Allison Guertin Marchese:
“Hidden History of Columbia County, NY”
Sunday, May 17th 2-4pm
Quarterly Meeting & Presentation at AHS
In the Harvey House
Free and open to the public.
Refreshments served.
Join Allison as she takes us on an informal stroll — in word and image — through the more hidden aspects of our history!
In her book, Marchese looks beyond the rolling hills of Columbia County to discover its secrets. Her research led her to explore little-known stories of people and places, deeply woven into the history of the county. For example, a mastodon tooth rolled down a farmer’s hill in Claverack, changing the world’s understanding of prehistoric times. President Martin Van Buren lost his wife, Hannah, in Kinderhook and hardly mentioned her again. Hudson’s gallows were the scene of New York’s last hanging, as hundreds of ticketholders looked on.
A graduate of Fordham University with a degree in communications and creative writing, Allison Guertin Marchese spent much of her professional career in public relations. After moving to the area from New York City, she worked as corporate director of public relations for Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, communications director for Kripalu Center, and director of external relations for Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge. Currently, she recently directed the fundraising as a consultant for The Edna St. Vincent Millay Society at Steepletop in Austerlitz. She also works as a freelance writer and publicist. Allison lives in Malden Bridge.