Putnam County

Historian

Mission Statement

Welcome to the Putnam County Historian’s Office and Archives! We are located in Brewster, New York, in the lower Hudson River Valley region.

Our local government office preserves, interprets, and promotes the history of Putnam County. New York’s Town and Village Historians have been serving public history since 1919, in part to document World War I Veterans back into civilian life.

Contact the

Putnam County Historian

Office | 845.808.1420
Fax | 845.278.4865
Email | Send us a message
Address | 68 Marvin Ave. Brewster, NY 10509

Jennifer Cassidy

County Historian

Sallie Sypher

Deputy County Historian

County Historian

Services Offered

Boundary Changes

See how Putnam County's boundaries changed starting from 1683 to present day!

Historian's Collection

Putnam County Historians have been collecting primary material since the 1950s to preserve Putnam’s past for future generations. The papers in the Collection have been arranged and described. The Historian’s Office welcomes the donation of private papers, maps, and photographs that shed light on the County’s past, as well as the gift of collections relating to contemporary subjects to be preserved for future generations.

Historical Displays

Display panels relating to Putnam County’s history have been developed by the Putnam County Historian’s Office since 1991. They may be borrowed by schools, historical societies, museums, and civic groups. Each panel is 40″ X 30″ and mounted vertically. They are framed and under Plexiglas. Most have wires for hanging them (or you may attach wires) or they may be propped against a wall or a chalkboard. It is sometimes possible to borrow the bases on which you may mount four panels at a time, “kiosk” style. The exhibits may be inspected at the Historian’s Office to see if they suit your purposes. Please call ahead if you want to see them.

Library

The County Historian maintains a reference library of state, regional, local and family history, consisting of histories and biographies, reference works, and printed collections of historical documents. The library materials are for reference only and may not be loaned.

Old House Program

A program to research, recognize, and mark old houses & structures in Putnam County is Sponsored by The Office of the Putnam County Historian & The Putnam County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

Purpose of Program

Many of us, especially those who have moved toPutnamCountyfrom somewhere else, drive past old houses and wonder how old they are or who lived there before our day. In other communities, we often see signs on houses that mark the names of the first owners or the approximate date of constructio

Putnam in the Pandemic

Putnam Past

Putnam’s Origins, 1691-1776
When the Half Moon anchored in the Hudson in 1609, the area on the east bank was inhabited by a band of Native Americans called the Wappingers, sometimes known as the “River Indians”. This group of Munsee-speaking Delawares farmed in the valleys, hunted in the forests and swamps, and gathered shellfish in the Hudson estuary in the land that would become Putnam County. No European settlements are known to have occurred here during the 17th century, but the Wappingers had regular contact with Dutch traders from whom they acquired trade goods in return for beaver pelts. They also acquired disease, alcohol, and firearms, decimating their people.

Town & Villages

Archival and documentary sources in the county are often to be found in its towns and villages. Vital records (births, marriages and deaths) have been kept in the offices of the town and village clerks who are the records management officers (RMOs) of their municipalities.

Each local government has a local government historian who may be contacted if you have questions about his or her town or village.

If you are interested in a particular town or village, click on the municipality to learn about the RMOs, the municipal historians, the local historical societies and museums, and the local libraries.

Remembering Dorothy Jewell A Woman of Cause and Community - Historian

During Women’s History Month we take out some time to remember Dorthy Jewell who helped create a local history legacy. Dorothy Grant Jewell (1915-1997), daughter of Willitt C. and Frances Grant Je...

Staff

Historian: Jennifer Cassidy

Deputy Historian: Sallie Sypher*

The County Historian’s Office and the Archives are staffed by part-time personnel and volunteers:

Research/clerical assistants:
LaReva Greene
Dana Veitinger

Volunteers:
Juliet Aguiar
Elizabeth Allison*
Michele Calson

We welcome volunteers to work with the archives, the library, the maps and photographs and to assist in research. Call the office if you are interested.

Hours & facilities

The Historian’s Office is open to the public for research Monday through Wednesday, 10 am – 2 pm, by appointment only and except legal holidays. Call or email for appointments or details.

