"Col. Trumbull's acct. of expenses July 1782...[Breakfast] at Warwick 0.9--- Endorsed by George Washington... Major--Walkers---acct. of exps---July 1782 * Bairds 2.19.6...Endorsed by George Washington"
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Blacksmithing Classes at the Hasbrouck Carriage House Behind Baird's Tavern on August 11 &12, 2012, additional classes available on August 13 & 14 for an additional $50 each day.
$325, includes use of tools and metal materials
This class will be taught by our returning Maine Blacksmith Adriaan Gerber who will be sharing his trade with Summer History Campers during the preceeding week. As a follow-up to our recent beginning blacksmithing class we are offering this weekend, 16 hour class, 8-hours each day, in the making of edge tools.
Adriaan makes high quality knives, swords, halberds and other edge tools in his Maine smithy and sells them around the world. Now he will be sharing his know-how with you in this class that will result in the completion of a tomahawk ( you can even make a handle for it if you would like to devote the time to it at a shaving horse), a knife, and another project depending on time. A draw knife or slick are two possibilities.
The course can continue on into the next week for those who are free to do so, and there will be an additional fee of $50 for each day beyond the 2-day course.
The class will involve safety, fire building (we use vintage coal burning forges), heating metal, shaping, cutting, and forge welding. We prefer that students have some blacksmithing experience although it is not mandatory. The class is limited to six so there will be personal attention given by Adriaan and his assistant Robert Schmick to each of the students.
Call: 845-781-3729 or 845-986-3236 or email: rpschmick1@aol.com for information and registration. Please act now if you are serious as the class is limited to six.
Amity Giant Crystals (1874)
A recently shared letter from 1874 regarding local crystal deposits and evidencing the long tradition of collecting these mineral anomalies right here from our backyards in Warwick and other local destinations. Recently, Glenn Rhein shared his collection and his knowledge of these local treasures at the A.W. Buckbee Center, and through a generous donation kids particpating in this year's Historical Society Summer History Camp will participate in a faux "dig" uncovering some samples of these crystals that floresce under a special black light for their very own.
Transcribed by Robert Schmick
I am now convinced that I could spend a month or more in Orange Co. alone with profit, and two months in northern New Jersey. But as it is I must content myself for the present to remain at home. As I have been elected to the professorship of the Natural Sciences in the Penn Yann Academy and will have to attend to business.
I have been corresponding lately with Mr. E. Vansycle [sic] Jr. of Bound Brook, NJ and a few days received a nice box of minerals from him. I shall make of one in return. He sent some which I already possessed, as he had passed over the same part of Sussex we did. He was an assistant in the State Geological Survey of N.J.
I would give considerable just now if I had went to Newton [NJ] with you, and seen your collection then. As it must be very fine for I find Newton laid down as the habitat of great many rare minerals. Among which limestone at Newton both crystallized and massive colour red, brown, yellow, and sometimes nearly black.
This also occurs in Orange Co. a mile south of Edenville, 2 miles east of Warwick and 1 mile east of Amity. Manganise Skar [sic?] is found there. Also at Franklin colour pale rose-red, white streak, occurs in prisms. Corundum [sic]and its varieties and Chrondite. For specimens of these I will give value received.
Transcribed by Robert Schmick
Penn
Yann, New York, July 13, 1874
Mr.
Victor U. Drake, Esq.
Dear
Sir:
Since reaching home I have learned a
great deal about the geology of Orange Co. and its neighbors. I find that I
have but just merely touched upon a few localities of geological and
mineralogical interest. If I had thought of making the trip we did or if I had
anticipated geologizing at all, I would have read up most thoroughly. I am now convinced that I could spend a month or more in Orange Co. alone with profit, and two months in northern New Jersey. But as it is I must content myself for the present to remain at home. As I have been elected to the professorship of the Natural Sciences in the Penn Yann Academy and will have to attend to business.
I have been corresponding lately with Mr. E. Vansycle [sic] Jr. of Bound Brook, NJ and a few days received a nice box of minerals from him. I shall make of one in return. He sent some which I already possessed, as he had passed over the same part of Sussex we did. He was an assistant in the State Geological Survey of N.J.
