Historian

Putnam County

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Putnam County Historian

• Office | 845.808.1420

• Fax | 845.278.4865

• Email |  Send us a message

• Address | 68 Marvin Ave. Brewster, NY 10509

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County Historian

Services Offered

• Boundary Changes

  See how Putnam County's boundaries changed starting from  1683 to present day!

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• Historian's Collection

  Putnam County Historians have been collecting primary material since the 1950s to preserve Putnam’s past for future generations. The papers in the Collection have been arranged and described. The Historian’s Office welcomes the donation of private papers, maps, and photographs that shed light on the County’s past, as well as the gift of collections relating to contemporary subjects to be preserved for future generations.

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• Historical Displays

  Display panels relating to Putnam County’s history have been developed by the Putnam County Historian’s Office since 1991. They may be borrowed by schools, historical societies, museums, and civic groups. Each panel is 40″ X 30″ and mounted vertically. They are framed and under Plexiglas. Most have wires for hanging them (or you may attach wires) or they may be propped against a wall or a chalkboard. It is sometimes possible to borrow the bases on which you may mount four panels at a time, “kiosk” style. The exhibits may be inspected at the Historian’s Office to see if they suit your purposes. Please call ahead if you want to see them.

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• Library

  The County Historian maintains a reference library of state, regional, local and family history, consisting of histories and biographies, reference works, and printed collections of historical documents. The library materials are for reference only and may not be loaned.

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• Old House Program

  A program to research, recognize, and mark old houses & structures in Putnam County is Sponsored by The Office of the Putnam County Historian & The Putnam County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

  Purpose of Program

  Many of us, especially those who have moved toPutnamCountyfrom somewhere else, drive past old houses and wonder how old they are or who lived there before our day. In other communities, we often see signs on houses that mark the names of the first owners or the approximate date of constructio

  Read more

• Putnam in the Pandemic

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• Putnam Past

  Putnam’s Origins, 1691-1776
  When the Half Moon anchored in the Hudson in 1609, the area on the east bank was inhabited by a band of Native Americans called the Wappingers, sometimes known as the “River Indians”. This group of Munsee-speaking Delawares farmed in the valleys, hunted in the forests and swamps, and gathered shellfish in the Hudson estuary in the land that would become Putnam County. No European settlements are known to have occurred here during the 17th century, but the Wappingers had regular contact with Dutch traders from whom they acquired trade goods in return for beaver pelts. They also acquired disease, alcohol, and firearms, decimating their people.

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• Town & Villages

  Archival and documentary sources in the county are often to be found in its towns and villages. Vital records (births, marriages and deaths) have been kept in the offices of the town and village clerks who are the records management officers (RMOs) of their municipalities.

  Each local government has a local government historian who may be contacted if you have questions about his or her town or village.

  If you are interested in a particular town or village, click on the municipality to learn about the RMOs, the municipal historians, the local historical societies and museums, and the local libraries.

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News

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About

Staff

Hours & facilities

Travel Directions

• From West & South via Taconic & US 6

  Exit Taconic on US 6 going right (east).  US 6 east into Brewster.  Where US 6 bears left at RR station, go straight.  Take first left (Marvin Avenue) to Records Center.

• From North by Taconic/I-84

   Take I-84 east to exit 20N; then take immediate exit 10; then US 202 & 6 to Brewster.  Right on US 6 over bridge at a traffic light and next left (Marvin Ave.) to Records Center on right.

• From South by Saw Mill & I-684

  Saw Mill will merge with I-684. Continue on I-684 to Exit 8 (Hardscrabble Rd.). Go left and straight when Route NY 22 enters from the left.  Continue on 22 north through Croton Falls (US 202 east will join NY 22). Take first left after reservoir (sign says to US 6 west) and second right (Marvin Avenue) to Records Center on left.

• From West & North By NY 301

  US 301 to Carmel & right on NY 52 at Courthouse.  Left on US 6 East in front of Reed Library.  Follow US 6 into Brewster.  Where 6 bears left at RR station, go straight.  Take first left (Marvin Avenue) to Records Center on left.

• From East by I-84 or US 6

  I-84 to Rte. 121 exit (US 6 & US 202 west).  Right on 121 and left on US 202 & 6 to a traffic light where US 6 goes right.  Go right over bridge at light & take first left (Marvin Ave.) to Records Center on right.

• By Train

  The Historian’s Office can also be reached by train.  We are within walking distance from the Brewster station on the Harlem Line out of Grand Central Station.  There are taxis at the train station in Brewster.