The public is invited to use the Archives, Library, and Collection, weekdays by pre-arrangement. Those wishing to do research are asked always to notify the County Historian’s Office in advance of their visit.

Facilities Available:

There is no charge for using the Library, Collection and County Archives. Parking is free.

A computer is available for public use for searching the databases and for note taking. There is no charge. Researchers may photograph records without charge.

Fees are charged for photocopying, ranging from 20¢ to 40¢ per page, depending on paper size.
There is a $5.00 charge for scanning photos. The charge for multiple scans will depend on how complicated the project is and how much staff time is required.

There is a microfilm-reader printer. Photocopies of microfilm are 40¢ each.

The Office, Library and restroom are accessible to the disabled.

Travel Directions

Bike Path

Boundary Changes

Over the years, the boundaries and names of Putnam County and of its political subdivisions changed frequently.

1683 Civil Divisions of Dutchess County formed by Colonial Legislature

1697 Philipse Patent granted to Adolph Philipse

1719 Dutchess County divided into 3 “divisions” called “wards”

1731 Thomas Hawley and others receive patent for The Oblong

1737 Area styled “South Precinct” by Colonial Assembly

1754 Patent divided into 9 lots after death of Adolph Philipse

1772 Precinct divided into Southeast, Philips, and Fredericksburgh Precincts

1778 Precincts become towns

1795 Act to divide Frederickstown and Southeast Town into towns of Carmel, Frederick, Franklin, and Southeast

1806 Fishkill annexes northwest corner of Philipstown

1808 Name of Franklin changed to Patterson

1812 Act to divide Dutchess County, creating Putnam County

1817 Name of Frederick changed to Kent

1839 Philipstown divided, and Town of Quincy created

1840 Name of Quincy changed to Putnam Valley

1861 Part of Carmel west of Peekskill Hollow Creek annexed by Putnam Valley

1879 Northwestern Philipstown ceded to Kent

Historians Collection

Archives Catalogue

Click to Download the PDF

Historian's Collection

Click to Download the PDF

Historical Records

The Historic Document Collection encompasses a variety of subjects including iron mining, smelting and forging, Drew Seminary, cattle drovers, menageries and the early circus, civic and fraternal organizations, county politics, local businesses, and family history.

Map Collections

There is an indexed map collection containing original and copied maps dating from the late 18th century to the present day. The map collection is especially useful for anyone engaged in research in –

county history
family and house histories
environmental assessments
railroad and transportation history
iron mining history

Three 19th century maps are particularly useful because they show property owners and because there are some detailed insets of villages and hamlets. Paper copies of the Beers 1867 town maps are available for sale. There are scans in sections of the1854 O’Connor map and the 1876 Reed map and of the individual towns and villages in the 1867 Beers map.

Oral History Videos

- Tapes that were created by or for Putnam County government agencies
- Tapes that were created by professional or amateur filmmakers or videographers relating to or documenting Putnam County.
- Tapes, usually of nationally broadcast programs, in which Putnam County plays an important role.
- Tapes that were created to be shown on local cable networks
  Oral Histories. The Historian’s Office has a collection of oral histories on audio and video tapes. They are not loaned but may be heard or viewed in the Office. Of particular interest are
  - Interviews with “old timers” from Kent and Southeast
  - Interviews with people who have held political, judicial or administrative offices.
  - Interviews (ongoing) with World War II veterans from Putnam County about their experiences
  Tapes about Putnam County
  
  There is a collection of audio and videotapes relating to Putnam County history.
  - Tapes that were created by or for Putnam County government agencies
  - Tapes that were created by professional or amateur filmmakers or videographers relating to or documenting Putnam County.
  - Tapes, usually of nationally broadcast programs, in which Putnam County plays an important role.
  - Tapes that were created to be shown on local cable networks

Photographs

There is a fully indexed collection of photographs, slides, and postcards that document the County’s past and present.

Of particular interest are –

Photographs taken by Willitt C. Jewell, editor of The Putnam County Courier from the 1920s through the 1960s
Photographs taken by staff photographers of the weekly Patent Trader dating from the 1950s to 1980s.
Photos taken by Allison Albee in the 1930s.
Detailed aerial photographs of the county taken for county planners in 1933, 1963, and 1986.
A large collection of postcards, mostly from the first years of the 20th century, donated by Mr. and Mrs. David Tischler.

