Page 38 - Antiques and Collectibles September 2019 Historic Hudson Valley
P. 38
Other Modes of Transportation Though the Hudson River’s ice hampered many ships, inspiration from Europe inspired some intrepid sailors to attach
Passenger steamships, though popular, found blades to their hulls for fast river transportation even during winter. The speed of these ice boats lent themselves to
competitors in the new trains that cruised up and down racing, and the sport was born. The Hudson Valley was once the iceboating capital of the world. "This sport captured
the New York shore. Railroads were faster and novel, but the imagination of many people in the 1850s, 1860s, to 1910," said Robert Wills, Vice Commodore of the Hudson
steamers epitomized taking the scenic route; they were River Ice Yacht Club. The races ran about 20 miles long and drew thousands of people to Poughkeepsie, along
clean, comfortable, and presented non-stop sightseeing with various national publications such as The New York Times and Collier’s. Ice sailors boasted that they were
opportunities. Railroads might get you where you the fastest vehicles on earth, and though it started as an everyman sport, wealthy Hudson Valley
families got into it and commissioned boats to race their neighbors, the Roosevelts included. Ice racing
needed to go, but taking a trip aboard a paddle wheeled sadly went out of favor when trains, cars, and airplanes took over speed records, but Marist College
steamboat was a diversion in itself. Steamers continued professor Bob Sullivan tells a story in an article written for The Groundhog about FDR’s uncle, John
transporting tourists well into the 20th century. Roosevelt racing a train with his iceboat in 1871. "I don't know if the train engineer
Steam power also fueled Hudson River towing, a big knew about it," Sullivan joked. "He beat the train. They used to go 65 miles
business for most of the 19th century and on into the per hour on the river." If you are feeling adventurous, the Hudson River Ice
20th. Steam tugs started as retired passenger ships, but in Yacht Club still gives out rides. – Photo of FDR iceboating on the Hudson
the second half of the 19th century, dedicated steam River aboard the Hawk, 1905. Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt
towboats developed for pulling boats or barges down the Presidential Library and Museum
long stretches of the river. These are the tugboats that we
know today. The principal towing company, Cornell
Steamboat Company located in Rondout, NY, pulled manuscripts, ledgers and receipts, and historic books as
freight from the 1880s until 1930. well as larger objects such as ship name signs, parts of
If you were to step onto the shore of the Hudson River Hudson River ships, model ships, tools, and materials
in the mid- to late 19th century, you would see a busy relating to Hudson River Valley industries such as
channel filled with maritime commerce. From sloops to brick-making, ice harvesting, bluestone quarrying and
large, fanciful passenger ships to tugs pulling cargo, the carving, boat building, etc.”
river was bustling with activity. The 20th century Clearly, there is a wide variety of Hudson River
brought the decline of sloops and showy steamers, maritime collectibles floating about. Should the history
replacing them with self-propelled freighters and ferries. of the ships in those famous paintings interest you,
Ferries crossed the river and stood in until a series of I encourage you to do some digging of your own.
bridges were constructed in the 1920s and 30s to span the Hudson River specific memorabilia command
river at key points. Today’s river is host to freighters, tugs, respectable prices due to historic import and demand.
guiding pilot boats, a few ferries and pleasure cruise ships, You may well find a story or a ship that calls to you,
and an array of recreational boats. River shipping is not as such as the Mary Powell. The fastest passenger ship on
dominant as it once was, but you can still see large cargo “Whitehalls” were fast rowing boats developed in New York to speed the river for around 55 years, Mary carried General
ships from all over the world navigating the Hudson’s messages, people, and goods short distances around the harbor. Custer’s body to his final resting place at West Point
finicky sandbars. The work was competitive, and rowers raced each other for fun until after his Last Stand, and Walt Whitman wrote in 1878,
The Hudson River Maritime Museum has a page on the demands of spectators made competitions more formal. Rowing “On the Mary Powell, enjoy’d everything beyond
clubs sprang up along the Hudson and have attracted spectators for
its website asking for artifact donations. They gladly precedent ... constantly changing but ever beautiful
decades, and crew ephemera is just as popular. — Photo from the
accept an array of objects relating to the Hudson River. illustrious Poughkeepsie Regatta: “Wisconsin freshmen on Hudson panorama on both sides of the river (went up near a
hundred miles).” No matter your ship of choice,
“These may include ephemera and memorabilia from River,” June 1914, Courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Journal and
Hudson River boats, historic photographs, letters and Shorpy Historic Pictures options for collecting the historic Hudson River extend
far beyond its namesake paintings.
... continued built from 1866-1872, was 1,185 feet long, Grenadier Hat, Unknown maker,
from page 34 five-stories high, and employed 3,100 primarily circa 1750–1775, Wool
female employees—that put the Harmony Gift of Mrs. Victor Morawetz, 1944.96
complex on the map. The Albany area grew During the French and
into a manufacturing center rich in history and Indian War Albany County had
culture as rich investors came, built, and three battalions of militia, one
reaped benefits. from the City of Albany with a
grenadier unit. A soldier in that
unit may have worn this hat, a
The Schuyler Sisters, rare survivor with only a handful
For Example of others known to exist.
