Saturday – July 8, 10am – Mountain Top Historical Society Annual Members Meeting/200 Years of Beauty: Tourism and the Catskills” at 11 am
At the historic U & D Train Station, join us to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the construction of the Catskill Mountain House. Carl Fowler will show historic images along with modern day photos of legendary sites such as the Mountain House, and other grand hotels and access routes to those sites by rail, river, and road. Mr. Fowler will also tell the story of the Laurel House Depot sign, and other depot signs of the area. Public is welcome. Registration required. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657.
Sunday – July 23, 1pm - The Twilight Inn Fire
At the Twilight Park Clubhouse, Twilight historian Joanne Ainsworth and Town of Hunter Historian Dede Terns-Thorpe will present the tragic story of the Twilight Inn fire that occurred on July 14, 1926. Registration required.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657.
PAST EVENTS:
Sunday – June 11, 1pm – A History of Lionel Trains
At the historic U & D Train Station, join us for a fun-filled afternoon for train enthusiasts of all ages. Ron Gabriele will speak about the history of Lionel Model Trains and will demonstrate his working model train. There will be book-signings by local authors, and an exhibit of railroad photos and memorabilia from the MTHS archives. $5 donation suggested for adults. Registration required. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657.
Saturday – June 3, 9:30am – Hike to Poet's Ledge from Twilight Park
Join the MTHS for a guided all-day hike to Poet’s Ledge from Twilight Park, led by Nick Lemann. This is a woods walk that crosses over streams and above the ravines that cascade into the Kaaterskill Clove, which leads to a beautiful view. We will cross above Santa Cruz, Buttermilk, Wildcat, and Viola Falls on a trail that leads to Poet’s Ledge, the well-known viewpoint looking west up the Clove. Come prepared for some wet or muddy conditions, rocky trails. Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, bug spray. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots and long pants are highly recommended. Bring trekking poles if you have them. We reserve the right to ask hikers to drop out if they are not properly prepared for challenging conditions.
Rating: moderately difficult due to length and terrain; minimal elevation gain. Length: 6 miles round trip. The hike will be canceled in case of rain. Limit: 20 hikers. Advance registration by June 2 at 12 noon with the MTHS is required at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657.
Meet at the MTHS KRT parking lot for 9:30 sign-in and carpooling arrangements (parking at the trailhead in Twilight is limited).
Sunday – May 7, 1pm – A tour of the Hunter Synagogue
Join Carol Slutzky-Tenerowicz, historian, as she tells the story of this beautiful building, built in the Queen Anne style, listed on the register of National Historic Places. A Jewish-American Heritage Month program. Registration required. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657.
Thursday, March 16, 6pm – “Era Zistel Posselt, Forgotten Gem of the Mountain Top”
A Women’s History month celebration by Johanna Titus. Era Zistel Posselt was a spunky mid-western gal, who fell in love with the Catskills. She was a long-time librarian of Haines Falls, prolific author, and profound lover of animals. Along with Posselt, Johanna Titus will tell us of the women who were instrumental in carving out what the mountain top community is today. Register to obtain a link to the program. To register email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657.
Thursday, April 6, 7pm – "CCC in The Catskills"
Diane Galusha, author of Another Day, Another Dollar: The Civilian Conservation Corps in the
Catskills, will give an illustrated talk on that subject for the Mountaintop Historical Society Thursday, via Zoom. To register please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-589-6657
The presentation will provide background on the Depression-era program for unemployed young men and will offer details on the operation and accomplishments of the four principal camps that housed them in the Catskills region: Boiceville, Tannersville, Margaretville and Breakabeen.
The CCC’s aims were to provide jobs to young men and veterans, assist their struggling families and at the same time conduct conservation projects to reverse decades of environmental degradation, improve public lands and develop parks, trails and campgrounds for public enjoyment. Projects ranged from trail building and tree planting to erosion control and insect eradication. North Lake, Devil’s Tombstone, Woodland Valley and Beaverkill State Campgrounds in the Catskill Park were developed with Corps labor. Area CCC camps operated from six months to several years between 1933 and 1941.
Diane Galusha is the author of several books of local and regional history and is the president of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown in Delaware County.
Saturday – April 22, 1pm – Earth Day / Celebrate Trails Day: Hunter Branch Rail Trail Opening
Celebrate the rich history of the Mountain Top with the opening of the newest section of the Hunter Regional Trail (formerly Kaaterskill Rail Trail) connecting the Kaaterskill Falls with the Village of Hunter. Join the Hunter Area Trail Coalition for a grand opening ceremony and bridge dedication on Celebrate Trails Day and Earth Day. More details to follow.
