This illustrated talk will focus on the Glenham and Groveville textile mills on the banks of Fishkill Creek, in the period when they were owned and operated by NYC dry goods scion, Alexander T. Stewart from ca. 1860s to the late 19th century. Artifacts and images from the Beacon Historical Society’s collection, combined with other historical resources will document Stewart’s role in manufacturing wool and carpets in these local facilities.  Join us for a look at when now-Beacon played a role in American industrialization through these textile factories and their employees.

Our presenter Dr. Sarah Johnson is an American historian with a career in public history, museums, and higher education. She served as the Putnam County Historian and as Executive Director of the Putnam History Museum in Cold Spring, NY. She currently serves as a member of the steering committee of an EU research group based at the University of Brighton in the UK, and is at work on a book.