Traditionally, the hat is said
The vast collection of to have been a gift from a
Albany Tulip Queen Crown designed by Hajo clothing, accessories, and wounded officer to a resident of
Christoph, made by George Righthand, circa textiles at the Albany Institute Stockbridge, MA, as a symbol of
1949, Brass and copper trimmed with rabbit reflects the lifestyles residents in gratitude. This story might be true, but
fur and ermine Gift of Katherine G. Herrick, 1985.2 the area over time. Its newest there was debate as to whether or not officers wore such hats
into battle or simply wore them for ceremonial purposes.
exhibit, The Schuyler Sisters and Prominent features include the Royal Arms of Great
Their Circle (on view through Britain that is flanked by the lion of England and the unicorn
December 29, 2019), was sparked by of Scotland, the word "Albany" embroidered on the brim,
the recent upsurge in interest in the and a beaver. The beaver may have represented Albany or
Revolutionary War brought out by the even the Province of New York. Altogether, this hat reflects
the larger role that Albany played during a period of intense
musical Hamilton, which prominently
international conflict.
features the three eldest Schuyler daughters:
Angelica Schuyler Church, Elizabeth Schuyler
Hamilton, and Margaret (Peggy) Schuyler
Van Rensselaer. According to the Institute, Center left: Fire Screen, Albany, 1792, Mahogany
“The exhibition will use clothing, decorative with satin wood inlay, embroidered silk and
arts, portraits, and manuscripts from the
Revolutionary Period to the Federal Period embossed leather Gift of Keith S. McHugh, 1970.1.2 a and b
to tell the stories of the Schuyler women.
… Twenty-six public and private Eliza Sanders of Scotia, New York, stitched two fire screens
institutions and individuals have in 1792, one showing the eastern hemisphere and the other the
western. This type of needlework was commonly done in girls’
lent their treasures to this
Installation of 3 dresses ranging in date from exhibition. For the first time, finishing schools, and demonstrates that young girls frequently
circa 1795 to 1805 all part of the collection of objects associated with the learned their geography with needle and thread.
The slender poles with urn finials and shield-shaped screens
The
the Albany Institute. In the exhibition Schuyler sisters will be brought with inlaid fans are characteristic of the Federal Style. The
Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle on view now together in their hometown and displayed in stands may be English but Eliza carefully stitched her designs in
until December 29, 2019. the museum’s second-floor galleries.” the comfort of her family home along the Mohawk River.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
36
Passenger steamships, though popular, found blades to their hulls for fast river transportation even during winter. The speed of these ice boats lent themselves to
competitors in the new trains that cruised up and down racing, and the sport was born. The Hudson Valley was once the iceboating capital of the world. "This sport captured
the New York shore. Railroads were faster and novel, but the imagination of many people in the 1850s, 1860s, to 1910," said Robert Wills, Vice Commodore of the Hudson
steamers epitomized taking the scenic route; they were River Ice Yacht Club. The races ran about 20 miles long and drew thousands of people to Poughkeepsie, along
clean, comfortable, and presented non-stop sightseeing with various national publications such as The New York Times and Collier’s. Ice sailors boasted that they were
opportunities. Railroads might get you where you the fastest vehicles on earth, and though it started as an everyman sport, wealthy Hudson Valley
families got into it and commissioned boats to race their neighbors, the Roosevelts included. Ice racing
needed to go, but taking a trip aboard a paddle wheeled sadly went out of favor when trains, cars, and airplanes took over speed records, but Marist College
steamboat was a diversion in itself. Steamers continued professor Bob Sullivan tells a story in an article written for The Groundhog about FDR’s uncle, John
transporting tourists well into the 20th century. Roosevelt racing a train with his iceboat in 1871. "I don't know if the train engineer
Steam power also fueled Hudson River towing, a big knew about it," Sullivan joked. "He beat the train. They used to go 65 miles
business for most of the 19th century and on into the per hour on the river." If you are feeling adventurous, the Hudson River Ice
20th. Steam tugs started as retired passenger ships, but in Yacht Club still gives out rides. – Photo of FDR iceboating on the Hudson
the second half of the 19th century, dedicated steam River aboard the Hawk, 1905. Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt
towboats developed for pulling boats or barges down the Presidential Library and Museum
long stretches of the river. These are the tugboats that we
know today. The principal towing company, Cornell
Steamboat Company located in Rondout, NY, pulled manuscripts, ledgers and receipts, and historic books as
freight from the 1880s until 1930. well as larger objects such as ship name signs, parts of
If you were to step onto the shore of the Hudson River Hudson River ships, model ships, tools, and materials
in the mid- to late 19th century, you would see a busy relating to Hudson River Valley industries such as
channel filled with maritime commerce. From sloops to brick-making, ice harvesting, bluestone quarrying and
large, fanciful passenger ships to tugs pulling cargo, the carving, boat building, etc.”
