Empire Explorer

11/22/2023

03/01/2022

Marker Monday! 📍 🗺
Marker Monday is back with some great submissions from all around the state. Thanks to everyone for their submissions and for shedding light on the fascinating stories throughout your regions!

02/23/2022

Bennett School for Girls
Given the unfortunate demolition of this beautiful structure whose decayed beauty has intrigued and inspired photographers, urban explorers and history enthusiasts, I decided to commit to the arduous task of preserving it in a way that I hope can carry on its legacy. For the last several weeks, I have been building a 3D model and obsessively filling in all its rich details with the goal of creating a virtual experience that will soon be completed. Here is a preview of what is to come and will eventually be hosted online as a 3D web experience where you can revisit this former luxury hotel turned girls’ school and experience its history through the years.
Please forgive the sparse posts in recent months as I’ve been dedicating much of my time to exploring the possibilities of preserving and experiencing history in this format. I hope to return to more regular posts and then/nows.

01/13/2022

Respect Revolutionary War history and the Fishkill Supply Depot Burial Grounds: “The barracks were in the fields, all along to the village, in front of the memorial we are here to dedicate; the hospital and cemetery behind it."
This is part of the hymn sang at the dedication of the DAR monument that honors where the graves are "found at the foot of this mountain..."-
"All hail to the heroes who died for our country
And found at the foot of this mountain a grave!
Their trials and sorrows, their pains and privations,
Were the price of our freedom -- then honor the brave."

12/16/2021

"The Town of Fishkill announced a while back that they have begun a project that is being done to remember and honor what many consider to be one of the Hudson Valley's most prominent Native Americans, Chief Daniel Nimham."

The amazing statute will feature one of the most prominent Hudson Valley Native Americans.

12/01/2021

Then/Now
Tioronda School
Built in 1865 and designed by one of our local architectural heroes, Frederick Clarke Withers, Tioronda School has stood abandoned for decades like much of the surrounding Tioronda Estate aka Craig House. Throughout its history, the building has been used as a school, chapel, and an emergency hospital during the Great Flu Epidemic of 1918. Inside its dilapidated interior are amenities such as a pool and basketball court. The property might see a drastic transformation in years to come though. In 2018, the Tioronda property was purchased for $5.5 million with plans to turn its 64 acres into a boutique hotel with the school potentially being part of its “Nordic spa.” As of today, I’m not sure where these plans stand.

11/22/2021

MARKER MONDAY! 📍 🗺
It’s been a minute, but I’m back with some more Marker Monday and a slate of new posts coming your way. For today, we’ve got a great collection of sites and stories that cover lost sites, military history, and a number of great Native American markers that are a welcomed addition for this month’s National Native American Heritage Month. Oh, and we had the fun coincidence of the same Lake George marker submitted by different people. Thanks to everyone for their submissions and for shedding light on the fascinating stories throughout your regions!

09/23/2021

Clinton Square-So pretty in the moonlight.