STUYVESANT – Two hundred years ago the Town of Stuyvesant didn’t exist. The hamlets of Glencadia, Sunnyside, Nutinhoeck and Poelsburgh were all part of the larger community of Kinderhook. On April 21, 1823 an act of New York State legislation divided the Town of Kinderhook and the new Town of Stuyvesant was born.
Medad Butler, a community leader and postmaster, was an admirer of the former governor of New Netherlands Peter Stuyvesant. Mr. Butler procured the essential authority to use the governor’s name for the town and villages of Stuyvesant Landing and Stuyvesant Falls.
At its inception, the rural community had the benefits of access to the Hudson River’s trade and transportation, the power generated by two natural falls on Kinderhook Creek in former Glencadia, and extensive farmland. In the 200 years since its creation, Stuyvesant has supported numerous industries and businesses: brick making, a stove foundry, ice harvesting, a variety of mills, railroads, hotels, a bicycle emporium and an island amusement park.
On Saturday April 22 the Town of Stuyvesant is hosting its birthday party from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive. It is the first of four events to celebrate Stuyvesant’s Bicentennial. There will be birthday cake, a video history, and many artifacts on display.
Two notable artifacts are portraits of Medad and Hannah (Tylee) Butler on loan from the Columbia County Historical Society. The influential couple are the parents of Benjamin F. Butler, an accomplished native son. All are welcome to attend.
On Saturday, July 1 there will be a gathering at the Stuyvesant Falls Sandbar, a beach park below the third falls. The focus of the day is how the falls and water power helped the town prosper with photos of the amusement park.
In the fall, on September 16, the celebration continues at the Stuyvesant Landing Playground. Farms in the community are highlighted and local organizations will be on hand to share present happenings and possibilities for future of the town.
And on December 2, festivities conclude at the Railroad Depot. Attention is paid to the history of the railroad, brickyards, and ice harvest.
The Bicentennial History Committee hopes everyone will attend and share in the celebration.
