Histories Of The Sawkill Through Human Impacts

This workshop traces the evolving relationship between people and the Sawkill Creek from Lenape fishing practices and floodplain agriculture, to European colonists harnessing its waters for the tanning industry, to its role in 20th-century municipal infrastructure. Participants will explore how these shifting uses reflect changing values, including the rise of tourism and its influence on environmental preservation in the region. The program will take place primarily at the Woodstock Historical Society, concluding with a short walk to Tannery Brook to connect these stories to the present-day landscape.

Richard Heppner has served as Woodstock Town Historian since 2001. During this
period, he has also served as a Board member of the Historical Society of Woodstock
and currently serves as its President. In addition to numerous essays for local media,
his most recent book, Woodstock – From World War to Culture Wars (SUNY Press)
was selected as the Foreword INDIES Bronze Award Winner in Popular Culture. In
addition, he is also the author of Woodstock’s Infamous M**der Trial – Early Racism in
Upstate New York and Women of the Catskills. After serving in numerous academic
positions over twenty-five years at Orange County Community College, he retired as
Vice President of Academic Affairs at SUNY Orange and holds the rank of Professor
Emeritus. A graduate of Onteora High School, Heppner received his BA in Political
Science/History from SUNY Albany and an MA from the New School for Social
Research in Media Studies.

Eddie Moran currently serves as the appointed Historian for Ulster County, NY. Eddie graduated with a B.A. in history from SUNY New Paltz in the Spring of 2020, and began work as a tour guide at Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz while still a student in 2017. He managed historical interpretation full-time at Historic Huguenot Street beginning in 2022, and was appointed Ulster County Historian in September 2024. He is a lifelong resident of the Wallkill River Valley.

Photo credits from header and poster:

1. Lenape floodplain agriculture image is fromThe Lenapes, by R. S. Grumet and F. W. Porter, 1989, New York, Chelsea House
2. Images of the Sawkill Creek (1910-1930) from the Historical Society of Woodstock Archives.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Historical Society of Woodstock, 20 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App