Boundary Changes

• 

  Over the years, the boundaries and names of Putnam County and of its political subdivisions changed frequently.

  1683 Civil Divisions of Dutchess County formed by Colonial Legislature

  1697 Philipse Patent granted to Adolph Philipse

• 

  1719 Dutchess County divided into 3 “divisions” called “wards”

  1731 Thomas Hawley and others receive patent for The Oblong

  1737 Area styled “South Precinct” by Colonial Assembly

  1754 Patent divided into 9 lots after death of Adolph Philipse

• 

  1772 Precinct divided into Southeast, Philips, and Fredericksburgh Precincts

• 

  1778 Precincts become towns

• 

  1795 Act to divide Frederickstown and Southeast Town into towns of Carmel, Frederick, Franklin, and Southeast

• 

  1806 Fishkill annexes northwest corner of Philipstown

• 

  1808 Name of Franklin changed to Patterson

  1812 Act to divide Dutchess County, creating Putnam County

  1817 Name of Frederick changed to Kent

  1839 Philipstown divided, and Town of Quincy created

• 

  1840 Name of Quincy changed to Putnam Valley

  1861 Part of Carmel west of Peekskill Hollow Creek annexed by Putnam Valley

• 

  1879 Northwestern Philipstown ceded to Kent

Historians Collection

Archives Catalogue

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Historian's Collection

Click to Download the PDF

Historical Displays

Subjects of Displays

• Rivers, Roads and Rails: Movin’ Through Putnam

  The exhibit deals with early transportation in Putnam County: Hudson River commerce, the coming of the railroads, and the old roads and turnpikes. (16 panels)

• Cars in the County

  A sequel to “Rivers, Roads and Rails”, this exhibit shows the impact of the automobile on the suburbanization of Putnam County. (11 panels)

• Cabins to Castles

  The exhibit shows the changes in Putnam County architecture from the days of the log cabin to the present. (14 panels)

• Putnam Preserves its Past

  The exhibit examines the state of historic preservation in Putnam County, successes as well as failures. (8 panels)

• The Restoration of the Courthouse

  This small exhibit was created for the reopening of the newly-restored historic courthouse in 1996. (4 panels)

• Nimham and the Native Americans

  This exhibit tells the story of the first people in Putnam County, the development of Lenape culture, and the story of the Wappingers and their unhappy fate. (8 panels) Traveling cases displaying a collection of local Native American artifacts have been deposited by the Putnam County Historical Society and Foundry School Museum and may be loaned in conjunction with the panels.

• The Control of the Highlands

  Putnam County in the American Revolution. The exhibit focuses on the pivotal importance of the Hudson Highlands in the winning of the War of Independence and on the career of Gen. Israel Putnam, for whom the County is named. (8 panels)

• Putnam County during the Civil War

  The exhibit tells of the County’s role in the Civil War, especially as the war affected the people and industries at home. (8 panels)

• Seeking a Better Life

  Three Centuries of Ethnic Change in Putnam County. The exhibit traces the changing population groups in Putnam County. (8 panels) An additional panel is available depicting recent Central American immigrants.

• Putnam County in the World Wars

  The exhibit tells the story of the Putnam County homefront during World War I and World War II. (8 panels)

• The Putnam County Origins of the American Circus

  Wild animal menageries, equestrian shows and acrobatic displays preceded the circus that we know today. Men from eastern Putnam and northern Westchester pioneered in these enterprises. Seth B. Howes of Brewster was the greatest showman of his day. (4 panels)

• The Mills of Putnam County

  Panels depicting the various kinds of mills in each of Putnam County’s six towns (two panels for the Town of Carmel) (7 panels)

• The New York City Reservoirs in Putnam County

  Panels depicting construction of the reservoirs, contamination problems, security issues, and the relocation and displacement of structures and cemeteries, and a watershed map with descriptions of each reservoir. (5 panels)

• What Killed the “Old Put”?

  The story of the tribulations and decline of the railroad that brought rail travel to the interior of Putnam County. (2 panels)

Library

Old House Program

• Marking Your Old House

  A program to research, recognize, and mark old houses & structures in Putnam County is Sponsored by The Office of the Putnam County Historian & The Putnam County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

  Purpose of Program

  Many of us, especially those who have moved toPutnamCountyfrom somewhere else, drive past old houses and wonder how old they are or who lived there before our day.  In other communities, we often see signs on houses that mark the names of the first owners or the approximate date of construction.