river was bustling with activity. The 20th century Clearly, there is a wide variety of Hudson River
brought the decline of sloops and showy steamers, maritime collectibles floating about. Should the history
replacing them with self-propelled freighters and ferries. of the ships in those famous paintings interest you,
Ferries crossed the river and stood in until a series of I encourage you to do some digging of your own.
bridges were constructed in the 1920s and 30s to span the Hudson River specific memorabilia command
river at key points. Today’s river is host to freighters, tugs, respectable prices due to historic import and demand.
guiding pilot boats, a few ferries and pleasure cruise ships, You may well find a story or a ship that calls to you,
and an array of recreational boats. River shipping is not as such as the Mary Powell. The fastest passenger ship on
dominant as it once was, but you can still see large cargo “Whitehalls” were fast rowing boats developed in New York to speed the river for around 55 years, Mary carried General
ships from all over the world navigating the Hudson’s messages, people, and goods short distances around the harbor. Custer’s body to his final resting place at West Point
finicky sandbars. The work was competitive, and rowers raced each other for fun until after his Last Stand, and Walt Whitman wrote in 1878,
The Hudson River Maritime Museum has a page on the demands of spectators made competitions more formal. Rowing “On the Mary Powell, enjoy’d everything beyond
clubs sprang up along the Hudson and have attracted spectators for
its website asking for artifact donations. They gladly precedent ... constantly changing but ever beautiful
decades, and crew ephemera is just as popular. — Photo from the
accept an array of objects relating to the Hudson River. illustrious Poughkeepsie Regatta: “Wisconsin freshmen on Hudson panorama on both sides of the river (went up near a
hundred miles).” No matter your ship of choice,
“These may include ephemera and memorabilia from River,” June 1914, Courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Journal and
Hudson River boats, historic photographs, letters and Shorpy Historic Pictures options for collecting the historic Hudson River extend
far beyond its namesake paintings.
... continued built from 1866-1872, was 1,185 feet long, Grenadier Hat, Unknown maker,
from page 34 five-stories high, and employed 3,100 primarily circa 1750–1775, Wool
female employees—that put the Harmony Gift of Mrs. Victor Morawetz, 1944.96
complex on the map. The Albany area grew During the French and
into a manufacturing center rich in history and Indian War Albany County had
culture as rich investors came, built, and three battalions of militia, one
reaped benefits. from the City of Albany with a
grenadier unit. A soldier in that
unit may have worn this hat, a
The Schuyler Sisters, rare survivor with only a handful
For Example of others known to exist.
Traditionally, the hat is said
The vast collection of to have been a gift from a
Albany Tulip Queen Crown designed by Hajo clothing, accessories, and wounded officer to a resident of
Christoph, made by George Righthand, circa textiles at the Albany Institute Stockbridge, MA, as a symbol of
1949, Brass and copper trimmed with rabbit reflects the lifestyles residents in gratitude. This story might be true, but
fur and ermine Gift of Katherine G. Herrick, 1985.2 the area over time. Its newest there was debate as to whether or not officers wore such hats
into battle or simply wore them for ceremonial purposes.
exhibit, The Schuyler Sisters and Prominent features include the Royal Arms of Great
Their Circle (on view through Britain that is flanked by the lion of England and the unicorn
December 29, 2019), was sparked by of Scotland, the word "Albany" embroidered on the brim,
the recent upsurge in interest in the and a beaver. The beaver may have represented Albany or
Revolutionary War brought out by the even the Province of New York. Altogether, this hat reflects
the larger role that Albany played during a period of intense
musical Hamilton, which prominently
international conflict.
features the three eldest Schuyler daughters:
Angelica Schuyler Church, Elizabeth Schuyler
Hamilton, and Margaret (Peggy) Schuyler
Van Rensselaer. According to the Institute, Center left: Fire Screen, Albany, 1792, Mahogany
“The exhibition will use clothing, decorative with satin wood inlay, embroidered silk and
arts, portraits, and manuscripts from the
Revolutionary Period to the Federal Period embossed leather Gift of Keith S. McHugh, 1970.1.2 a and b
to tell the stories of the Schuyler women.
… Twenty-six public and private Eliza Sanders of Scotia, New York, stitched two fire screens
institutions and individuals have in 1792, one showing the eastern hemisphere and the other the
western. This type of needlework was commonly done in girls’
lent their treasures to this
Installation of 3 dresses ranging in date from exhibition. For the first time, finishing schools, and demonstrates that young girls frequently
circa 1795 to 1805 all part of the collection of objects associated with the learned their geography with needle and thread.
The slender poles with urn finials and shield-shaped screens
The
the Albany Institute. In the exhibition Schuyler sisters will be brought with inlaid fans are characteristic of the Federal Style. The
Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle on view now together in their hometown and displayed in stands may be English but Eliza carefully stitched her designs in
until December 29, 2019. the museum’s second-floor galleries.” the comfort of her family home along the Mohawk River.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
36
