History (x)

The Mohican, Munsee Lenape, and Schaghticoke Native American tribes lived in the area we now call Red Hook.

Henry Hudson sails up the Hudson River. Before it was renamed as the Hudson River, the Lenape people used to refer to it as "the river that flows both ways.”

Dutchess County is established. The colonial assembly established the twelve original counties of New York. Dutchess was among them, named after Mary of Modena, then Duchess of York and wife of the future King James II of England.

New York State granted the first license for the Post Road, formally establishing a series of taverns and inns along modern Route 9, some of which still stand today. These include the Elmendorph Inn in Red Hook.

Red Hook separates from Rhinebeck and becomes its own town.

The Red Hook Society for the Apprehension and Detention of Horse Thieves was established. This society was a vigilante group formed to combat horse theft, which was a prevalent crime in rural areas during that time. The society aimed to protect the local community from horse thieves by organizing patrols, maintaining a network of informants, and assisting in the capture and prosecution of horse thieves. The establishment of such societies was common in the early 19th century in response to the need for law enforcement and protection in areas where official law enforcement was limited or nonexistent. The organization still exists today.

According to the last Federal Census before slavery was abolished in NY State, Red Hook had an estimated 177 enslaved people. That's down from 421 enslaved people in 1790.

New York passed the Gradual Emancipation Act, which provided for the eventual freedom of enslaved individuals, with all children born to enslaved parents after July 4, 1799, being legally free.

Hudson River School. Thomas Cole and Frederic Church. Olana (constructed 1870-1872).

Bard College is established.

The Red Hook Hotel burns down in a fire. The hotel was replaced by the gas station.

Leon Botstein becomes the president of Bard College. At age 23, he becomes the youngest college president in history. He still serves as the current president of Bard College.

Chelsea Clinton's wedding takes place in nearby Rhinebeck, NY.

The Hudson Valley is a popular wedding destination. If you look at all the credit card purchases made in Dutchess County in a given year, the category that people collectively spend the most money on is [wedding] flowers in October.

Robert McKeon becomes the Supervisor of the Town of Red Hook. He has been re-elected twice, and remains our supervisor today.

Karen Smythe becomes the Mayor of the Village of Red Hook. She was re-elected, and remains our mayor today.

The New York Times wrote a feature about Red Hook:

After 12 years of service, Kim McGrath steps down as the Executive Director of the Red Hook Chamber of Commerce. Agatha Bacelar becomes the new Executive Director.