• Who May Apply?

  The owner(s) of any house that

  • appears on the 1854 O’Connor map, the 1867 F.W. Beers map or the 1876 Thomas Reed map
  • any house that is of architectural importance, even if it is of recent construction
  • any house in which a notable person lived or in which an significant event took place (The importance of the house or event may be regional.)

  Why Should I Apply?

  Anyone who has lived in an old house knows that it is both a challenge and a joy to care for it.   It is a challenge because the repairs, maintenance, and upkeep of an old house are much more expensive the care of a new one!  But the joy comes from being a steward of a house that generations before you have lived in and that generations after you will enjoy as well.   Yours is not a “tear down” but a treasure.  Marking it will show you care and will educate others to care as well.

• How Do I Find Out About My House?

  Assuming that you wish to apply for a plaque because your house is old, you may click on “Some Tips on Tracing the History of Your Old House.” Your local historical society, your town or village historian, and the Putnam County Historian’s Office andCountyArchivescan help.

  Why Should I Bother?

  A house is more than wood and shingles! It’s also the story of the people who lived there; and much of the enjoyment of living in an old house comes from imagining the lives of your predecessors. You may find that town meetings were held in your house, that a “pound master” lived there, that one woman raised seventeen children in your house, or even that a prior owner was convicted of arson!

• How Do I Apply?

  There is a simple form to be completed (click on “application form” & print it), and we ask for up-to-date photographs of the exterior of the house. If there are any interesting architectural details inside, it’s good to include interior photographs as well. Some of the work may already have been done for you as many houses in Putnam County have already been described by an architectural historian or have been the subject of a historic structure report) or have already been declared eligible to apply for the National Register. In those cases, your job is really easy. You may then submit your form and photographs to a committee that will consult with your town or village historian or historical society. If your house is approved, you may purchase the brass plaque to affix to your house or to a sign. Documentation, including the photographs, of your house will be preserved in the Putnam County Archives for students and future owners to consult and for future generations inPutnamCounty.

• How Will My House Be Marked?

  If your house enters the program, you may purchase (for TBD) a brass marker showing the ox, rake & plow of the first official seal ofPutnamCountyshown above. You may affix it to your house, or you may choose to place it on a historical marker showing the name(s) of early owners and/or the date of construction.  Nothing in this program prevents you from making alterations or additions to your house, painting it to your liking, or limiting your use in any way.  It does show that you care about the legacy of past generations and the preservation of your house’s story for those who come after us.

  Such signs attest to owners’ interest in their properties and a community’s pride in its history. Putnam County’s program is designed to recognize old houses that may or may not be eligible to be listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

  The “Marking Your Old House” Program is created so that homeowners may learn about their old house, have its history attested to by designated historians, and have a plaque that will be uniform throughout the county placed on their house or a sign in front of their house.

• Learn More About This Program

  Call the Putnam County Historian’s Office for more information.
  We can be reached at:

  Telephone:  (845) 278-7209
  e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Fax: (845) 278-4865
  By Mail: Putnam County  Historian’s Office
  68 Marvin Avenue, Brewster NY 10509

Putnam in the Pandemic

Putnams Past

• Putnam’s Origins, 1691-1776

  When the Half Moon anchored in the Hudson in 1609, the area on the east bank was inhabited by a band of Native Americans called the Wappingers, sometimes known as the “River Indians”. This group of Munsee-speaking Delawares farmed in the valleys, hunted in the forests and swamps, and gathered shellfish in the Hudson estuary in the land that would become Putnam County. No European settlements are known to have occurred here during the 17th century, but the Wappingers had regular contact with Dutch traders from whom they acquired trade goods in return for beaver pelts. They also acquired disease, alcohol, and firearms, decimating their people.

  

  In 1691, two Dutch traders purchased a portion what would become Putnam County from the Wappingers for a “competent” sum of money. Six years later, the traders sold it to Adolph Philipse, a wealthy merchant, who then obtained a royal patent for land extending all the way from the Hudson to the Connecticut border, an area to be known as the Philipse Patent.
  In 1737, the Colonial Assembly designated the Philipse Patent as the South Precinct of Dutchess County, and the Philipses began leasing farms to immigrants from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Long Island and lower Westchester. After Adolph Philipse’s death, the Patent was divided in 1754 into nine lots granted to three heirs, Mary Philipse, Philip Philipse, and Susannah Philipse Robinson. During the French and Indian War, many of the Wappingers went to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. (Thereafter, they were often known as Stockbridge Indians or Stockbridge Mahicans.) When the Wappingers returned to Putnam after the war and attempted to regain the land that the Philipses had been leasing to others, they brought suit. Their sachem Daniel Nimham argued with considerable justification that they had been defrauded of their lands, the Provincial Council, dominated by great families like the Philipses, upheld the Philipse claims.

