Tag Archives: Sojourner Truth State Park

Family Fun, Hiking, State History

Sojourner Truth Day: Community Food Drive Celebrates Trailblazing Park Namesake

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Named in honor of the life and legacy of the 19th-century African American abolitionist and suffragist, Sojourner Truth State Park in the Hudson Valley is one of the newest acquisitions to the New York state park and historic site system. First announced in 2022, the park reclaims more than 500 acres of Hudson River shoreline land shared by the City of Kingston and the Town of Ulster. It opened to the public the following year.

Sojourner Truth was born Isabella Baumfree (also known as Bomefree) in 1797, enslaved among Dutch people in Ulster County. A dynamic human rights advocate, she “walked away by day-light,” freeing herself from slavery one year before legal enslavement ended in New York. Her accomplishments and vital contributions to American history are recognized not only with the park’s naming, but also with the installation of a bronze statue at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, created by sculptor Vinnie Bagwell.

Governor Hochul designated November 26 as Sojourner Truth Day in New York State last year, and we can’t wait to share our plans to celebrate this trailblazing New Yorker with you.  

Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree in 1797, was an Ulster County native and a leader in the abolition and suffrage movements. This bronze statue of her can be found at Walkway Over the Hudson State Park. In 2022, a new park named in her honor was announced. The park is celebrating its first Sojourner Truth Day on Nov. 22.
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2024 Centennial Celebration, history, Park History, Recreation, Stewardship

A Vision for the Future: The Final Chapter of ‘Blazing A Trail’ 

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The final chapter of the interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites, has been released, completing the chronicling and sharing of our agency’s history in celebration of our Centennial anniversary. In detailing the future of New York State Parks and our ongoing efforts, we hope that this era leaves you inspired to not only learn more, but to take an active role in shaping the future of our park and historic site system. In the final installment of this eight-era series, “Tomorrow & Beyond” explores how New York State Parks will combat climate change, expand access to our parks and sites, share previously undertold history, use new technology, and improve and expand our system of 250 state parks, historic sites, golf courses, and boat launches. 

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2024 Centennial Celebration, Park History

A New Millennium: ‘Blazing A Trail’ Covers New York State Parks’ Recent Past  

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Following our Centennial anniversary, we continue to share the story of New York State Parks and Historic Sites through our interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites. Our latest addition to the series covers the 21st century history of New York’s state park and historic site system. “A New Millennium” details a new era of leadership, the threat of park closures, the creation of vital community partnerships, the impact of climate change, and vital investments in the late-2010s that helped position New York as a nationwide recreation destination.

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history, Nature Centers, Park History, State History

The Women Of New York State Parks

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If you’ve ever drifted off to sleep at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park or gone to a nature program at Minna Anthony Common Nature Center and wondered about their namesakes, this post is for you! During Women’s History Month, let’s explore the stories of writers, activists, politicians, and ordinary women who have lent their names to state parks and nature centers.

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