Columbia County Celebrates America 250
THREE DAYS OF HISTORY BROUGHT TO LIFE with Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk
Columbia County will mark America’s 250th anniversary with three days of history brought to life by master storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Presented in period costume, the interactive, family-friendly performances will explore the people, places and events that connected Columbia County to the American Revolution.
The series begins at 5:30pm Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Hudson Middle School auditorium with “Tales of the Chancellor and Revolution.” Kruk will portray Chancellor Robert R. Livingston while tracing New York’s road to revolution, the creation of the state constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the turbulent years at Clermont. The program will also feature large-format prints of the restored Livingston Manor maps.
At 1pm Saturday, Oct. 10, “Revolutionary Columbia County!” comes to the Vanderpoel House in Kinderhook. Through stories of the burning of Clermont and other Patriot homes, Benedict Arnold, British Gen. John Burgoyne, Stockbridge Mohican leader Daniel Nimham and Henry Van Schaack, Kruk will reveal the county’s varied connections to the Revolution. Folk balladeer Linda Russell will provide live music.
The series concludes at 1pm Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Historic Livingston Church in Clermont with “The Burning of Clermont,” recounting the British destruction of the Livingston estate in 1777 and how Mrs. Livingston saved more than the family silver. Steve Kelman will provide live musical accompaniment.
Known as the Hudson Valley’s storyteller, Kruk has performed full time since 1989 at thousands of schools, libraries, festivals and historic sites. Best known for his solo productions of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “A Christmas Carol,” he has appeared on “TODAY,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Good Morning America,” the Travel Channel and the BBC. He holds a master’s degree in educational theater from New York University and received the Exemplary Public History Award and the Daughters of the American Revolution Appreciation Medal in 2025.
