Highlands Historic Preservation

06/19/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
William Hill (1760-1851) served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia under Col. Henry Ludington. He was the son of the patriot Capt. William Hill, and brother of patriots Noah, Stephen, and Cornelias. He is interred in the Hill Cemetery, located on the Hill-Agor Farm in Mahopac Falls.

06/12/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Robert Shaw (1730-1810) served in the 3rd Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia, receiving a land bounty in return for his service. His brother, James, and son, Joshua, would also serve in the cause. He would use the bounty to purchase the farm on what became known as "Shaw's Hill", and later "California Hill", in Kent.

06/05/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Jeremiah Hopkins (1762-1829), the son of patriot Captain Solomon Hopkins, and nephew of patriot Enoch Crosby, served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia under Col. Henry Ludington. He grew up on his father's farm and inn located on the Cold Spring Turnpike, now Route 301, in Kent. He is interred in the Gilead Cemetery.

05/29/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Col. Henry Ludington (1738-1817) commanded the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia. Previously, he served in the Second Connecticut Regiment during the French and Indian War. Col. Ludington oversaw the fortification of defenses for the Hudson River and West Point, and led the local patriots against the British during the burning of Danbury, CT.

05/22/2026

Advocating the Preservation, Study, and Proper Interpretation of the Fishkill Supply Depot and Encampment

05/22/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Ebenezer Brown (1740-abt 1822) served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia under Col. Henry Ludington. He was the patriarch of the Brown famiy on Mount Nimham, with his farm located on the eastern side of the mountain south of Pine Pond. His mining activities created what became known as "Browns Quarry", with its mine shafts still bearing witness to this day.

05/17/2026

Thanks to the FOFSD and to the Fishkill Town Board for recognizing the existence of this extremely important burial ground!

Route 9 developer sought to stop vote

05/14/2026

Great news! Congratulations to the FOFSD organization for their persistent efforts to protect this important burial ground!

Three cheers to the Town Board for unanimously declaring and dedicating the unmarked site located immediately north of Van Wyck Lake Road at U.S. Route 9 (in Fishkill, NY, pictured below) a Revolutionary War soldiers' burial ground! With the unanimous vote (5-0) cast last night, this official act puts to rest any claims that the parcel contains nothing more than a family plot or loose collection of human remains. Hip hip, huzzah!

05/14/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Captain William Hill (1726-1796) served in both the French and Indian War, and the War of Independence, in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia. He purchased the 245-acre farm in Red Mill (Mahopac Falls), first from the Native people, and then in 1763 from the Philipse family, to resolve their ongoing property dispute with the First People.