Thursday, October 14, 2010

Black Church-Underground Railroad on Baxtertown Planning Board meeting

At tonight's Planning Board meeting. Town Historian, Willa Skinner read a letter to the board in regards to the Black Church, Cemetery and Underground Railroad on Baxtertown Road.

She stated that all existed in the area, but was unable to confirm the exact locations.

In regard to the Cemetery, she mentioned that the Negro cemetery on Osbourne Hill Road. Was incorporated in 1850, and that headstones from a earlier period were found on that site. She suggested that those markers and graves "may" have been re-located from Baxtertown.

However, slaves during that period rarely had any headstones.

The Planning Board suggested further investigation of the site.

I can only hope that underground sonar, similiar to the one that saved the Fishkill Supply Depot Burial Ground, can be used. This can be a special addition to the great history of the Town of Fishkill. It is worth saving.

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/PlanningBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/10-14-10%20PB%20Agenda.pdf

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Fishkill Underground Railroad Update

Fishkill Town Historian Willa Skinner, will give a presentation at the October 14th Planning Board Meeting. Regarding the Baxtertown property and it's historical impact.

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/PlanningBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/10-14-10%20Final%20PB%20Agenda.pdf

Today's Southern Dutchess News, October 6, 2010 has a front page article in regard to the site with comments from. Mara Farrell, Fishkill Supply Depot. Kurt Buck, Fishkill Planning Board member. Gwen Davis, Southern Dutchess NAACP. Thomas Knips, Fishkill Planning Board Chairman. Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones is also quoted saying, "she was surprised and baffled of the possibility of the Underground Railroad by Baxtertown Rd."

The article was written by Kristine Coulter, Staff Writer.

For more info, buy this weeks Southern Dutchess News, this article is very interesting.