I would give considerable just now if I had went to Newton [NJ] with you, and seen your collection then. As it must be very fine for I find Newton laid down as the habitat of great many rare minerals. Among which limestone at Newton both crystallized and massive colour red, brown, yellow, and sometimes nearly black.
This also occurs in Orange Co. a mile south of Edenville, 2 miles east of Warwick and 1 mile east of Amity. Manganise Skar [sic?] is found there. Also at Franklin colour pale rose-red, white streak, occurs in prisms. Corundum [sic]and its varieties and Chrondite. For specimens of these I will give value received.
If I can possibly procure them. Below I have
made out a small list of minerals, with some of their characteristics, and
localities given, (all of which are found in Orange Co. as you will observe)
which I would like to procure specimens of. And several of a kind when
possible. And will you give “Value received” for them in whatever you choose if
you can furnish all or a part.
Before naming the species I will make a proposition viz. I will get you up a splendid collection of insects nicely preserved, correctly named with both the scientific and common name and neatly mounted in glass cases resembling books. Similar to those in the cabinet at Albany putting up 5 species of insects for every one of every district of species of mineral sent to duplicates to be among the insects.
Or I will send you a perfect collection of plants on the same basis. The plants to be neatly mounted upon 11 ½ x 14” heavy toned paper with ornamental label attached giving both the common and propor name and place of growth take your choice between having American or foreign species. We have them from all parts of the known world.
Or if you like---choose a mixture of insects and plants. Or I will pay money down. If you know anything about me you know that I will do the “square thing” by you. I append the list sphere. Best locality ---Duck Cedar pond in the Town of Monroe where it occurs in great abundance and in crystals of large size in the primitive limestone. This mineral also occurs near the outlet of the two ponds, in the same town where it is associated with pyroxene, scapolite and zircon in the white limestone.
The crystals have a dark chocolate brown colour, and are often of considerable size sometimes 2 inches in diameter, occasionally their surface is pitted or striated. It is also found 5 miles south of the Village of Warwick. Ilmite [?], color brownish or iron black. It occurs both massive and crystallized. It slightly affects the magnet. Localities---1 mile South of Amity where it occurs in crystals sometimes 1 inch in diameter imbedded in a dark brown serpentine. A crystal was found near Edenville two inches in length Rutile[?] ( Describes where it occurs in Sussex Co.) locality 1 mile North of Edenville. Two miles East of Warwick and 1 mile East of Amity.
Scorodite. Color generally green crystallized, locally. The farm of Mr. B. Hopkins near Edenville is the only place in the united States where the mineral is found. The farm is one of the most interesting mineral localities in Orange Co.
Before naming the species I will make a proposition viz. I will get you up a splendid collection of insects nicely preserved, correctly named with both the scientific and common name and neatly mounted in glass cases resembling books. Similar to those in the cabinet at Albany putting up 5 species of insects for every one of every district of species of mineral sent to duplicates to be among the insects.
Or I will send you a perfect collection of plants on the same basis. The plants to be neatly mounted upon 11 ½ x 14” heavy toned paper with ornamental label attached giving both the common and propor name and place of growth take your choice between having American or foreign species. We have them from all parts of the known world.
Or if you like---choose a mixture of insects and plants. Or I will pay money down. If you know anything about me you know that I will do the “square thing” by you. I append the list sphere. Best locality ---Duck Cedar pond in the Town of Monroe where it occurs in great abundance and in crystals of large size in the primitive limestone. This mineral also occurs near the outlet of the two ponds, in the same town where it is associated with pyroxene, scapolite and zircon in the white limestone.
The crystals have a dark chocolate brown colour, and are often of considerable size sometimes 2 inches in diameter, occasionally their surface is pitted or striated. It is also found 5 miles south of the Village of Warwick. Ilmite [?], color brownish or iron black. It occurs both massive and crystallized. It slightly affects the magnet. Localities---1 mile South of Amity where it occurs in crystals sometimes 1 inch in diameter imbedded in a dark brown serpentine. A crystal was found near Edenville two inches in length Rutile[?] ( Describes where it occurs in Sussex Co.) locality 1 mile North of Edenville. Two miles East of Warwick and 1 mile East of Amity.
