Part of the on-going efforts
to
SAVE and PRESERVE
a Dutchess County CEMETERY!
&
A piece of Dutchess County
HISTORY!
|
P O Box 243 Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
November 8, 2002 Honorable William R. Steinhaus
Re: Dutchess County
Dear County Executive Steinhaus: Over recent weeks, I have been following with great interest the matters regarding future plans for the Dutchess County Infirmary Site. I am pleased that the Legislature has passed the resolution insuring that the Infirmary Site will be retained by the County as an Eastern Dutchess County Services Center. As you know, the Infirmary Site was formerly the site of the Dutchess County Alms House/Poor House and located on the site is a Potter's Field. Over recent years I have been endeavoring to document this burial site and those who may be buried within its boundaries for future generations . The downtrodden of Dutchess County who resided at the Alms House commencing in 1863/64 and may be buried in the Potter's Field should not be forgotten. If we only know the history of the rich and famous, we don't know our history at all. My research to-date has revealed that very little of the history of the Poor House inhabitants and those buried in the Potter's Field is known or has been documented. The records corresponding to the numbered burials in the Potter's Field have been misplaced or lost. How large an area does the Potter's Field encompass? What are its boundaries? How many burials are there? Will the county insure that those buried in the Potter's Field rest in peace and with dignity in perpetuity? I write you today to offer Dutchess County the opportunity to be pro-active in regard to the Potter's Field located in the southeast corner of the Infirmary Site. Professor Brian G. McAdoo of the Vassar College Department of Geology & Geography is interested in his 2003 Fall Semester Advanced Geophysics class conducting a geophysical survey at the Potter's Field Site similar in scope to the project they recently performed in Ulster County. Upon learning of Professor McAdoo's involvement with the Ulster County Poorhouse Cemetery site, I contacted him to ascertain his interest in performing a similar project with his students on the Dutchess County site. His enthusiastic, affirmative reply resulted in his providing me with a copy of the enclosed report his 2001 students prepared for the Ulster County legislature in regard to the Ulster County site and his offer of his Fall 2003 performing a similar project on the Dutchess County site. I urge you to review the enclosed "Geophysical Survey of the Ulster County Fairgrounds (Formerly the Ulster County Poorhouse)" as it pertains to the use of the non-invasive geophysical techniques utilized to detect physical properties of the soil that indicate burials and to contact Professor McAdoo at your earliest convenience to arrange a similar project on the Dutchess County Potter Field site. It is my hope that Professor McAdoo's students geophysical survey combined with my ongoing research can provide Dutchess County with documentation on the history of the Alms House/Poorhouse and its Potter's Field. These endeavors would provide insight into a large piece of Dutchess County History which needs to be preserved for future generations. Little do we know how many, or the identity of, individuals buried in the Potter's Field and their contributions to the history of Dutchess County. Professor McAdoo and I are willing to make ourselves available to you, or any individuals you should wish to appoint in this regard, at your earliest convenience and look forward to hearing from you in regard to how we may work together to preserve this important part of Dutchess County History and the Infirmary Site/Potter's Field. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely,
Virginia A. Buechele
Enclosure
Brian G. McAdoo
|