• Putnam in the Revolution

  During the Revolutionary War, the control of the Hudson Highlands was critical to both sides. British strategy aimed to dominate the Hudson, Lake George, and Lake Champlain corridor and so cut the colonies in two. To do this, the British had to take the east (Putnam) or west bank of the river and to break through the iron chain laid across the river. The British managed this once but failed to maintain their advantage. For part of the Revolution, the defenders of the Highlands were commanded by General Israel Putnam, for whom the county would be named.
  Putnam was also the scene of two other fascinating Revolutionary War events. Benedict Arnold was staying in Putnam, across from the West Point fortifications that he intended to place in enemy hands, when his treachery was discovered. Arnold’s flight from Putnam is marked by a historic marker.

• Sybil Ludington’s grave in Patterson

  

  A statue and many other markers commemorate the extraordinary, night-long ride of Sybil Ludington, which rivaled that of Paul Revere. In April of 1777, the 16-year-old daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington roused the area militia under her father’s command to march to Connecticut where British troops were burning Ridgefield and Danbury. The militia succeeded in driving the British back to their ships lying in Long Island Sound. Although there is no contemporary documentation of the event, Sybil’s feat is firmly established in local and family tradition.

  

• Memorial to Chief Nimham at County Park

  The sachem Daniel Nimham and the Wappingers supported the American cause during the Revolutionary War, and many of them – including Nimham and his son – were killed at the Battle of Kings Bridge in 1778. Nevertheless, when the lands of the Philipses were granted to other patriots, the Wappingers received no reward for their valor. Most left the area and settled eventually in Wisconsin and Ontario.

• A New County in a New Country

  Because the Philipses had been Loyalists during the war, most of their lands were confiscated and sold by Commissioners of Forfeitures primarily to those Philipse tenants who had backed the winning side. The flight of the Philipses and other Tory families created opportunities for New Englanders and others looking for vacant land, creating an influx of immigrants to the County. By 1812, the increased population of southern Dutchess County as well as the inconvenient distance to the county seat in Poughkeepsie caused the State Legislature to create the new County of Putnam, which would have its own Board of Supervisors, courthouse and jail.

  Putnam’s position on the Hudson gave it a good, cheap means of transporting people and goods to New York City and Albany, but the river froze in the winter and, of course, did not provide for inland travel. In 1815, the Philipstown Turnpike Company was organized to improve a toll road from Cold Spring to Connecticut. Wagons on the turnpike brought manufactures to the interior and carried farm produce from eastern Putnam and iron ore from the mines in the Highlands to the river. Unfortunately, the tolls were not adequate to make it a profitable venture for the investors.

  

• West Point Foundry, Cold Spring, 1841

  Two years later, Putnam’s most famous industry, the West Point Foundry, was born. The events of the War of 1812 impelled the Federal Government to encourage a domestic munitions industry. Cold Spring’s location on the Hudson opposite West Point was ideal: it had river transportation, water power, iron ore from nearby mines, and fuel from the charcoal making in forests close at hand. The Foundry’s huge demand for workers, skilled and unskilled, brought Putnam’s first flood of immigrants directly from Europe, primarily from England and Ireland.

• The Coming of the Railroads and the Civil War

  By the mid-19th century, two railroads from New York City were operating in Putnam County – one tracking the level shore of the Hudson to Cold Spring and the other in the Harlem Valley to Brewster’s Station. Gail Borden built his new milk processing plant in Brewster where he could ship his condensed milk to market by rail. His operation required nearly 90,000 quarts of milk each day from the farmers in eastern Putnam County. Transportation of raw milk to Brewster encouraged the development of a network of good roads in the area.

  Although small, Putnam County played a significant role in the Civil War. About a third of the men and boys between 15 and 55 served in the military, and four distinguished fighting generals – as opposed to the “political generals”- are associated with Putnam. In addition to the ordnance supplied by the West Point Foundry and the condensed milk sold by Borden’s, Putnam contributed to the cause by feeding the troops as well as civilians those at home. Declining sheep farming received a boost by a renewed demand for woolen clothing when southern cotton was unavailable.

