sites. Existing buildings such as early stagecoach stops and prominent inns that served as meeting places for some of the nation's first political leaders are identified in narratives that describe each one's history. Aging structures that line the streets of local cities, towns, and villages served as critical components of the Revolutionary War, early American industry, and social hubs during past centuries, are included.

Tonight's talk, the first of three we will host over the next year or so, is based on Volume 1, and will cover many places that are easy day trips from New Paltz. Join us and learn how the Continental Army resisted the advancement of British troops in the Hudson Valley, how entrepreneurs William and Andrew Smith developed their famous cough drops, and how Matthew Vassar gained significant wealth brewing beer before founding one of the nation's most prestigious colleges.

Discover a local theater whose stage once featured the talents of Frank Sinatra, Enrico Caruso, and Sarah Bernhardt, and learn why a small city in the region was once known as the "Hat Capital of the United States."

Transformed structures built for one purpose and now serving another hold historic secrets. Identify meetinghouses where Quakers worshiped and travelers in the Underground Railroad sought refuge. Learn how a peaceful country estate became the epicenter of the 1960s drug culture. Read about, visit and explore these historic diamonds in the rough...the hidden treasures of the Hudson Valley!

ANTHONY MUSSO

Anthony Musso was born and raised in Brooklyn New York. Following a tour of duty in the United States Army he attended Nassau Community College and Hofstra University while at the same time beginning a 38-year career with the United States Postal Service. A writer/editor for several publications throughout his career, working for Postal Headquarters he also served as a media spokesman and editor of an 85,000-circulation, monthly magazine distributed in the northeast corridor of the country.

In addition to his government service Musso worked as a freelance correspondent for the Times-Herald Record in Middletown, New York and later as a journalist and weekly columnist with Gannett Newspapers, a position he still maintains.

His first book, "FDR and the Post Office" was released in 2005 and was followed by a two-volume book, "Setting the Record Straight; the music and careers of recording artist from the 1950's and 1960's...in their own words." The later project was based on personal interviews Musso conducted with 100 top recording artists from that era. His next books, published between 2011 and 2018, "Hidden Treasures of the Hudson Valley" Volume One, Two and Three, each feature 55 sites throughout the upstate New York Hudson Valley region that, while not widely known, boast significant ties to, among other things the American Revolution, early American industry and local and national politics. He released "Staatsburg: A Village Lost In Time" in fall 2014. "Hidden Treasures of the Catskills" was released in October 2015. Tony will have copies of his books for sale after the presentation, and will gladly autograph copies for buyers.

Tony Musso has resided in the Hudson Valley since 1986. For more information, visit his website at: www.mussobooks.com/home.html

Join us on Wednesday, November 6, 2019,

for Hidden Treasures of the Hudson Valley

7:00 pm

New Paltz Community Center

3 Veterans Drive,

New Paltz, NY

Refreshments will be served.

This event is free and open to the public.

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