Scorodite. Color generally green crystallized, locally. The farm of Mr. B. Hopkins near Edenville is the only place in the united States where the mineral is found. The farm is one of the most interesting mineral localities in Orange Co.
White Iron Pyrites. The crystallized
variety occurs 2 ½ miles South East of Warwick. Crystals sometimes 1 inch
length in Zirconite. Colors grey, red, white, green, and brown. Crystallized.
It is of frequent occurrence in the Towns of Cornwall, Monroe, and Warwick.
Near the outlet of the two ponds crystals sometimes more than 1 inch in length
are found. On Deer-hill in the Town of Cornwall quite plentifully. 1 mile South
East of Cantebury there is abundance, which is associated with magnetic iron
ore, or white quartz, here the crystals are of a deep greenish red. It is found
also at the southern base of Mt. Eve.
Mica of
various colors, green on the banks of a stream running from Mt. Bashar [?] near
Forshees iron mine in the twon of Monroe, Greenish black near Greenwood furnace.
Silvery variety near Amity.
Bucholzite [?].Color grayish white, with a slight tinge of yellow structure, fibrous, very hard. It occurs with quartz, and Mica near Queensburg forge in Monroe. Also several other localities in the same town.
Bucholzite [?].Color grayish white, with a slight tinge of yellow structure, fibrous, very hard. It occurs with quartz, and Mica near Queensburg forge in Monroe. Also several other localities in the same town.
Tourmaline[sic].
Various colors of this mineral occur in many parts of the Town of Warwick. See
page 5.
Crystallized.
Crystals various in shape. Localities 1 ½ miles North of Edenville. It is grey,
also green. 1 mile North of Edenville it is black. At Rocky hill, black and in
quartz. Crystals 1 inch or more in length have here been found. It is found
also near the Village of Amity in a vein of white limestone.
Epilote.
Color---green. Sometimes black rarely brown or reddish. Also grey. At Bay
Meadows in the Town of Cornwall. There is a locality of massive and somewhat
fibrous Epidote if a some greenish yellow 2 miles south east of Amity. 6 miles
West of warwick crystals and found in quartz. Of a pale yellowish green color.
Feldspar.
Beautiful white at Bay Meadow Pond. At McGee’s hill it is red (Warwick).
Scapolite.
Color. White. In reddish white—At the two ponds (Monroe) there is a remarkable
locality often crystallized form of the very large, one has been found 10
inches in lengths and 5 in diameter. It is found also at Greenwood furnace.
Garnet.
O’Niell's mine town of Monroe. Near Amity. Also 1 ½ miles south west of Amity. It
is found of a carmine colorand occasionally crystallize spinelle. This is found
more abundantly in Orange Co. than in any other part of the world. In the Town
of Monroe, in the Forest of Dean, at the Natural Bridge. Greenwood furnace at
the so called “Silver mine” the black and green varieties are found. 1 mile
south west of Amity it occurs frequently and is remarkable for the size and
variety of its crystals.
They are associated with serpentine Chrondite + Chrichton [sic?] it’s 1 mile North of Amity on the farm of W. Raynor, black spinelle is found in twin Corundum and all its varieties (Crystals have been found at Amity).
They are associated with serpentine Chrondite + Chrichton [sic?] it’s 1 mile North of Amity on the farm of W. Raynor, black spinelle is found in twin Corundum and all its varieties (Crystals have been found at Amity).
Hornblende
crystallized. Green of Florida of black and green colors near the two finds in
white limestone. At the Stirling mines crystallized H of a black green color is
found associated with Almenite and Feldspar. About 1 mile south west of
Queensbury forge there is a massive and cleavable variety of black color. And
high luster. The variety asbestos is found at greenwood furnace also at the
Stirling Forshee and O’Niell iron mines, and many other places in the county.
Pytoxine.
