Publications

Holly Berry Book

Inspired by the idea of Christine Hein, Junior League of Kingston  president 2009-2011,  Holly Berry Tidings and Traditions was created in the Summer/Fall 2010 in time for the League’s 10th anniversary of the Holly Berry Trail. The Junior League of Kingston shares holiday tidings & traditions to make the holidays shine brighter. The photographs, recipes, decorating and craft ideas contained in the book were submitted by members or friends of the Junior League of Kingston, or from previous homeowners who generously opened their homes for our Holly Berry Trail.

This beautiful volume commemorates the 10th anniversary of the League’s major fundraiser, the Holly Berry Trail. Inside the book are rich color photographs, festive decorating ideas, tips to make decking the halls easy and stunning, holiday crafts and holiday recipes. The ideas found within the pages of the book will help to make the holidays richer, merrier and more special than ever before.

 

Early Architecture in Ulster County Book

The Early Architecture in Ulster County book is part of a larger Junior League of Kingston project known as the Historic Preservation Program. This project began in 1964 when the Historic Preservation Committee of Ulster County came to the Junior League of Kingston to seek their help with a survey of the county’s pre-1850s architecture. A group was formed under the leadership of architect, William Van Benschoten which became the guiding force behind the project with help from the New York State Council on the Arts and county resident and architectural historian, James Vanderpool.

Members initiated the survey phase of its Historic Preservation Program in the sixties by canvassing and recording all buildings, residential and commercial, constructed prior to 1850 in Ulster County. First, town historians were asked to provide information on all buildings on the 1850 map. Then each of these over 1700 buildings were photographed and their owners were interviewed. After four years of research, the results of this project were cataloged and forwarded to the Library of Congress. These seven volumes, following the standard format for the Historic American Buildings Survey, they were too long and detailed for most readers.

The League wanted a small book similar to those published for Dutchess, Onondaga and Rensselaer counties by the State Council on the Arts entitled, Architecture Worth Saving. To pursue this goal, they engaged a consultant, Hancock, Little, Calvert, Inc. to make recommendations. Based on the survey results, the consultant selected a preferred group of 84 buildings and places. This list was submitted the Council on the Arts in a request for financial assistance.

With the Council agreeing to help fund the publication, work began on the book. Barry Benepe, an architect-planner with a strong interest in local history signed on as editor, and the original list of locations was grouped into historic districts. Other locations were added as some previously overlooked buildings were discovered and the scope was broadened to include a few buildings built after 1850 and other structures such as a railway viaduct. During the spring and summer of 1972 nearly 500 photographs were taken of over a hundred buildings in Kingston, Hurley and New Paltz.

The emphasis began to shift from just individual structures to a community united by a common history. With the help of Marc Reid and Harry Rigby the history was organized according to geographic areas, including the Esopus Creek-Roundout Valley, the Wallkill Valley and the Hudson Valley. Finally in 1974, the League published the book Early Architecture in Ulster County, which remains an important resource for local history to this day.