The document summarizes the 300th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of German Palatine refugees to the upper Hudson Valley region in 1710. Events include historical seminars, musical performances, archaeological projects, school activities, and a Palatine Oktoberfest festival over multiple days with music, food, demonstrations and more. The document provides details on the origins and early settlement of the Palatines in the area.

1. The 300th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Palatines 1710 2010

2. History German "Palatines" came in 1710 to the upper Hudson Valley, to land that is today Germantown, Columbia County. The “Palatines” were driven from the Rhenish Palatinate, a small Electorate located near the junction of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers in Germany, by wars and famine. They left their homeland in the so-called Great Migration of 1709, and settled in New York in 1710.

3. The History of the Settlement of this area may be said to have begun on, or about, September 29, 1710, when Robert Hunter, newly appointed Royal Governor of New York Province, purchased some 6,000 acres of land on the east bank of the Hudson River, from Robert Livingston, First Lord of the Manor. This land was purchased for the purpose of settling some 1,400 or more German-speaking Palatines from the Rhine Valley and adjacent areas.

4. These Palatines were to be settled along the Hudson River, and put to work manufacturing Naval Stores, products of the pine tree, for the British Navy. Naval Stores is a term which originally applied to the resin-based components used in building and maintaining wooden sailing ships.

5. There were two species of pine trees predominant here along the Hudson, the White Pine and the Pitch Pine. The White Pine was most numerous along the river, but was not suited to the purpose in mind,

6. The Pitch Pine also grew here, but was most numerous some distance inland from the river. This tree was suited to the project under consideration. The undertaking of manufacturing Naval Stores proved a failure and, in the autumn of 1712, the Colony split, with many of the settlers moving on.

7. Others elected to remain and fought through some terribly hard conditions. By 1724, some 63 families were firmly enough established to petition for title to the 6,000 acres purchased by Governor Hunter in 1710. This petition was granted in 1725. In 1740 the area was surveyed and mapped, and those remaining were given Indentures of Ownership for their lands. Cadwallader Colden Map. A map of the six thousand acres of land granted to Paletine heads of families

8. ANNESBURY In the Snyder's Corners-Half Moon Anchorage area Approximate locations of Palatine Settlements at East Camp in 1710 QUEENSBURY In the vicinity of Sharp's Landing Road, Maple Avenue, Maple Avenue Extension, and Highway 9G HAYESBURY In the area around the junction of County Road No. 8 and Highway 9G HUNTERSTOWN In the vicinity of present-day Cheviot

9. 300 th Anniversary Activities

10. Art: Analemma An analemma is a piece of art conceived by Dea Archbold and Kurt Holsapple, both of whom are descendants of the first settlers of Germantown in 1710. This piece of art is created by recording the spot where the tip of the shadow of a twelve foot pole falls at the same time of day for all 365 days of the year.

17. 2010 Garden Club Calendar has been published

18. Commemoration of the Palatines A memorial plaque commemorating the Palatines has been acquired. Dedication of the plaque is scheduled for Saturday, October 2 nd at the Germantown Parsonage.

23. Calendar of Germantown 300th Anniversary Events Weekend September 11-12, 2010 House tours and visits on both sides of the River Saturday , September 25, 2010 2pm to 4pm : 300th Birthday Party at the Parsonage, sponsored by the Germantown Garden Club. Friday, October 1, 2010 Talks to students at Germantown Central School on Palatine history by Henry Z. Jones, historian/genealogist, and David Jay Webber, historian/Palatine descendant and GCS graduate. Presentation of a Palatine play at Germantown Central School

24. Saturday, October 2, 2010 11am to 3pm with lunch break: Seminar at the Reformed Church in Germantown on aspects of Palatine history and the arrival of the Palatines in Germantown. Speakers: Henry Z. Jones, David Jay Webber, Philip Otterness, and Alice Clark Reservation desk opens at 9:30 am. 3pm to 4:30pm : Seminar speakers available to discuss genealogy with seminar participants Sunday, October 3, 2010 8am to 9:15 am : 300 th Anniversary breakfast, hosted by the Christ Lutheran Church (Viewmont) 10am Ecumenical church service at the Christ Lutheran Church in Viewmont celebrating the church’s 300 th Anniversary 3pm Gala concert at the Reformed Church in Germantown - Maestro Harold Farberman; Commissioned work for voice and instruments based on church hymns - 18th century hymns sung by the Southern Columbia Community Choir, Donna Diehl, conductor - Performances by other groups and soloists

25. Friday, October 8, 2010 Early evening: Wagon parade along Main Street of floats saluting local businesses and organizations, farmers, and GCS students; ending at Palatine Park with food and refreshments. Kick-off of the Palatine Oktoberfest; including food booths, crafters, music, community bonfire. Free admission and parking. Saturday, October 9, 2010 11am Opening ceremony of Palatine Oktoberfest and Harvest Festival: remarks by a distinguished guest followed by daylong family activities, music, international foods, craft vendors, demonstrations, dancing, free horse and tractor-drawn wagon rides, and more. Free admission and parking. Fireworks & Teen Dance to close the day Sunday, October 10, 2010 11am Oktoberfest and Harvest Festival continues: Previous day’s activities plus an oompah band; highlighted by a visit from our friends at West Point Military Academy 7pm Closing ceremony

27. Germantown 300 th Committee For more information Nadine Rumke Chair Larry Osgood Treasurer Nan Eliot PR & Press Power Point created by: Devin Overington Town Hall: 50 Palatine Rd Germantown, NY 12526 518 537 6687 Ext.308 Committee: P.O.Box 63 Germantown, NY 12526 www.germantownnyhistory.org