• Post-War Years, 1865-1914

  Between the Civil War and World War I, industry and agriculture experienced great change. Iron mining and the West Point Foundry, which had prospered during the Civil War, were unable to compete with ore from Michigan and Minnesota and iron manufacturing in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Those involved in the iron business went west, moved to the cities, or found other jobs.

• Aerating fountain at Boyd’s Reservoir, Kent

  

  Agriculture was also in decline. New York City’s need for more drinking water caused it to look to the entire Croton River watershed to supply its needs. Beginning with the construction of the Boyd’s Dam in 1866 through the construction of the last reservoir in the County in 1906, some of Putnam’s best arable land was inundated. The lure of western land was irresistible for farmers who had worn-out land or whose property was taken by the City. The population of the County declined precipitously; in 1920 there were fewer inhabitants here than in 1820!

  The abandonment of the mines and farms, the creation of the reservoirs, and the preservation of new open space all contributed to the scenic beauty of Putnam County and made it attractive to its new industry – “summer people”. Hotels, inns, and boarding houses around Lake Mahopac, Oscawana, and the many other lakes attracted vacationers to Putnam County. The existing railroads and the Putnam Division of the Harlem Railroad, built in the 1880s, made Putnam a vacation mecca for New York City.

• Gov. Herbert H. Lehman opening Taconic, 1931

  In the early 20th century, improved roads brought a new sort of “summer people” to the County. The movement for better highways accelerated after the first World War. During the Great Depression, county planners succeeded in paving many of Putnam’s dirt roads. The Taconic State Parkway reached Putnam County in 1931. Small bungalow colonies sprang up, and cheap vacant land was laid out in large developments of summer homes, like those in Lake Peekskill, Lake Carmel, and Putnam Lake. “A place in the country” was now accessible and affordable for many New York City residents.

  Putnam County’s natural beauty made it a desirable summer resort area. Its many lakes and reservoirs were attractive for fishing and water sports. The abandoned iron mines and farms in the northwestern part of the county reverted to nature and became the nucleus of forested Clarence Fahnestock State Park in 1929.

  While Putnam’s population doubled during the summer months, the year-round population, which had reached an all-time low in 1920, began to grow. Apple, egg and poultry farming gradually replaced many of the dairy farms of the 19th century. Construction trades and the service industry were stimulated by the explosion of the summer population. People discovered that they could summer in Putnam County and still commute to New York City to work. A new Putnam County was in the making on the eve of World War II.

• Putnam County since World War II, 1945

  During the last half century, Putnam ceased to be a rural area and became part of the New York City outer suburbs. Returning veterans and many workers in New York City and lower Westchester County found one could live year-round in Putnam and commute to work on excellent roads and rail connections. While not as convenient as Westchester, Putnam offered less expensive housing, good schools, and a safe environment. New year-round housing developments sprang up throughout the county. The rapid conversion of summer houses to year-round use has provided affordable housing but at an environmental cost.

  

• Rock cut on I-84 in Kent

  For several decades, Putnam has been the one of fastest growing county in New York State. The Taconic State Parkway, designed for leisurely pleasure driving, has become a heavily- traveled, high-speed commuter roadway. The interstate highway system now serves Putnam; and while it has encouraged commercial development in the eastern part of the county, it has also produced more commutation and more congestion. One brake on Putnam’s development has been the stringent regulations adopted by the City of New York to protect the watershed of its reservoir system. More than half of the county is affected by these rules.

  These regulations, as well as the enormous expansion of the state park system in the county, have saved open space for the county and helped to preserve its spectacular natural beauty. Our forests and lakes enhance the quality of life for county residents and bring in eco-tourists. The preservation of historic sites and the revitalization of charming main streets also attract visitors. Special events stimulate tourism, now an important component of economic development. (For information about visiting the county, contact the Visitors Bureau at www.visitputnam.org

• The Great Swamp, Patterson

  

  Today, Putnam County has managed to strike a balance between change and preservation and between development and conservation. It will be the challenge of the 21st century to continue on that difficult path.