In the town of Monroe there is several localities of this mineral and its
varieties. One of the most noted is the two ponds where it is associated with
scapolite in large crystals, zircon, and sphine in the white limestone. The
color is green yop grayish grteen and brown. Both massive and crystals. It is
found also ½ mile East of Greenwood furnace and 1 mile North west of Edenville
, and may with place Talc. Near Amity with Clintonite.
Boltonite.
In white limestone 2 ½ miles South east of the Monroe works. At the two ponds.
In the Forrest of dean. Always associated with spinelle and hornblende.
Chrondite.
In the white limestone of Warwick serpentine. In the Forrest of Dean , in
Cornwall is yel;low and dark yellowish green found also 2 miles South of Amity
near Antique. Amity. Also east side of Long pond.
Calcedony
and Jasper. 4 miles south of Warwick.
Quartz 2 ½ mile south east of Greenwood Furnace. Here a bed of quartz rises 15
feet over the gneiss in each side. It contains Coccalite. Apatite. ¾ mile from
Edenville in limestone.
Graphite.
In white limestone at Duck Cedar Pond, Monroe.
I would
like also to make arrangements with you to get the fossils about Goshen and
Eastward . I would much like to get a pretty full set. I start for a trip in
Ontario Co. next week with hammer & knapsack for fossils, I understand
there are several such localities in the Co.
In your account of our trip you made quite a mistake in calling our institution at Penn Yann an “University”. It is an Academy. You did well. But I think Mr. Simpson at the Sussex house in the Valley ought to have been mentioned. Please drop me a line soon.
In your account of our trip you made quite a mistake in calling our institution at Penn Yann an “University”. It is an Academy. You did well. But I think Mr. Simpson at the Sussex house in the Valley ought to have been mentioned. Please drop me a line soon.
I remain
Yours Very Respectfully.
Berlin H. Wright
V.M.
Drake Esq.
Friday, July 20, 2012
What's Happening at the Warwick Historical Society?
Warwick Farmers Market on Sunday, July 22, 2012, 9-2
Our blog: historicwarwickny.blogspot.com
The Warwick Historical Society will be at the Warwick Farmers' Market this Sunday presenting living history as well as sharing information about our July and August programs.
We have our 95th Annual George Washington Day Picnic in Lewis Park ( across from the Village Hall) on Saturday, July 28, 6-8PM. This is free, a "potluck" , and open to everyone; please come with your favorite food dish to share. We will have a Civil War living history scenario unfold at the park starting at 4PM until we pack up our picnic baskets at 8PM. Uniformed soldiers from the 15th New York Volunteer Calavry will set up camp replete with camp fires, tents, and saddles to share a bit of life from the War of the Great Rebellion.
On Sunday, July 29, 1-3PM and 4-6PM, and Monday, July 30, 12-2PM and 7-9PM, we will have the First Annual Orange County Silent Film Festival. The film selections can be found on the blog. Adults: $10, Under 12, $5 Per Session, 4 Sessions in All.
We are still taking camper registrations, 8-11 years old, for our Summer History Camp, August 6-10, 9AM-2PM. 5 Days of programming. The camp has a full schedule of history programming. Check out the blog for details. How do I register my child? Email us at: rpschmick1@aol.com, and we will send a registration form via email. You can fill out the registration and return it via email. Tuition: $175 per camper, siblings $150 each. Give us a call at: 845-781-3729 or 845-986-3236.
Specific Summer History Camp Programs:
- Dress-up: Wear a tricorner hat or a bonnet as well as other 18th century appropriate clothing; costumes provided for the history camp experience.
- Minerology: Uncover through digging all kinds of giant crystals that also fluoresce under a black light. See them light up in shades of hot pink, green, blue and yellow! Record your findings as you learn the names of the many unique minerals first discovered between 1828-1832 in Amity, New York. These crystals were collected by people from all over the world, as they sought specimens worthy of their esteemed cabinets of curiosity. The Ecoles des Mines has one of the largest collections in the world of these crystals. Take the treasures you find home with you.
- Sheep Shearing: Experience a real sheep and learn how its fleece is removed by hand! We will also card wool and maybe incorporate it in our felting project.
