The year 1609 marked the discovery of two major water courses-the Hudson River, chanced-upon by Henry Hudson; and Lake Champlain, discovered by Samuel de Champlain.  Almost two hundred years later, in 1807, the inventor Robert Fulton made the first successful steamship voyage up the Hudson, marking a new era of navigation and technology.  These events set the stage for settlement of New York City and the Hudson River Valley.

In 2009, these three events will be commemorated in celebrations from New York City to Quebec.  A state commission, appointed by Governor Pataki in 2005, is working through local committees to plan a series of events to take place in river towns from the port of New York to the Capital in Albany. 

This regional event provides a golden opportunity to celebrate the City of Hudson's unique history.  By the time Robert Fulton steamed up the Hudson in 1807-piloted by Hudson land-owner Capt. David Mandeville-Hudson was arguably the most important city in the region.  Its port was the second largest in New York; its economy enriched by whaling, trade, and industry (both legal and illegal); its social life enlivened by waves of immigrants seeking new opportunity.  Even during tough times, the residents of this diverse city showed resilience and resourcefulness.  All of this deserves to be explored and celebrated. 

A City of Hudson Quadricentennial Committee is planning events for a year-long celebration in 2009 to:

                        celebrate the major figures and moments in Hudson's rich past,

                        highlight the city's historic connection to the river,

                        honor and explore Hudson's legacy of social diversity, and

                        showcase its beautiful historic buildings and landscapes.

The City of Hudson holds the distinction of being the only municipality in the Hudson Valley named after the great explorer who discovered the river that now bears his name.  In staking this claim, the City of Hudson calls itself the Namesake City and its yearlong 2009 celebration The Namesake Celebration.  Details of the celebration are outlined on the following pages.

THE NAMESAKE CELEBRATION is focused on two main events and a series of visits from historic vessels, all meant to draw attention to the Hudson River.

.   Waterfront Festival    The festival is built around a three-day visit from the replica ship Half Moon.  Activities include free tours of the ship, food and crafts demonstrations in period costume, a Farmers' Market, information displays from tourist attractions throughout Columbia County, and awarding of the prize in the Henry Hudson look-alike contest.  Children's activities will include circus workshops with members of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, a performance by Nonne and Ankie, folk singers from Holland, and entertainment by Roger the Jester and Mr. Twisty.  Ferry service to the Village of Athens and visits to the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse will be offered, and  trolley transportation throughout the City will be available.  Watercraft will be invited to join the festivities.  The culmination of the festival on Saturday will be an evening concert, fireworks, and a light show.   July 24-26, 2009

.   Quadathlon    An athletic event involving single athletes or relay teams of four who will run from the Town of Greenport across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to the Village of Catskill, swim a course in Catskill Creek, bicycle a prescribed route to the Village of Athens, and kayak across the Hudson River to the City of Hudson.  A mini-quadathlon for children will be held at Oakdale Lake in the City of Hudson.    August 2, 2009

.   River Events

 .  River Day   On June 5, a relay flotilla of boats will progress from New York harbor to Albany, picking up more boats as it progresses.  The flotilla will be led by heritage flagships such as the Onrust, the Clearwater and the Half Moon.  Boats are scheduled to stop in Hudson/Catskill on June 11. The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater will dock in Hudson and be available to school groups on the morning of June 12.   June 12, 2009

    .  Tug & Barge Tour   The Tugboat Pegasus and the barge called The Waterfront Museum, usually docked in Red Hook, Brooklyn, will anchor on the City of Hudson's waterfront as part of a tour called "The Hudson River-Our Water Highway of Commerce & Communities."  These two historic vessels, both listed on the National Register, are teaming up for this tour "to showcase the great potential of the water highway for public access and enjoyment, education, transport and commerce today."  The program will include tug boat rides, visits aboard the vessels to see exhibitions and artifacts and to talk to the crew and historic interpreters, and maritime/environmental workshops for schoolchildren.   September 15-17, 2009

    .  Day Peckinpaugh   The 256-foot-long Barge Canal Motorship, Day Peckinpaugh, will be docked at the Hudson waterfront for visitations from the public.  The ship is part of a tour of historic vessels called Working on Water.    September 22, 2009

OTHER EVENTS

.   The Hudson City School District has formed a district-wide Quadricentennial Committee and will participate in the Quadricentennial in many ways, from tagging fish with the Quadricentennial symbol, to participation in a statewide essay contest.  The State Education Department Quad curriculum will be used.

.   Non-Profit Organizations who are sponsoring Quadricentennial events are working closely with the Quadricentennial Committee.  These events include the opening of a new gallery at Olana, a Quadricentennial-themed flower show, the lighting of the historic lighthouse, an exhibition of memorabilia from the 1909 Tercentennial celebration in Hudson, Quad-themed exhibitions and performances such as a commissioned opera, a play based on Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle, and a performance by a Dutch theatre company. 

LONG-TERM LEGACY PROJECTS

.   The Legacy of Promenade Hill Park    Improvements will be made to Hudson's historic park, given to its citizens in 1795 by the Proprietors who founded the City of Hudson.  Hoped-for improvements might include a newly designed and refurbished children's playground,  handicapped access, and signage. 

.  A new trail from Hudson's North Bay to Greenport Conservancy Area is planned  for completion some time in 2010.

.   Improvements in Waterfront Park   Improvement and expansion of the City-owned dock in Waterfront Park is in the planning stages, as is the addition of a concession stand in the park.

.   Promotional Activities   The Committee will promote the entire schedule of activities as the City of Hudson's Namesake Celebration.  The promotional campaign will take full advantage of the Quadricentennial and set the stage for future promotion of the city.  The campaign is already underway.  A real-life "Henry Hudson" made his initial appearance in the Flag Day Parade in June 2008, and has appeared in public throughout the summer in unexpected places-the Farmers' Market, the County Fair, the ArtsWalk festival.  A Quadricentennial dog, "Seadog Hank" made his appearance on Warren Street as part of the Columbia County Council on the Arts' public art project, "Best in Show."