ABOUT US

 

Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot (FOFSD):
is a non-profit [501(c)3] organization advocating the Preservation, Study, and Proper Interpretation of the Fishkill Supply Depot and Encampment.

Used by the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, the land that remains of the Fishkill Supply Depot is currently threatened by commercial development and our mission is to save it and the soldiers buried there for future generations to come.

The FOFSD organizational body consists of nine (9) board members called "trustees" and a active membership of over 400 volunteers (friends). At our annual meeting held January 28, 2012, the following individuals were elected as the new FOFSD Board of Trustees.

The FOFSD Board of Trustees:

(select a trustee to view their bio)
Old Route 9

19th century photograph of Old Route 9
and the Fishkill Supply Depot

 

After joining FOFSD as a volunteer in August 2009, Lance Ashworth was voted president in January 2010, a position he has held ever since. Under Lance's direction, FOFSD has met with significant milestones, including but not limited to achieving federal 501[c](3) not-for-profit status; increasing the group's financial account balance by six-fold; expanding strategic relationships to include Representative Hayworth along with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand; partnering on a national level with groups such as the Preservation Society of the American Revolution (PSAR); developing an organizational roadmap; and, organizing the group into three working committees. Lance wishes to continue work already begun by serving as an FOFSD board member an additional two (2) years.

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Mike is a former judge, attorney, corporate executive, author and radio host. He has a BA in history from Stony Brook University. He is a co founder if the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot and their Facebook administrator as well as a trustee.

I would like to continue my work with the group having handled the group's incorporation and creation of the Facebook page which now has over 600 friends. I will also continue to write articles, blogs and letters to the editor about the Depot. I will also continue to promote the Depot on my radio show.

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I am a life-long Hudson Valley resident and an Historical recreator. Having been born in Stony Point NY and exposed to a local Revolutionary war battlefield, as well as having a Grandfather who introduced me to historical music, it is only a natural occurrence for me to have become interested in the History of the local region.

I seek a position on the FOFSD board because I have an intense dedication to local history and historical sites as well as the fact that this site has very special historical and patriotic interest to me personally. Newly discovered records of some of my ancestors place them at the Fishkill Depot on Guard at the Graveyards. I cannot express how I feel to be so connected to something that I have been doing for over 35 years and now find I am a true connection to it all.

I can offer my past experiences with organizing events, designing programs of Historical interest, communicating with other groups and organizations for the purpose of keeping the Fishkill Supply Depot in the public's eyes and ears. I believe Historical presentations and other programs that I can assist with, will serve the FOFSD's efforts well and wish to help them achieve their goals.

-In 1975 I joined a re-enactment group called the Orange County Militia (aka. Shore Guard) and quickly became involved in event organization. I was Quartermaster and Corresponding Secretary for a number of years.

-From 1990 to this day, I perform as a Revolutionary War Soldier as well as a Blacksmith and have done so at numerous museum and historical sites within the state. I have taught both adults and children in the skills of an earlier time.

-In 2001 I became a co-founder of the 5thNY Regiment, which was an outgrowth of the old militia group. It is this group that I now belong to and that which many have seen at the VanWyck Homestead honoring the Graves of those at the Fishkill Depot burial site. I hold the position currently of Safety Officer and have been their President these past 2 years. I have also written their Safety rules, organized their IRS re-organization and perform training tasks for their Artillery.

We have precious little time to save the Fishkill Supply Depot burial site. It would be my Honor and Privilege to be part of those efforts.

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Born in Troy, raised in Demarest NJ, and graduated with a business degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown, I moved to Philipstown in 2006. Positions in publishing, personnel, and sales led to a desktop publishing and resume business in Manhattan. Co-wrote The Clinton Community Garden Cookbook and authored Garden Your City (2005). Volunteered with Parks and NYPD. As a community activist, helped save Pier 84 with grants and lobbied for legislation that created the Hudson River Park. Traveled for historic and horticultural research in Ireland (2004) and England (2009). Appeared on two HGTV episodes, 20/20, lectured at The Philadelphia International Flower Show (2006-2010) and continue to lecture for organizations and write a weekly gardening column.

