Hudson Valley Trust Inc

TO PROMOTE THE CULTURAL, HISTORICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF AREAS SURROUNDING HUDSON RIVER VALLEY. THIS INCLUDES VARIOUS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE RENTAL OF HISTORICAL LOCATION FOR WHICH THE NON-PROFIT WAS FOUNDED AND RESIDES ON AND APPLYING FOR GRANTS FROM NYS AND OTHER AGENCIES.

OPERATIONAL COSTS OF THE FORMER PATTERSON TOWN HALL (LAWLOR BUILDING) WHICH IS BEING USED AS A LIBRARY AND AS AN OFFICE AND MEETING SPACE FOR VARIOUS LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF, WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO FOSTER THE HISTORICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY. THIS ACTION WILL PROTECT AND SECURE THIS LOCALLY HISTORIC AND SIGNIFICANT BUILDING WHICH IS AT THE GATEWAY OF THE TOWN OF PATTERSON. (SEE SUPPLEMENTARY INFO FOR CONTINUATION OF PURPOSE) IN 2006, THE ORGANIZATION PURCHASED 47 ACRES OF LAND CONTIGUOUS WITH THE LAWLOR BUILDING PROPERTY WITH THE PROCEEDS OF A GRANT FROM THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. THE LAND WILL BE PRESERVED AND USED TO PROMOTE THE LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH TOURISM BY DEVELOPING AN ARBORETUM. IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SUPPORT FROM PUTNAM COUNTY CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE ARBORETUM WILL CONSIST OF, IN PART, A COLLECTION OF NATIVE PLANTINGS FROM EASTERN NORTH AMERICA AND, IN PARTICULAR, NEW YORK STATE. IN 2008, THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE THAT WILL PROMOTE TOURISM AND ADVOCATE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING GREATER ACCESSIBILITY FROM ITS OFFICES AND PARKING LOT TO THE 47 ACRES OF ROLLING GREEN PASTURES WHICH LEAD TO ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE WETLANDS THAT BORDER THE HISTORIC GREAT SWAMP. THESE LANDS ARE FREQUENTED BY BIRD WATCHERS, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY GROUPS, AND OTHERS. DURING 2008 THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED WORK ON RENOVATING A HISTORIC BARN ON THIS SAME SITE.