Town & Village Links

• Village of Nelsonville

  VILLAGE HISTORIAN:
  Michael Bowman
  244 Main Street
  Cold Spring NY 10516
  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Village Clerk: Mlissa Harris
  258 Main Street, Cold Spring NY 10516
  (845) 265-2500 FAX (845) 265-2351
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Web site: http://www.villageofnelsonville.org

  PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM
  63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring NY 10516.
  (845) 265-4010
  FAX: (845)265-2884
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Web site: www.putnamhistorymuseum.org
  Executive Director: Cassie Ward

  BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY;
  10 Morris Ave., Cold Spring NY 10516.
  Tel: (845) 265-3040. FAX: (845) 265-4852.
  E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website : www.butterfieldlibrary.org

• Town of Philipstown

  TOWN HISTORIAN: 
  Mark Forlow
  21 Lake Surprise Road, Cold Spring NY 10516
  (914) 548-8411
  E-mail: mjmforlowoptonline.net

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Town Clerk Tara K. Percacciolo
  Townhall
  238 Mainstreet
  Cold Spring NY 10516
  (845) 265-3329; FAX: (845) 265-3958
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM 
  63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring NY 10516.
  (845) 265-4010 FAX: (845)265-2884
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  web site: www.putnamhistorymuseum.org
  Executive Director: Cassie Ward

  BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY:
  10 Morris Ave., Cold Spring NY 10516.
  Tel: (845) 265-3040. FAX: (845) 265-4852.
  E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website : www.butterfieldlibrary.org.

  ALICE DESMOND &  HAMILTON FISH LIBRARY:
  472 Route 403, PO Box 266, Garrison NY 10524.
  Tel: (845) 434-3020. FAX : (845) 424-4061.
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: www.desmondfishlibrary.org

• Town of Carmel

  TOWN HISTORIAN: 
  Alicia Briley
  Carmel Town Hall
  60 McAlpin Ave
  Mahopac NY 10541
  (845)628-1500
  Fax (845)628-7434
  Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Town Clerk: Alice Daly
  60 McAlpin Avenue, Mahopac NY 10541
  Tel: (845) 628-1500 FAX (845) 628-7434
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  TOWN OF CARMEL HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
  P.O. Box 456, Mahopac NY 10541-0808
  Tel. (845) 628-0500.
  President: Alicia Briley
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  MAHOPAC PUBLIC LIBRARY:
  668 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541.
  Tel: (845) 628-2009. FAX: (845) 628-0672. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: www.mahopaclibrary.org.

  REED MEMORIAL LIBRARY:
  1733 Route 6, Carmel NY 10512.
  Tel: (845) 225-2439. FAX: (845) 225-1634.
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: Reed Library

• Village of Cold Spring

  VILLAGE HISTORIAN: 
  Mark Forlow
  21 Surprise Lake Rd, Cold Spring NY 10516
  (914) 548-8411
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Village Clerk: Jeff Vidakovich
  87 Main Street
  Cold Spring NY 10516
  (845) 265-3611 FAX: (845) 265-1002
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM:
  63 Chestnut Street, Cold Spring NY 10516.
  (845) 265-4010 FAX: (845)265-2884
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Web site: www.PutnamHistoryMuseum.org
  Executive Director: Cassie Ward

  BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY:
  10 Morris Ave., Cold Spring NY 10516
  Tel: (845) 265-3040. FAX: (845) 265-4852.
  E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website : www.butterfieldlibrary.org

• Village of Brewster

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Village Clerk Michelle Diebold
  208 East Main Street, Brewster NY 10509
  (845) 279-3760
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  SOUTHEAST MUSEUM,
  67 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509
  (845) 279-7500 FAX (845)279-1992
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Web site: http://www.southeastmuseum.org
  Executive Director: 

  BREWSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY,
  79 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509.
  Tel: (845) 279-6421. FAX: (845) 279-0043
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: www.brewsterlibrary.org

• Town of Kent

  TOWN HISTORIAN:
  J. S. Rohrig
  25 Sybil’s Crossing, Kent Lakes NY 10512.
  Tel: (845) 306-5589
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Town Clerk: Yolanda D. Cappelli
  Kent Town Hall
  25 Sybil’s Crossing, Kent Lakes NY 10512
  Tel.: (845) 225-2067 FAX: (845) 225-5130
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  KENT HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
  President: Cark Darling
  PO Box 123 Carmel, New York 10512
  Tel: (845) 225-8366
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  KENT PUBLIC LIBRARY:
  17 Sybil’s Crossing, Kent Lakes NY 10512. Tel: (845) 225-8585. FAX: (845) 225-8549
  E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  Website : www.kentlibrary.org.

