LibGuides: Local History: Home

About

Our local history collection contains circulating and non-circulating items focused on the people, events and institutions that have shaped the Village of Washingtonville and the Town of Blooming Grove. Our collection also contains materials relevant to the surrounding areas of Orange, Ulster and Dutchess Counties in addition to the greater Hudson Valley. Visitors can access our circulating collection during operating hours. Due to staffing, requests to view non-circulating materials must be made at least 48 hours in advance.

Historic Images of Washingtonville

Contact

Matthew Thorenz
Head of Reference and Adult Services

Phone: (845) 496-5483 x 326
E-mail: mthorenz@rcls.org

New Local History Book

Stop by the library to check-out a brand new history of the Town of Blooming Grove & Village of Washingtonville written by Local History Librarian Matthew Thorenz! This book is packed full of information, fun facts, and images that chronicle the early history of the area we call home!

Blooming Grove and Washingtonville by Matthew Thorenz
The village of Washingtonville and town of Blooming Grove contain a rich history that extends from early settlement by the Lenape people of the Delaware Nation to colonial European settlement in the 18th century and expanded regional development through the 19th and 20th centuries. Blooming Grove is naturally defined by Schunnemunk Mountain (Lenape for "excellent fireplace") and the Moodna Creek, which is referred to as "Waoraneck" by the Lenape and "Murderer's Creek" in early written documents. The fertile soil along the creek's banks attracted farming and milling industries to the region. Despite the loss of historic structures due to floods, fires, and other disasters, many of Washingtonville's iconic landmarks still remain. Some visible reminders of Blooming Grove's past include the Moffat Library of Washingtonville, a national and state historic landmark; Brotherhood Winery, established in 1839 and considered the oldest winery in the United States; and the Moodna Viaduct, which has been in continuous use since its completion in 1908.