- Pottery: Coil and slab construction. Decoration with colored slips. Watch a pot being thrown on a potter's wheel.Student projects will be fired off site and made available for pick-up.
- Blacksmithing: Watch a demonstration of a tomahawk being made by a real blacksmith. Handle the tools of blacksmithing. Create a cold metal project using hammer, leg vise, wrench, and an anvil. Choices will include a horseshoe nail ring or a metal bracelet/armband.
- Woodworking: Campers will complete a hands-on project. They will create either a coat rack that will involve using a bit and brace, a hand coping saw, a wooden mallet, and a hand saw or saw slices of a tree log with a two-man saw. The slice of log will then be drilled with a bit and brace and a wooden dowel fitted into the hole to create a free standing paper towel holder.
- Journal Writing: Campers will have many experiences, and they will record them in their sewn journals using a cartridge fountain pen. They will also be instructed on using a nib pen with ink.
- Palaeontogy and Ethnobotany: Kids will do field observations from natural history presentations. Naturalist Gary Keeton will share the recent discovery of the Tuckamoose Creek Mastodon and other long-extinct mammals from the area. Gary helped exhume the second largest tusk ever recovered in New York State, and will share his experience. Kids will become vertebrate palaeontologists and palaeo/ethnobotanists for the day creating field drawings and notes about real sedge grasses, yellow pine needles and the like that remain and were part of life in Warwick 14,000 years ago or more.
- Wild Animals in the Wilds of Warwick: Kids will experience some of the fauna of the region. Pelts and stuffed animals from the region will be a starting point for a talk about how animals were used as a livelihood in the past and how we should treat them now. There will be a hands on element that will include creating a fur pelt from faux fur to take home.
- Mistucky Village, circa 1703: When Benjamin Aske realized the Wawayanda Patent and had local chieftain Choukhass sign on the dotted line there was a thriving, sedentary Lenni-Lenape village in what became "Warwick" in the stroke of a pen. Warwick in England was Aske's own homeplace and became the name of an original farm in our present township. Ken Hamilton, the "Woodlands Interpreter" will recreate a little of that with an authentic camp set up. In costume and character Hamilton, a professional interpreter and historic artifact artist, will share life as it was. He will lead kids in the hands-on creation of wampum and other trade objects for the purpose of an Iroquois dance that everyone will participate in. This is way cool! Parents can experience this too in an evening performance, Tuesday, August 7, 7-8:30 at the A.W. Buckbee Center.
- Shadow Puppet Theatre: Looking to the 18th and 19th century historic homes under the stewardship of the Historical Society and listening to the stories of the people that once inhabited them, kids will create shadow puppets of people, buildings and tools that were integral to Early Life on the Wawayanda Creek. Kids will share their performance at the end of our Friday program for parents.
- Felting: Make a wool felt project. Kids will make felt geodes out of multi-colored felt.
- Sewing: With a piece of natural color wool felt kids will sew a pouch using an overlapping stitch. They will create a button hole and sew a button to clodse this pouch. Suitable as a pencil case or a gift for mom.
- Games and Science Fun! Learn how to play some games from the 18th and 19th centuries. Also learn to use a block and tackle and chain fall to pick up things that weigh 5 times or more of your own weight!
- Candlemaking: Make your own candles the old fashioned way.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
George Washington Picnic Day on July 28 at Lewis Park
Where: Lewis Park off Main Street, Warwick (Across from the Village Hall)
When: Saturday, July 28, 4-8 Living History Scenario,
Civil War; 6-8PM "Potluck" Picnic
Who: Everybody
This Warwick Historical Society annual event is 95 years old! It was founded to commemorate George Washington's visit to Warwick on July 27, 1782. The picnic is open to the public and free. The tradition is that everyone contribute through a "potluck" food contribution. In addition to food and drink that starts at 6PM until 8PM, there will be a living history scenario in the park from 4-8PM. The New York Volunteer Cavalry straight from the Civil War will set up camp; they will talk about their trials and tribulations in the war of the Rebellions replete with saddles, uniforms, and the trappings of a bivouac! See you there!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
95th Annual George Washington Day Picnic in Lewis Park, July 28, 6-8PM, Civil War Living History Program, 4-8PM, Open to the Public
PRESS RELEASE
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Come one, Come all
On Saturday, July 28th the Warwick Historical Society will commemorate the 95th annual George Washington Day Picnic with a Civil War re-enactment. This is free and open to the community.It's a potluck picnic, so do bring grandma's potato salad and anything else you think people might enjoy!