• Patterson

  TOWN HISTORIAN:
  Dr. Larry A. Maxwell
  595 Route 311, Patterson NY 12563
  Tel.: (845) 878-4160
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Town Clerk: Donna Ramos
  1142 Route 311, P.O. Box 470
  Patterson NY 12563
  (845) 878-6500 FAX (845) 878-6343
  E:mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  PATTERSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
  P.O. Box 534, Patterson, NY 12563.
  www.pattersonhistoricalsociety.org
  President: Ron Taylor
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: www.pattersonhistoricalsociety.org

  PATTERSON PUBLIC LIBRARY:
  P.O. Box 418, 1167 Route 311
  Patterson NY 12563.
  Tel : (845) 878-6121. FAX : (845) 878-3116.
  Website : www.pattersonlibrary.org

• Town of Putnam Valley

  TOWN HISTORIAN:
  Daniel T. Ricci
  265 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley NY 10579 Tel: (845) 526-2121
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Kathy Diomede, Interm Town Clerk
  265 Oscawana Lake Road
  Putnam Valley NY 10579
  Tel.: (845) 526-3280 FAX: (845) 526-2130
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

  PUTNAM VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
  301 Peekskill Hollow Road, P.O. Box 297, Putnam Valley NY 10579
  Tel: (845) 528-1024
  Executive Director: Gretchen Weiglein
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  PUTNAM VALLEY FREE LIBRARY:
  P.O. Box 425, 30 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley NY 10579
  Tel: (845) 528-3242 ; FAX: (845) 528-3297
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website : www.putnamvalleylibrary.org.

• Town of Southeast

  TOWN HISTORIAN:
  John Alcot
  Town of Souteast
  1360 Route 22
  Brewster NY 10509
  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER:
  Town Clerk Kathleen Chiudina
  P.O. Box O. Brewster NY 10509
  (845) 279-2196 FAX (945) 279-4399
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  SOUTHEAST MUSEUM
  67 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509
  (845) 279-7500 FAX (845)279-1992
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Web site: http://www.southeastmuseum.org
  Executive Director: 

  BREWSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
  79 Main Street, Brewster NY 10509.
  Tel: (845) 279-6421. FAX: (845) 279-0043
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website : www.brewsterlibrary.org.

Department of Public Works (DPW)

Putnam County

Mission Statement

Contact Department of Public Works (DPW)

• Office | 845.878.6331

• Fax | 845.808.1908

• Email |  Send us a message

• Address | 842 Fair Street
  Carmel, NY 10512

• Services Offered
• County Roads
• Permits
• MS4/Stormwater
• Contact
• News

Department of Public Works (DPW)

Services Offered

• Automotive Maintenance

  The Automotive Division of Putnam County maintains a fleet of over 300, vehicles not counting vehicle attachments, small engine tools and mowers. Our qualified mechanics weld, do bodywork, paint, diagnose and repair. These vehicles include the Sheriff Department’s unmarked and marked patrol units, Department of Social Services, Office for the Aging buses, Health Department vehicles, as well as the Highway Department’s heavy equipment to name a few.
  Along with doing major repairs, our Division is accountable for performing the preventative maintenance on these vehicles on a regular basis. We have NYS Certified inspectors on staff assuring our vehicles meet the safety standards set by New York State. Our dedicated employees are willing to respond to any problems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which giving all County employees the security in knowing that help is just a phone call away.

  Learn More

• Facilities

  The facilities division is responsible for the planning, design, operations, maintenance, construction, and general administration of the County’s 39 buildings and various properties. The division consistently addresses verbal, written, or scheduled work orders for a variety of maintenance and repair tasks. The division is responsible for 5 park and rides, 9 radio towers, 27 standby generators with remote monitoring along with building management systems. The Division’s workforce consists of highly skilled tradesman licensed in Electrical, HVAC, Carpentry and Plumbing disciplines.

• Fiscal

  The Fiscal Division is directly involved with all aspects of Highways & Facilities that relate to funding issues. Annual operating and on-going capital project budgets are prepared. The Highway Department administers all major capital construction projects and most Federal Highway Administration/New York State construction projects on County roads and bridges. The Highway Department also administers many facility construction projects that involve grant reimbursement from various other agencies. These road, bridge and facility construction projects require that we work with Law, Audit, Finance, Purchasing and Personnel at the County level and the Department of Transportation & Emergency Management, at the State level. For specific type grants, we work with the Governor’s Office for Small Cities and the Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation in Albany and the Office of Housing & Urban Development in Washington, DC.

  Our dedicated Fiscal Staff contributes greatly to keeping the department running smoothly.

