Today at the Bronson House

A hundred years ago, the house we now know as the Dr. Oliver Bronson House was in its first year of being part of the New York State Training School for Girls. The last private owners of the house were Elizabeth and Matilda McIntyre. In 1915, a year after Matilda died, Elizabeth sold the house to the State of New York to expand the training school, with the understanding that she could continue to live there during her lifetime. Elizabeth died in 1917. Later in its history, the house would be the residence of the superintendent of the training school, but it 1918 it may have been put to a different use. In 1918, the superintendent of the training school was Hortense V. Bruce, who was a physician. The label accompanying this photograph of the house suggests that in 1918 the house was being used as a "maternity home."

This afternoon, from 1 to 3 p.m., Historic Hudson invites its members--past, present, and future--to the Bronson House for its Annual Meeting and to see the progress that has been made in the house's restoration in 2018 and learn about the plans underway for 2019. These are among the highlights of a visit:

• Explore the historic 1812 kitchen area now accessible for the first time after a recent asbestos removal project made possible by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund for Parks, Preservation & Heritage
• See all the repaired and restored windows newly painted on the exterior, a project made possible by a grant from the E. L. Phillips Foundation
• Check out the newly installed window hardware, made possible with funds from Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation.
• Learn about Historic Hudson's new working relationship with Farrow & Ball, initiated with the donation of paint for the windows
• Meet Kim Konrad Alvarez and Jack Alvarez of Landmark Consulting, the architectural firm that has been hired, after an extensive selection process, to oversee Phase III of the Bronson House restoration

If you have never seen the Dr. Oliver Bronson House, haven't seen it in a while, or can't see it often enough, plan to visit this afternoon. Hot cider and snacks will be provided to ward off the November chill. 

The National Historic Landmark Bronson House is located on the grounds of the Hudson Correctional Facility. Enter the grounds from Worth Avenue. 
COPYRIGHT 2018 CAROLE OSTERINK