Preserving history, one barn at a time

There seems to be no shortage of rural scenes when driving around the Hudson Valley, but that’s not going to be true forever. In fact, the farms and barns that dot the countryside are fast disappearing, due to their age and condition coupled with the inevitable development overtaking many areas.

That’s why North East Historical Society President Ralph Fedele has decided to spearhead a project that will serve as something of a database of all of Dutchess County’s farms and barns — but he needs help to do a thorough job. Fedele has made a plea to residents throughout the county, and especially those living right here in the Harlem Valley, to help catalog and document farms and former farm buildings located in the area. The information will be integrated into the historical society’s archives, and, if all goes according to plan, ultimately developed into a book documenting the agricultural history of the region.

It’s an ambitious project, but one that would be of huge benefit to the area. Not only would it record the historical data, but it would also help cement this area’s roots in its farming past. And if there’s ever somebody who could organize and run a project of such enormity, that somebody is Ralph Fedele.

Fedele has single-handedly energized the historical society and gotten it up and running after it had fallen into a slow and steady decline. He’s on top of the group’s meetings, special presentations and its projects, including moving the old Irondale Schoolhouse from its Route 22 location to the Main Street Millerton trail head of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Where he finds his energy, it’s hard to say. We’re just glad he’s out there doing what he’s doing for the community’s benefit. This project is just one more example of his determination to put Millerton and North East on the map, and in the history books, for all to learn from.

This project is a great idea, and we urge anyone who can to participate. Whether you’re a farmer, property owner or simply a history buff who knows the area well, think about getting involved. Contact the North East Historical Society at PO Box 727, Millerton, NY 12546, or by phone at 518-789-4619. (For more, read this week’s story on Page A3.)

Without recording this type of information, it will soon be lost, and that would be a real shame.  After all, it’s the farms and barns of yesterday that helped make the Harlem Valley as pastoral and picturesque as it is today.

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