Local History Collections

The local history collection was formally established in 1972 to offer students and faculty the opportunity for historical research, as well as meet the community need for local history. The collection emphasizes material relating to Ulster County but also includes the history of neighboring counties, the Hudson Valley, the Catskill Region and selected materials that covers the general history of the state. Materials include books, maps, postcards, a file of pamphlets, articles and newspaper clippings. There are some early census surveys, celebration publications, documents relating to the Ashokan Reservoir, and brochures from Lake Minnewaska and Mohonk Mountain House.

Please contact Tess Hartman-Cullen at 845-687-5216  or hartmant@sunyulster.edu with any questions.

Our Collections

Local Authors

The Library collects books written by SUNY Ulster faculty and alumni as well as other local authors. Use SUNY Ulster's Library Catalog to find the location of these and other books in the library.

The Henry Bloch Collection

A collection of programs, scrapbooks, clippings and other memorabilia of the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra 1980 - 1991 and the Overlook Lyric Theater 1992 - 1997.

The Herrick Collection

A small collection of books, a photo album and other material, including letters, tapes and memorabilia, were donated to the library by puppeteer, Ron Herrick. A DVD of 3 entire performances is also included. These are shelved in SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. View an excerpt of the transcript of Ron's reminiscences, and some photos of the puppets used in Jack and the Beanstalk.

The Merritt Collection

A collection of books, a journal and other material were donated to the library by the Merritt Family. These are shelved in SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. View a transcription of Sara A. Van Deusen Merritt's journal.

The Ross Collection

Scripts of all her plays were donated to the library by Ulster County playwright, Andre Moul Ross. These are shelved in SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.

The Ulster County Bicentennial Quilt

To celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial and honor their county, one of the ten original counties of New York State, forty-two Ulster County women designed and made this appliquéd quilt.

Each woman created a 12-inch block and participated in the quilting. The quilt is on display in it's own custom designed case in the lobby of the Macdonald DeWitt Library, Ulster County Community College, Stone Ridge, New York. View a photograph of the quilt, along with a list of the quilters.