The Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College is the academic arm of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. Its mission is to study and to promote the Hudson River Valley and to provide educational resources for heritage tourists, scholars, elementary school educators, environmental organizations, the business community, and the general public. Its many projects include the publication of the Hudson River Valley Review and the management of a dynamic digital library and leading regional portal site. Learn more about HRVI, and the Hudson River Valley, at www.hudsonrivervalley.org.
Don't know if you remember me or not. I stayed at your house back in 2004, At the time i was hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the Neuropathy Ass. I completed my hike on Oct,2nd 2004, Steve Cozza
Well done Kevin! This cemetery has always been a place of wonder for me. It is so peaceful and well manicured. As a teenager, friends and I would go to the monument on the hill and sit overlooking the river. I've taken my children there as well. The duck pond was always a fun place to visit with my children and grandchildren. My dad and brother are placed in niches overlooking the river, which will also be final resting places for me and my mother. Thank you for this beautiful video of such a treasured place.
Thank you Kevin! Loved watching this. I'm a "Mid-Hudson Valley girl" now on Long Island. My hubby was a Math instructor at Marist years ago. I grew up in the Spackenkill district of Poughkeepsie (the graduating class 1974). My parents are buried in the Pok rural cemetery as our dear friends/ family friends. You are correct that a place like Poughkeepsie Rural has history/ beauty and calmness. FYI , My brother lived in the House by the front of the cemetery years ago! Thanks again for a great video.
I agree with Penny Mckenna ~ This is a professional presentation worthy of PBS. Alex's sense of history is grand, and his ability to explain and teach, incorporating music and video, is professional. The sound of Alex's voice is as pleasing as his music. Thank you, Alex, I look forward to your writing as well!
I was thoroughly captured by the presentation of the human and park space subjects of this production - the music, the photography, the narration - delighted by the talent of these landscape architects and their legacy in Orange County and Manhattan - impressed by the work and talent that blossomed into this video podcast. Thank you, Alex.
Thank you Alex. I am a descendent of John Olmsted who came to America in 1632 and was one of the founders of Hartford and Fairfield CT. Spending hours putting together our genealogy. Frederick Law Olmsted is related to John. So excited to see this video. Thanks again.
Remarkable Work Alex !!!! Having a residence on Grand Street, Newburgh, I was very interested in the original Architecture on Grand Street. Jim and I often walk through the Historic District in Newburgh and now we will see it with very different eyes, Thanks to you..... Bravo my friend ! Loved this.... Ron Johnson
Fascinating Alex, you are a wonderful storyteller. I love all the research that you put into every podcast that you do, and always look forward to seeing more…… PS when I was growing up, each summer we would meet many relatives at the family cemetery, that was also public, for a cleanup and a blanket picnic. I smiled when you mentioned families picnicking at cemeteries.
Beautifully written, narrated, performed and filmed. Alex draws you into this slice of history not only with high quality research, but also with his gift for weaving a story and music making. Bravo!
Had someone shared this video to me as a fascinating history piece from PBS, I would not have questioned it a bit. This historical piece has everything to both hold the interest of the watcher and pique their interest in learning more. I think a successful documentary experience pulls at the audience in a personal way which is accomplished beautifully by it’s creator through the many side facts and linkages beyond the specific scope of the video. As a Buffalonian, Olmstead is held in very high esteem and some new understandings were gleaned. Alex is a natural delivering a smooth focused monologue. The production values and use of art, photos and news sources enhanced. Segueing between Alex and Dr Kowsky worked smoothly. Any review of this work could not be complete without mention of another of the creator’s talents; music. The cello and choice of compositions were a perfect backdrop throughout the presentation enhancing the momentum and providing a peaceful experience as Olmsteads focus endeavored to create. I sure do look forward to more as this young man’s career grows expansively.
Excellent video history brimming with fascinating facts and information! If I’m not mistaken, this historian, an accomplished musician, has recorded himself playing some of the beautiful cello background music. I am so looking forward to his next video.
HRVI has produced additional videos with another intern which you can find on this channel (and we hope you will take a look). Viewers can also find more of Alex's great work through his website at: alexprizgintas.com/radio-alex/
Outstanding overview of the history in delightful detail. It was a pleasure to hear it in its entirety. What an exceptional piece of work. Thank you. Hope to find more of your work in the future.
I always knew about Vaux's connection to the Middletown cemetery, but never heard about Olmsted's part! The way this video begins at the cemetery, detailing the cemetery movement begun earlier in 1830 and following up how Andrew Jackson Downing mentored Vaux and Olmsted is simply amazing. This video weaves a wonderful story that takes you on an amazing journey detailing the meeting of three great minds, two of which (Vaux and Olmsted) would later produce New York City's Central Park--all at the same time Hillside Cemetery was being designed and landscaped! Thank you.
