Saturday, May 18
11 am to 2 pm
Join us for tours, a silent auction, and the official unveiling of
a significant acquisition to the collection —
an 1888 Folk Art oil painting of High Falls!
FREE
No Registration required
Auction is available Remotely by computer or mobile
as well as In Person.
Participate in our silent auction, where treasures await both on-site and online! Bid on donated items and play a role in preserving the legacy of the D&H Canal and its Gravity Railroad.
Wander through the Museum and Mid-Hudson Visitor Center, while soaking in the rich history of our industrial and transportation heritage. Have burning questions? Our Historian & Curator, Bill Merchant, will be your guide, offering insights and leading curious minds on an exclusive tour, including the beautiful Five Locks Walk (weather permitting).
Enjoy the atmosphere as you mingle and make memories with fellow history enthusiasts. While admission is free, your generosity is invaluable! Help us uphold our mission and keep our doors open to the community by bidding on auction items or contributing a tax-deductible gift.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable occasion. Join us on May 18 to witness the unveiling of an important addition to our cherished collections. Let’s preserve history together!
The Society recently acquired a 1888 folk art oil painting on canvas by Emma J. Parker that depicts High Falls and includes what is likely the DePuy Tavern (location of the current Museum and Visitor Center). This artwork is significant not only because of the location, but because it is one of the rare depictions of the Canal by a woman. Robert A. Meringolo, Founder of The Appraisers Roadshow has offered the following evaluation of Parker’s piece:
“This 19th Century, highly detailed painting of the Depuy Tavern possesses all of the elements of good folk art. It is a classic example of American Folk Art reflecting life in rural upstate New York. The difference between Folk Art and Classical Art is that folk artists although talented are untrained which has led to a lack of depth of field wherein people, animals, and objects are out of proportion and out of scale, which is a highly desirable and charming aspect of the best of Folk Art. This painting contains all of that. Another characteristic of this work that makes it desirable is that topical paintings are rare. This depiction of a specific place in the hamlet of High Falls places it in a special category as it possesses all the desirable elements as the people, in period dress, the horses, wagons, and buildings depicted are all painted in fine detail. The artist has created a wonderful snapshot of America from an earlier time.”