Founding member of Manitoga's Woodland Landscape Council, created "History Rode" to foster roadside beautification, and commissioned to design the "World Garden" for the International Social Justice Commission (Salvation Army) in New York City. Certified by the Quality Deer Management Association as a Deer Steward in 2010 and as a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward Host in 2011.

Reasons for seeking membership

From my website: Every place you stand has history... There is history made by who once lived, passed through, fought and or died or maybe the history lies in the geology, myth, or mystery of a place. My experience in historical garden research and reconstruction, coupled by the excitement of now living a mere couple of hundred feet from where General Washington rode and a few miles south of the Fishkill Supply Depot, are two reasons why I want to be involved in the resurrection of this most exceptional site. I am very impressed with this organization and its mission.

Researching the past of the places I have lived and designed gardens for have revealed fascinating history of the people who lived and visited there and land uses: from a visit by Princess Grace to identifying an oft-seen co-op's ghost (Rev. Janes), to discovering the plant list of Gen. Garrit Striker (grants funded the reconstruction of his gardens), and causing a newly unveiled golf museum. After moving from Manhattan to Putnam County in 2006, "running into" Major John Andre on my property and Benjamin Franklin who visited the Hudson River island where Anna Warner wrote the first gardening bestseller. Research begins with an excitement of delving into the unknown coupled with the desire to "save" history. My passion and respect for the past sparks an urgency to preserve and restore what we can to pass along for the future.

I hope that my past experiences in winning so-called lost causes and my writing, public speaking, and gardening skills can be put to use for the good of the Fishkill Supply Depot.

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I am a Senior Technology Advisor for Affiliated Computer Services/Xerox Corporation. I joined the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot in 2009 and I am currently serving on the Board of Trustees.

I have always been highly interested in history, particularly the Revolutionary War and Civil War. I believe that the Fishkill Supply Depot site should be acknowledged and preserved as the largest continental army cemetery in the United States.

I am honored to be involved in this endeavor and I look forward to the day when we will be able to give our first United States Veterans the full military honor that they deserve.

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Overview of my professional history:

All positions required significant research and grant proposals. The benefits of the experience gained in these positions will hopefully be of help to the FSD as it moves thru the process of defining and obtaining its goals. I have been doing research for the Depot and will certainly continue to do so. It is rare that an entity of this magnitude was so lost to history.

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In 2007, I was part of a small team of archaeologists that discovered seven soldiers' graves in a shallow trench within sight of the Maya cafe. The thought that they lay there for 230 odd years without any recognition, struck me as wrong then and that feeling has grown stronger over the years. When I joined the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot the welcome I received was overwhelming. We backfilled and restored a lot of the site. We published and lectured at conferences and historical groups. The Rev. War Weekends let us show the site to over 600 folks. The support for Wreaths was so great it is on You Tube. Thank you for considering me for another term on your Board. I am a Registered Professional Archaeologist with 37 years experience. Win, lose, or draw, I look forward to helping you save, preserve and protect the Fishkill Supply Depot.

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I retired as assessor for the Town of Fishkill in December, 2006. I joined the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot in 2009 and I am currently serving as Treasurer of The Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot.

I have always had an interest in local history with regard to the Hudson Valley and I look forward to continuing my participation with FoFSD.

We need to save this historically significant property now-before it is too late.

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I joined FOFSD in 2010 and the Executive Board in March 2011 as Secretary. I have co-chaired events and manned booths at community events to educate the public about the Depot and our mission. I have also attended various historical preservation conferences and workshops related to our goals and the history of the area. I am also co-chair of the Historical Research Team.

I have volunteered with non-profits for over 30 years, holding many positions/offices including being co-founder and co-president of a historical society to save an 18th century home. It has been a pleasure working with the Executive Board this year and I hope we will be able to remain in these positions. I look forward to continuing the work I am doing with FOFSD long after our goals are met.

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