  Click to View Contracts

• Planning & Design (Engineering)

  The Division of Planning & Design provides engineering, planning and technical support services for the Department of public works. These services include engineering and architectural design, land surveying, generation of contract and bid documents (including drafting of plans), construction support and inspection, and contract administration. It is the Division’s responsibility to deliver these services in a professional manner that ensures quality and economy in the designed project.

  Additional duties of the Division include administering the County’s highway work permit program, pavement and bridge management systems, and traffic count program;

  Maintenance of the Division’s maps, drawings, records and aerial photography; research for Freedom of Information requests and litigation cases; and coordination with the Department’s design consultants.

• Pothole Reporting Form

  There are various types of street defects but the most common are cave-ins/sinkholes, cracking, drainage issues and potholes:

  • Cave-ins/Sinkholes-Depressions within the surface of the roadway typically caused by undermining
  • Cracking -Cracks along the surface of the roadway that penetrate through the asphalt layer
  • Drainage Issues -Water remaining on the roadway that fails to drain properly through normal means
  • Potholes -Bowl-shaped or irregular shaped holes in the asphalt layer of the roadway

  Click to Report a Street Defect

• Projects

  Click here to see the current projects that we are working on.

  Read more

• Road Maintenance & Construction

  The Construction and Maintenance Division is comprised of workers ranging from laborers to heavy equipment operators. This Division is responsible for over 200 miles of roads from the Hudson River to the Connecticut border. These faithful employees will respond on a moments notice to any emergency situation which might occur on our highways 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In conjunction with snow and ice removal, these workers maintain the roadways by installing drainage pipes and basins, repairing guide rail, cutting and trimming roadside vegetation and many other projects.

  This Division is appreciative to have these dedicated workers on its staff to serve the motoring public of Putnam County.

• Sign Shop

  The Putnam County Sign Shop’s number one priority is maintaining the traffic signals along with regulatory and warning signs on the County’s 117.77 miles of roads. With our state of the art Sign Shop we fabricate all the signs needed to ensure the pedestrian / motoring public that travels through Putnam County the highest quality of reflective signs available.

  We also maintain all the pavement markings on our road system. Together with stop bars, railroad crossings, crosswalks, etc. We are also responsible for keeping all our facilities parking lots marked and in accordance with ADA standards.

  We manufacture and apply various decals for a wide range of applications from Police vehicles to window directories. Our responsibility includes signage of all the buildings owned by Putnam County. Our signs are in compliance with ADA and we have the capability fabricating our own Braille signs.
  In an effort to conserve resources we work in partnership with our Towns and Villages within our county and supply them with their sign needs in a timely manner.
  In partnership with our Towns and Villages, our goal is to provide the motoring public a safe journey through Putnam County.

County Roads

Announcements & Current Road Closures

for details about State road closures, visit 511ny.org by clicking here.

CLICK TO VIEW LARGER MAP

Road Permits

Are planning to do any work on or along a County road?

Applications & Permits

Stormwater Management / MS4

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT

News & Press Release

Snake Hill Rd Culvert Replacement Project Form

Putnam County Department of Public Works (DPW)

Mission Statement

Contact Department of Public Works (DPW)

• Office | 845.878.6331

• Fax | 845.808.1908

• Email |  Send us a message

• Address | 842 Fair Street
  Carmel, NY 10512

• Services Offered
• County Roads
• Permits
• MS4/Stormwater
• Contact
• News

Department of Health

Putnam County

A PHAB Accredited Health Department

• News & Events
• About
• Contact Us
• Community Health Assessment
• Health Home

Parents of Newborns

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Being a new parent can be a wild experience. Here at the Putnam County Department of Health, we want to help you and your family navigate this exciting time. That’s why we created this website just for you.

New Parent Support Groups through the health department:

• Mahopac Library, located at 668 Route 6 in Mahopac, in the Lakeview Room, Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

New Parent Support Groups by Community Partners:

• Hudson Valley Hospital Center (open to Putnam County residents.) This Breastfeeding Support Group is led by Certified Lactation Consultants. Registration is required by calling 914-734-3257.
• Desmond-Fish Library. Tuesdays at 11am, in person. More information can be found on their website.
• Baby Café by Healthy Families at 155 Main Street in Brewster. Held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 11 a.m. English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

BACK TO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HOME

Contact Us

• Phone

  845-808-1390

• Fax

  845-278-7921

• Fax (Nursing)

  845-279-4104

• Toll free (TTY) for the Deaf, Hard
  of Hearing, and Speech Impaired

  Dial 7-1-1 or 800-662-1220

• Email

  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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