The Office has the capability of scanning and printing high quality reproductions of the photographs, which may be published with permission or scanned and e-mailed to researchers for a fee.

Pamphlets & Booklets

The County Historian has an indexed collection of pamphlets, annuals, commemorative journals and booklets published for –

Organizations
political parties
businesses
churches
veterans’ organizations
tourism
volunteer services
newcomers
chambers of commerce
anniversaries

Historical Displays

Display panels relating to Putnam County’s history have been developed by the Putnam County Historian’s Office since 1991. They may be borrowed by schools, historical societies, museums, and civic groups. Each panel is 40″ X 30″ and mounted vertically. They are framed and under Plexiglas. Most have wires for hanging them (or you may attach wires) or they may be propped against a wall or a chalkboard. The exhibits may be inspected at the Historian’s Office to see if they suit your purposes. Please call ahead if you want to see them.

There is no charge for borrowing the panels. The borrower is responsible for transporting the panels to the exhibit site and for returning them to the Historian’s Office in good condition by the promised return date. Persons wishing to borrow the panels should schedule their use with the County Historian’s Office at (845) 808-1420 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Subjects of Displays

Library

Books and Reference

Of special interest are –

Histories of Putnam County and its towns
Published town, church & cemetery records
Printed guides to other archives
Bibliographies
Biographies of Putnam County people
Gazetteers from 1814
State census statistics 1835-1885
Books and articles about Native Americans
Federal census schedules, many indexed
Records of Board of Supervisors
Records of Putnam County Legislature
History encyclopedias

Genealogy and Family History

The Library is rich in family history resources. Beside the vertical family files, there is a great variety of primary and secondary material useful for searching one’s family’s past. Some of the more important sources and guides follow:

Censuses. We hold on microfilm all of the Federal censuses schedules for Putnam County from 1790 to 1930. Indexed paper copies of many censuses prepared by Glendon E. Wheeler are also available. The 1915 and 1925 NYS censuses for the county and the 1845 state census for Kent and Philipstown are here as well.
Records in the County Archives such as probate records, deeds, and court records. (see County Archives for more relevant series)
There is a master database of more than 125,000 entries that point to names found in records held in the Archives (deeds, wills, court cases, etc.) and in the non-governmental records in the Historian’s Collection.
Lineage Books 2-166 of the Daughters of the American Revolution have been deposited here by the DAR for public use.
Cemetery records for Putnam County and adjoining towns
Published and unpublished church records
Information on individual families’ histories found in the vertical files and in published and unpublished genealogies

Newspapers and Periodicals

Newspapers

The Library holds the following newspapers (M=microfilm):

The Cold Spring Recorder, 1867-1935 (M)
The Community Current, 1984-1990 (gaps)
The Patterson Weekly News, 1901-1918 (M) & bound copies
The Putnam County Courier, 1851-1972 (gaps)
The Putnam County Democrat, 1849-1851
The Putnam County News and Recorder, 1950-1999 (M)
The Putnam County Republican, 1882-1946 (many gaps)(M)
The “morgue” of articles relating to Putnam County from The Patent Trader (partially indexed) 1956-1988

Periodicals:

The County Historian’s Office subscribes to

CRM and Common Ground
Heritage
Historic Preservation
New York Archives
New York History
The Hudson River Valley Review (formerly the Hudson Valley Regional Review)
The New-York Journal of American History

In addition, it maintains some past runs (incomplete) of

The Dutchess County Yearbooks
The Nimham Times
The NY Genealogical and Biographical Record
The Westchester Historian

Vertical Files

The Library has vertical files on a variety of subjects. They consist primarily of newspaper clippings, dating from the mid 19th century to the present. Some of the most important categories are:

Genealogy files – individual family histories, most submitted by various genealogical researchers and some developed by Archives staff
Sites & structures – information on buildings and places of historic interest in the county Churches & places of worship, including some church records
Issues in county, town, and village government
Planning, zoning and environmental issues
Open space preservation
People important in Putnam’s past, e.g. Sybil Ludington, Enoch Crosby, James Kent, et al.
Schools – rural schools in history and today’s central school districts
Local business and trades
Farming
Iron mining, smelting, and casting
New York City reservoirs

Old House Program

Putnam in the Pandemic

The Putnam County Historian’s Office is seeking the public’s help to chronicle “Putnam in the Pandemic”, stories and images that document the extraordinary conditions we have lived through during COVID-19. Please use this form to contribute your story.

