Happy While United: Daily Life for the Esopus Indians in the Catskills, 1730-1777
Sun, May 17
|Historical Society of Middletown
To protect their traditional way of life, many 18th century Esopus Indian families move from the Hudson Valley to the far side of the Catskills. Join us at the Historical Society of Middletown to learn about the unique hybrid lifestyle, foodways and culture of the Esopus Indians during this time.
Time & Location
May 17, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Historical Society of Middletown, 778 Cemetery Rd, Margaretville, NY 12455, USA
About the Event
Event Details: To protect their traditional way of life, 18th century Esopus Indian families largely left the Hudson Valley for the isolated East and West Branches of the Delaware River. Over several generations, they combined the best of both worlds, adopting various aspects of Dutch colonial society (including animal husbandry, cider making, and architecture) with traditional skills and traditions. By the late 1770s, the American Revolution nearly destroyed the hybrid world that they had created, forcing them to Canada. This event is free and open to the public!
About the Presenter: A life-long resident of the Hudson Valley and Catskills, Justin Wexler has dedicated his life to learning everything he can about the lives, land management practices and ethnoecology of the region's original human inhabitants. He has a BA in history and anthropology from Marlboro College and an MA in teaching history from Bard College. Through his organization, Wild Hudson Valley, he works tirelessly to connect the area’s current residents to regional natural history through guided walks, boat tours, presentations and workshops.