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This summer, the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society (RJHS) is excited to unveil our upcoming annual exhibition, Sites to Celebrate: Local History Revisited. Join us for the grand opening on Saturday, July 12, 2 to 4 PM, as we embark on a journey through time that will run until Sunday, October 26, 2025.
This year's exhibit highlights ten historic sites within the Roe Jan area, each with a unique story. From well-known landmarks to hidden gems, and some that have recently emerged from the shadows of history, this exhibition invites you to explore the rich tapestry of our local heritage. Summer weekend programs will be pre-scheduled visits to actual sites featured in the exhibition.
The sites we will visit range from established historic districts to recently restored treasures and those currently undergoing careful restoration. This exhibition represents the combined efforts of the RJHS, the Copake Historic Preservation Committee, the Copake Grange, the Copake Ironworks, and many dedicated individuals, organizations, and public institutions committed to preserving our shared history.
AT THE MUSEUM:
Each weekend from 2-4 PM, the RJHS summer exhibition welcomes visitors to explore a plethora of information, photographs, documents, and artifacts representing the featured sites. The displays will vividly illustrate the historical significance of these
locations and highlight how they have and continue to play a vital role in our community through
restoration and repurposing. Notably, the RJHS venue, a former Methodist Church, was rescued, restored, and repurposed over 40 years ago. It remains a hub for the Roe Jan community as an active historical society and museum.
Working in concert with the RJHS Board of Directors, the Copake Historic Preservation Committee, the Copake Grange, and various individuals and organizations throughout the Roe Jan area are contributing valuable content, documents, artifacts, and images that will together breathe life into these significant historic places.
SITE VISITS:
In addition to our regular hours (Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 PM), RJHS will be hosting many special Sunday afternoon site visits from July through October. Sites we will visit include the former Bash Bish Inn and Copake Pure Water & Ice Co. Icehouse, the Copake Union Free School, the Craryville Depot Complex, the Copake Iron Works Historic District, Livingston era Mill Success, Boston Corner's original boundary marker in Ancram, Historic historic Hillsdale's town center, and others.
The site visits are free, but registration is required. Details regarding dates, times, and how to register will soon be available on the RJHS website. The RJHS website, future newsletters, and social media will continue to provide up-to-date information.
Note: From Saturday, July 12, to Sunday, October 26, the museum will be open during the regular 2 to 4 PM time slots on both Saturdays and Sundays. Museum admission and site visits are free. Donations are welcome.
ORIENTATION VIDEO:
To enhance the visitor experience, RJHS is producing a short orientation video that offers a compelling overview of the featured sites. This video will employ a "then and now" approach, allowing viewers to appreciate the original purposes of these sites, their evolution over time, and how they are being adaptively reused today. The video will play continuously at the museum during the run of the exhibit and will also be available for viewing on the RJHS website. www:roeliffjansenhs.org.
HUDSON RIVER BANK & TRUST FUNDS RJHS EXHIBITION CATALOGUE:
RJHS extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Hudson River Bank & Trust for generously funding the production of a vibrant, full-color catalogue for our summer exhibition, *Sites to Celebrate: Local History Revisited*.
This catalogue will not only serve as a stunning visual record of the exhibition but will also provide a comprehensive overview, enriched by insights from our dedicated historic preservation partners.
The catalogue will become available during the run of the exhibit.
A FULL SCHEDULE OF FREE SITE VISITS, INCLUDING
DATES, TIMES AND REGISTRATION WILL BE POSTED HERE SOON. BE SURE TO CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR DETAILS!
IMAGES FROM OUR 2024 SUMMER EXHIBITION
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