Rediscover History
Columbia County Historical Society
What's on this fall
First Columbians 2026
June 13, 2026
5-7 pm at the James Vanderpoel House.
16 Broad Street, Kinderhook Village
Lynn Strunk Memorial Tea Party
Sunday, November 16, 2-4pm – in the newly reinstalled Vanderpoel House Museum, space will be limited, reserve your seat soon! $50 per person. Call 518 758-9265.
Sunday April 19, 12:30pm: Kinderhook Library, 18 Hudson St, Kinderhook
Talk by Gregg Berninger, Ghent Town Historian. Plan on arriving early, space is limited! Gregg will take a look at two hundred and fifty years of Ghent history through the truth of what the founding father’s saw as self-evident. Like every town in the county and country, the history of Ghent has been mostly steady progress toward “all men are created equal”. From enslavement to suffrage to wealth inequality, this far-ranging talk will make you rethink the past and the present in the terms laid out in the summer of 1776.
Thursday, May 7, 2026 Ghent–Chatham Trivia Night at Chatham Brewing
The Columbia County Historical Society is excited to announce the first‑ever Ghent–Chatham Trivia Night at Chatham Brewing on May 7 at 7 pm. Join Ghent Town Historian Gregg Berninger for a spirited evening of questions exploring the shared past and present of the two towns.
Participants can expect a fun, fast‑moving mix of local history, surprising facts, and friendly competition. Guaranteed fun—and guaranteed you’ll leave knowing more than you did when you arrived. Prizes will be awarded throughout the night.
Come test your knowledge, learn something new, and enjoy a great evening with neighbors at Chatham Brewing.
Teams limited to five members. Feel free to come alone and make a team with others attending.
Sunday, May 17, 2026. Canaan Town Historian Dodie Gearing. 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. VanBuren Hall, Kinderhook Village
“The Wolf’s Path
Revolutionary War Soldiers of King’s District”
Putt Through The Past
The National Union Bank of Kinderhook: A Village Institution
The Knox Train Comes Through Kinderhook!
2025 Annual Appeal
Your generosity supports our mission to preserve, interpret, and present the history and culture of Columbia County, NY.
39th Annual Gallery of Wreaths
A Silent Auction to Benefit the Columbia County Historical Society. December 5 – December 7, 2025. James Vanderpoel House
The Columbia County Historical Society collects, preserves, interprets and shares the history and culture of Columbia County, New York.
More Resources
Research Library
History & Heritage Magazine
Drive Through History
Become a Member
Get free access to our historic properties and library, discounts at our museum shop, reciprocal benefits to partner museums, and more — all while championing the preservation of Columbia County history.
Support CCHS. Support History.
History is in your own backyard and right around the corner! Join us and discover how history can help us better understand our community, current events and the world at large.
There’s no time like the present to rediscover the past!
Support CCHS
Your tax-deductible donation to the Columbia County Historical Society helps ensure our local history is preserved for generations to come. Learn about all the ways you can support our mission.