For those unable to submit online, oral history recordings may be arranged by contacting the Historian’s Office. For further information or questions, please call the Historian’s Office at 845-808-1420 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Putnams Past

Town & Village Links

Each local government has a local government historian who may be contacted if you have questions about his or her town or village.

Village of Nelsonville

VILLAGE HISTORIAN:
Michael Bowman
244 Main Street
Cold Spring NY 10516
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Village Clerk: Mlissa Harris
258 Main Street, Cold Spring NY 10516
(845) 265-2500 FAX (845) 265-2351
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: http://www.villageofnelsonville.org

PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM
63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring NY 10516.
(845) 265-4010
FAX: (845)265-2884
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: www.putnamhistorymuseum.org
Executive Director: Cassie Ward

BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY;
10 Morris Ave., Cold Spring NY 10516.
Tel: (845) 265-3040. FAX: (845) 265-4852.
E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website : www.butterfieldlibrary.org

Town of Philipstown

TOWN HISTORIAN:
Mark Forlow
21 Lake Surprise Road, Cold Spring NY 10516
(914) 548-8411
E-mail: mjmforlowoptonline.net

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Town Clerk Tara K. Percacciolo
Townhall
238 Mainstreet
Cold Spring NY 10516
(845) 265-3329; FAX: (845) 265-3958
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM
63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring NY 10516.
(845) 265-4010 FAX: (845)265-2884
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
web site: www.putnamhistorymuseum.org
Executive Director: Cassie Ward

BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY:
10 Morris Ave., Cold Spring NY 10516.
Tel: (845) 265-3040. FAX: (845) 265-4852.
E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website : www.butterfieldlibrary.org.

ALICE DESMOND & HAMILTON FISH LIBRARY:
472 Route 403, PO Box 266, Garrison NY 10524.
Tel: (845) 434-3020. FAX : (845) 424-4061.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.desmondfishlibrary.org

Town of Carmel

TOWN HISTORIAN:
Alicia Briley
Carmel Town Hall
60 McAlpin Ave
Mahopac NY 10541
(845)628-1500
Fax (845)628-7434
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Town Clerk: Alice Daly
60 McAlpin Avenue, Mahopac NY 10541
Tel: (845) 628-1500 FAX (845) 628-7434
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TOWN OF CARMEL HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
P.O. Box 456, Mahopac NY 10541-0808
Tel. (845) 628-0500.
President: Alicia Briley
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MAHOPAC PUBLIC LIBRARY:
668 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541.
Tel: (845) 628-2009. FAX: (845) 628-0672. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.mahopaclibrary.org.

REED MEMORIAL LIBRARY:
1733 Route 6, Carmel NY 10512.
Tel: (845) 225-2439. FAX: (845) 225-1634.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: Reed Library

Village of Cold Spring

VILLAGE HISTORIAN:
Mark Forlow
21 Surprise Lake Rd, Cold Spring NY 10516
(914) 548-8411
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Village Clerk: Jeff Vidakovich
87 Main Street
Cold Spring NY 10516
(845) 265-3611 FAX: (845) 265-1002
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM:
63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring NY 10516.
(845) 265-4010 FAX: (845)265-2884
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: www.PutnamHistoryMuseum.org
Executive Director: Cassie Ward

BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY:
10 Morris Ave., Cold Spring NY 10516
Tel: (845) 265-3040. FAX: (845) 265-4852.
E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website : www.butterfieldlibrary.org

