Matthewis Persen House Museum Announces August Guest Hosts
Ulster County Landmark Welcomes Reenactors, Historians, and Cultural Partners

 

KINGSTON, NY — The Ulster County Clerk’s Office is pleased to continue its 2025 season at the Matthewis Persen House Museum with another month of engaging guest hosts throughout August. Located at the historic corner of Crown and John Streets in uptown Kingston, the Persen House remains a center for local history, culture, and community engagement.

Each Saturday in August features unique programming from regional historians, reenactors, and educational partners. Admission is always free, and all ages are welcome.

August Schedule of Guest Hosts:

  • Saturday, August 2 – Don Terpening, Revolutionary War Medical Reenactor. Step into the world of 18th-century battlefield medicine with Don Terpening, who will demonstrate the tools and techniques used by Revolutionary War-era medics. Learn how soldiers were treated and the challenges they faced in early military healthcare.
  • Saturday, August 9 – Hudson River Maritime Museum. Explore the rich maritime heritage of the Hudson Valley with staff from the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Discover how the river shaped commerce, travel, and daily life through interactive displays and expert interpretation.
  • Saturday, August 16 – Ulster County Historian. Join Ulster County Historian Eddie Moran for a day of local history exploration. Engage with historical documents and artifacts that bring the stories of Ulster County to life, from its founding days to the present.
  • Saturday, August 23 – Historic Surveying Talk with Ricky Brooks. Learn how early American surveyors mapped the land and shaped the development of our communities. Ricky Brooks will discuss the instruments, methods, and importance of historic surveying practices in the Hudson Valley.
  • Saturday, August 30 – WWII VJ Day Event by Hank Yost. Commemorate the Allied victory in Europe with historian and reenactor Hank Yost, who will present a special program on World War II and VE Day. Discover the personal stories and regional contributions that defined this pivotal moment in global history.

These events are part of the Persen House’s ongoing mission to connect the public with Ulster County’s vibrant past through meaningful collaborations with local experts and institutions.

Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck stated:
“We’re proud to host such a varied lineup in August—each guest offers a different window into our history, from the Revolutionary War to the Hudson River’s maritime legacy to World War II. The Persen House continues to be a place where history lives and learning thrives.”

Ulster County Historian Eddie Moran added:
“This August, our guest hosts help tell a wide range of stories that shaped our region—some well-known, others long overlooked. Whether it’s Revolutionary War medicine, historic surveying, or the impact of World War II on our communities, each program adds another layer to the history we preserve and share at the Persen House.”

The Matthewis Persen House Museum is open to the public Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about upcoming events and to schedule group tours, visit https://clerk.ulstercountyny.gov/archives/persen-house, follow us on Facebook, or contact the Ulster County Historian at (845) 340-3415 or countyhistorian[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us.

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