Senator Schumer Presents Ideas for Saving Fishkill Supply Depot
They were the first American Patriots. They stood in battle against the greatest military power the world had ever seen. They suffered unimaginable hardships, including near starvation, epidemics of incurable diseases, infestations of lice, and even lack of clothes and firewood in the face of frigid New York winters. By the hundreds they died in the cause of freedom and liberty. More than 230 years later, they lay in unmarked graves, forgotten by most.
The Fishkill Depot graveyard was rediscovered by archaeologists in 2007 and 2008, along with associated building ruins and archaeological deposits. Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer has proposed changes to Federal battlefield legislation that would make it possible to finally preserve, protect, and memorialize this final resting place of hundreds of Continental Army soldiers.
Senator Chuck Schumer presents a plan to extend historic protection to the Fishkill Supply Depot National Register District, other Revolutionary War Sites, and sites from the War of 1812. Schumer is flanked by Town of Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagonis on the right and Mara Farrel of Fishkill Historical Focus on the left.
New York State historic preservation leader J. Winthrop “Wint” Aldrich addressed an appreciative audience at the Schumer press conference at the Van Wyck Homestead on Route 9 in Fishkill.
Town of Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagonis spoke about the rich Revolutionary War history of Fishkill and the Hudson Valley. Senator Schumer is to her left, while members of the 2nd NY, and Fishkill Depot property owner Dominic Broccoli are on the right.
Links to a few additional Fishkill Supply Depot preservation articles:
Posting & photos by Bill Sandy
Posts
The Fishkill Historical Focus website is a wide ranging source of information on the Supply Depot Site.
ReplyDeleteBill Sandy
July 5,2007
ReplyDeleteThis story has gone National, with an AP story in most papers, Yahoo, and USA Today.
Bill Sandy
Nice followup article featuring Bill Sandy in the Sunday Record, 2009-11-15:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/ycq98um
Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones deserves no credit. She allowed the Hess Gas station to be built on the burial gorund. The real hero is Mara Farrell, who saved the site and spoke at the U.S Senate chambers to recognize the site.
ReplyDeleteFishkill Woman to recieve Martha Washington Woman of History Award
Newburgh, NY … February 3, 2011) Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site announced that this year’s recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award is community activist, Mara Farrell.
Ms. Farrell, owner of Mara Farrell Communications, a Beacon-based public relations and marketing firm, was the co-founder of the historic preservation advocacy group, Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot. The non-profit advocacy organization is committed to permanent preservation, stringent archeological review, and protection of the historic lands comprising the Fishkill Supply Depot, which is listed on the National Register.
http://ozzyalbra.blogspot.com/2011/02/fishkill-woman-to-recieve-martha.html