History Resources

The (searchable and sortable) table below aggregates many links to Upper Nyack history information. Use the search field to find things, (e.g. "hook"). Note that there are many ways to learn more, including: the Village's Homepage, the Historical Society of the Nyacks, Nyack Library, and more. The Upper Nyack History Map allows you to explore notable places on a map of the Village. Or, read about the Bradley Estate (also found in the Resources table below). You can view the Native Lands interactive map of indigenous tribes around Upper Nyack.

* this list is not complete; B.Batson, M.Hays, W.Perry and others have written extensively about the Nyacks on their respective platforms.

Native Land map

See Native Land for an interactive map of Indigenous tribes around Upper Nyack. Explore the map by clicking, panning and zooming.

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Goosetown

Did you know that Upper Nyack is also known as "Goosetown"?

In 1909, the village was known locally as "Goosetown", probably due to a Colonel Vose, who lived on Highmount Avenue and kept geese which he drove daily down to the river, thus giving the thought that Upper Nyack was full of/for the birds. The slogan "Goosetown against the world" was adopted in 1909 due to a local dispute.
(via Wikipedia)

Credits

- selected historical photos via the Upper Nyack 100th Anniversary docs (see Village Hall)
- selected History Map text by historian Winston Perry, and Michael Hays (see references on Pins). Further thanks to Richard Kroll, John Colgan, and the Upper Nyack 150 team
- UN 150 Kickoff photos by Meghan Donovan, Ben Falchuk, and Andrea B. Swenson
- "Still Here" Event photos by Lisa Levert, Andrea B. Swenson, and Myles Aronowitz
- Palmer walking tour archive scans by Ilana Davidson
- Block Party photos by Andrea B. Swenson (@andreabswenson)
- Needlework photos by Ben Falchuk
- some icons via flaticon, freepik
- website designed and coded by Ben Falchuk (email)

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Credits

- Based on original map by Jeff Tangredi, 2003 (revised in 2022)
- Layout and Scans of Tagredi docs by Ilana Davidson
- Historical marker image via Village of Upper Nyack Comprehensive Plan, April 2021
- Tour designed by Winston C Perry
- Tour adapted for web by Ben Falchuk

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Upper Nyack History Events

Founded in 1872, the Village of Upper Nyack celebrated it's 150th birthday in 2022-2023. A series of "count-down" community events were staged as well as a Block Party celebration to mark the day hosted by Mayor Tarapata. Browse the events and associated media below (the most recent events appear at the top).

  Sunday March 19, 2023 - Chamber Concert Series continues at the Old Stone Meeting House in Upper Nyack, featuring the music of J.S.Bach performed by Ilana Davidson, Krista Bennion Feeney, Jessica Troy and John Feeney.  See the event poster. 

  Sunday October 9, 2022 - Chamber Concert Series continues at the Old Stone Meeting House in Upper Nyack, featuring the music of Frescobaldi, Ben-Haim, Ravel, and more.  The event features Ilana Davidson, Laura Gilbert, Tomina Parvanova Lyden, and Jonathan Bagg.  See the event poster. 

  Saturday October 1, 2022 - Upper Nyack 150 (sesquicentennial) Block Party Celebration!! More info here.  See the event photo gallery here (opens a new tab/window). See further Upper Nyack 150 media assets on Instagram and Facebook .

  Saturday June 18, 2022 - "Still Here: Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation" is a site-specific environmental installation of the women's epic portraits nestled amongst the landscape of River Hook's natural sanctuary. As part of Upper Nyack's 150th Anniversary Celebration, the Village wishes to acknowledge that Upper Nyack sits within the traditional homeland of the Ramapough Lenape Nation. See the event poster.  See an online gallery of photos here (opens a new tab/window).

  Sunday May 15, 2022 - Serenata Chamber Concert Series at the Old Stone Meeting House in Upper Nyack; the music of Shubert, O'Connor, Purcell, Haydn, Dohnanyi; Featuring Jesse Mills, Tanner Menees, Joel Noyes, and Ilana Davidson. Tickets via Momence.com. See the event poster. See an online gallery here (opens a new tab/window). 

  Sunday May 1, 2022 - Selected Upper Nyack 150th logo designs from the creative minds of Nyack High School art students are displayed at the Haring House (RiverHook Preserve) during the [Friends of Riverhook | Upper Nyack 150] Arbor Day festivities 

  Saturday September 25, 2021, 11am - 1pm - Free kickoff for Countdown to 150 at River Hook Hester Haring Cason Preserve. Talks, tours, refreshments, and music. More info here. Online photo gallery here (opens a new tab/window).

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