In 1917 the Warwick Historical Society held its first George Washington Day Picnic to celebrate and commemorate the visit of George Washington and his entourage to Warwick’s Baird’s Tavern in 1782.
A meticulous record keeper, George Washington recorded his visit in his journal along with the purchase of some grog at the Baird’s Tavern. A day of activities for the whole family is planned right in the center of the Village of Warwick in Lewis Park on Main Street across from the Village Hall.
The highlight will be a Civil War re-enactment by the 15th New York Cavalry. As a part of George Custer’s division the 15th fought throughout the Shenandoah Valley under the command of Phil Sheridan. They were present at Five Forks, and Appomattox, and participated in the last Cavalry charge of the Civil War. They currently make their home at Hill-Hold Museum in Campbell Hall, New York.
The re-enactment and games will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by the traditional “Pot-luck” picnic until 8 p.m. under the trees in Lewis Park. Bring a covered dish to share! The Historical Society requests that each family bring a covered dish to share, but bring your own drink. There will be tables and chairs available, and bring your own picnic blankets if you prefer and use the park for this wonderful community event.
The Historical Society will provide the paper products and plastic utensils. Join in the fun and games to help us celebrate this historic event.
DETAILS:
WHO: WARWICK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
WHAT: GEORGE WASHINGTON DAY PICNIC
WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2012, 4 – 8 p.m.
WHERE: LEWIS PARK, MAIN STREET, WARWICK.
Warwick Historical Society, A.W. Buckbee Center, 2 Colonial Ave. Warwick, NY, 845-986-3236, whs@warwick.net. Check out: historicwarwickny.blogspot.co or our Facebook: "Warwick Historical Society."
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Come one, Come all
On Saturday, July 28th the Warwick Historical Society will commemorate the 95th annual George Washington Day Picnic with a Civil War re-enactment. This is free and open to the community.It's a potluck picnic, so do bring grandma's potato salad and anything else you think people might enjoy!
In 1917 the Warwick Historical Society held its first George Washington Day Picnic to celebrate and commemorate the visit of George Washington and his entourage to Warwick’s Baird’s Tavern in 1782.
A meticulous record keeper, George Washington recorded his visit in his journal along with the purchase of some grog at the Baird’s Tavern. A day of activities for the whole family is planned right in the center of the Village of Warwick in Lewis Park on Main Street across from the Village Hall.
The highlight will be a Civil War re-enactment by the 15th New York Cavalry. As a part of George Custer’s division the 15th fought throughout the Shenandoah Valley under the command of Phil Sheridan. They were present at Five Forks, and Appomattox, and participated in the last Cavalry charge of the Civil War. They currently make their home at Hill-Hold Museum in Campbell Hall, New York.
The re-enactment and games will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by the traditional “Pot-luck” picnic until 8 p.m. under the trees in Lewis Park. Bring a covered dish to share! The Historical Society requests that each family bring a covered dish to share, but bring your own drink. There will be tables and chairs available, and bring your own picnic blankets if you prefer and use the park for this wonderful community event.
The Historical Society will provide the paper products and plastic utensils. Join in the fun and games to help us celebrate this historic event.
DETAILS:
WHO: WARWICK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
WHAT: GEORGE WASHINGTON DAY PICNIC
WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2012, 4 – 8 p.m.
WHERE: LEWIS PARK, MAIN STREET, WARWICK.
Warwick Historical Society, A.W. Buckbee Center, 2 Colonial Ave. Warwick, NY, 845-986-3236, whs@warwick.net. Check out: historicwarwickny.blogspot.co or our Facebook: "Warwick Historical Society."
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