Last updated: 7/2/2012
19 Winkler PlaceChester, NY 10918
47 Main Street2nd FloorChester, NY 10918
May through October
Tours for schools and local groups by appointment. Street address is 19 Winkler Place, Chester, NY 10918
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Clifton Patrick
phone: 845-469-7645
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James K. Polk was president of the United States; the Mexican War was in the making and the rails of the Erie Railroad had been in use but two years when on August 23, 1845 a few residents of this agricultural community met together and organized a bank to provide for the financial needs of the growing hamlet.
CHESTER, located as it is on the Kings Highway between New Windsor and North Jersey, is in the course traveled by the earliest settlers. Chester naturally is proud of the fact that the noble George Washington was entertained at its public inn on his way from Philadelphia to join the main army at the Hudson River on July 27, 1782, as is recorded in General Washington’s expense account filed in Washington, D. C.
The Kings Highway, running from New Windsor to North Jersey, passed along side of the Yelverton Inn. According to the survey on file in the County Clerk’s Office, this highway was laid out in 1735, during the reign of George II of England. The survey reads in part: “At the request of Benjamin Aske and others a certain Kings road of forty rods wide was laid out on Nov. 20, 1735.”
Promote the rich heritage of the Village and Town of Chester, New York through the restoration and preservation of its historical places, documents and recordings of oral history. Provide educational programs for school children, community organizations and all those individuals interested in local folklore and history. Exhibit collections of artifacts, pictures, newspapers and recorded oral histories to the general public.
April 24, 1834, Jeremiah Pierson, who owned and operated several mines and mills in the Ramapos, had the foresight to persuade the New York legislature to authorize the construction of the New York and Erie Railroad. Construction started at Piermont on the Hudson with the final destination point as Dunkirk on Lake Erie. This gave Pierson an advantage in distributing his products.
In 1841 the first official station on the line was built here in Chester. It was an isolated structure in a wilderness landscape along the tracks that eventually became the focus for the village that grew around it. Chester and Goshen were the first stations on the Erie to have full time agents. On September 23, 1841, the first Erie passenger train made its scheduled stop at Chester
The Chester Historical Society holds its monthly meetings at the museum and space is available to local groups. It is handicapped accessible. Annual events held at the museum include: the Chester Historical Society's annual yard sale fundraiser, the community tree lighting celebrating the holidays with the museum open for special exhibitions. With its location on the Heritage Trail, several charity walks/runs utilize the museum's hospitality yearly.
Local historical, farming and railroading items.
Documents, photos, clippings, etc. related to Chester, Orange County, NY.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: Yes
Newsletter, four times a year.
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