Village of Brewster

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Village Clerk Michelle Diebold
208 East Main Street, Brewster NY 10509
(845) 279-3760
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SOUTHEAST MUSEUM,
67 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509
(845) 279-7500 FAX (845)279-1992
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: http://www.southeastmuseum.org
Executive Director:

BREWSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY,
79 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509.
Tel: (845) 279-6421. FAX: (845) 279-0043
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.brewsterlibrary.org

Town of Kent

TOWN HISTORIAN:
J. S. Rohrig
25 Sybil’s Crossing, Kent Lakes NY 10512.
Tel: (845) 306-5589
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Town Clerk: Yolanda D. Cappelli
Kent Town Hall
25 Sybil’s Crossing, Kent Lakes NY 10512
Tel.: (845) 225-2067 FAX: (845) 225-5130
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

KENT HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
President: Cark Darling
PO Box 123 Carmel, New York 10512
Tel: (845) 225-8366
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

KENT PUBLIC LIBRARY:
17 Sybil’s Crossing, Kent Lakes NY 10512. Tel: (845) 225-8585. FAX: (845) 225-8549
E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Website : www.kentlibrary.org.

Patterson

TOWN HISTORIAN:
Dr. Larry A. Maxwell
595 Route 311, Patterson NY 12563
Tel.: (845) 878-4160
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Town Clerk: Donna Ramos
1142 Route 311, P.O. Box 470
Patterson NY 12563
(845) 878-6500 FAX (845) 6343
E:mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PATTERSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
P.O. Box 534, Patterson, NY 12563.
www.pattersonhistoricalsociety.org
President: Ron Taylor
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.pattersonhistoricalsociety.org

PATTERSON PUBLIC LIBRARY:
P.O. Box 418, 1167 Route 311
Patterson NY 12563.
Tel : (845) 878-6121. FAX : (845) 878-3116.
Website : www.pattersonlibrary.org

Town of Putnam Valley

TOWN HISTORIAN:
Daniel T. Ricci
265 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley NY 10579 Tel: (845) 526-2121
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Kathy Diomede, Interm Town Clerk
265 Oscawana Lake Road
Putnam Valley NY 10579
Tel.: (845) 526-3280 FAX: (845) 526-2130
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PUTNAM VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
301 Peekskill Hollow Road, P.O. Box 297, Putnam Valley NY 10579
Tel: (845) 528-1024
Executive Director: Gretchen Weiglein
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PUTNAM VALLEY FREE LIBRARY:
P.O. Box 425, 30 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley NY 10579
Tel: (845) 528-3242 ; FAX: (845) 528-3297
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website : www.putnamvalleylibrary.org.

Town of Southeast

TOWN HISTORIAN:
John Alcot
Town of Souteast
1360 Route 22
Brewster NY 10509
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
Town Clerk Kathleen Chiudina
P.O. Box O. Brewster NY 10509
(845) 279-2196 FAX (945) 279-4399
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SOUTHEAST MUSEUM
67 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509
(845) 279-7500 FAX (845)279-1992
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: http://www.southeastmuseum.org
Executive Director:

BREWSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
79 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509.
Tel: (845) 279-6421. FAX: (845) 279-0043
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website : www.brewsterlibrary.org.

Welcome to the Putnam County Government Department Directory

Hours of Operation

Welcome to the Putnam County Government Department Directory

Hours of Operation

Historian

Mission Statement

Contact the Putnam County Historian

County Historian

Services Offered

News

Remembering Dorothy Jewell A Woman of Cause and Community - Historian

About

Staff

Hours & facilities

Travel Directions

Bike Path

Popular Searches for County Historian:

Boundary Changes

Historians Collection

Archives Catalogue

Historian's Collection

Historical Records

Map Collections

Oral History Videos

Photographs

Pamphlets & Booklets

Historical Displays

Subjects of Displays

Library

Books and Reference

Genealogy and Family History

Newspapers and Periodicals

Vertical Files

Old House Program

Putnam in the Pandemic

Putnams Past

Town & Village Links

Village of Nelsonville

Town of Philipstown

Town of Carmel

Village of Cold Spring

Village of Brewster

Town of Kent

Patterson

Town of Putnam Valley

Town of Southeast

Contact the

Putnam County Historian