Five Things To Do In Dutchess County

Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum’s new special exhibition - Black Americans, Civil Rights, and the Roosevelts, 1932-1962 - 3 June 2023 - 31 December 2024

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, America’s first presential library and museum, encompasses the Roosevelts and the United States’ historic relationship with the United Kingdom during WWII and offers self-guided tours of their extensive immersive displays. In addition to their permanent collection, the museum will present a new special exhibition on Black Americans, civil rights, and the Roosevelts. Opening 3 June, 2023, the exhibit highlights the historical voices of many Black community leaders, wartime service members, and ordinary citizens who engaged the Roosevelt administration directly and who pushed for progress. Within this context, the exhibit examines the political evolution of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt regarding racial justice.

From the Great Depression and New Deal, through World War II and the post war movement, Black Americans, Civil Rights, and the Roosevelts offers critical perspectives on, and assessments of, the administration’s policies and practices, and of the Roosevelts themselves. A compelling story emerges, one of Black Americans organising and expanding national networks of political allies to create new opportunities for social justice, and to combat Jim Crow segregation, widespread discrimination, and the harsh and often violent realities of racism in America.

The exhibit features documents and artefacts from the Roosevelt Library and from private collections. These materials evidence the efforts of many key figures of the early civil rights movement, as well as Eleanor Roosevelt’s interactions with Black leaders of the mid-century freedom struggle. They also document the racism and discrimination in American politics and culture of the era and highlight the contradictions inherent with fighting for democracy abroad while injustice persists at home. Showcasing some of the most riveting yet unheralded voices from its vast archives of personal letters, political pamphlets, petitions, artworks, photographs, and sound recordings, the FDR Library hopes to inspire further research into key aspects of this important history.

Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival 1-3 September 2023

The 32nd-annual Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival has an entire weekend of family-friendly fun and excitement planned at Tymor Park! Among the festival favourites are the tethered hot-air balloon rides, full hot-air balloon flights, helicopter rides, fireworks, live music and entertainment, food trucks, a whole bunch of family activities and more.

Dutchess County Fair 22-27 August 2023

The Dutchess County Fair is the second largest 6-day fair in New York State and has been a summer tradition for over 176 years in the Hudson Valley. Each year the fair offers an action-packed line up of carnival rides sustainably powered with 500,000 LED bulbs, Grandstand concerts, livestock shows, agriculture and horticulture exhibits, turn-of-last-century treasures, a working blacksmith shop and gas-powered engines show. Grab a famous milkshake at the 4H building, marvel at the talents of wandering magicians, jugglers and street musicians, cheer on the Dock Dogs jumping competition, shop the arts and crafts booths, and of course, indulge in an abundance of American fair food!

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest – 9-10 September 2023

The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest celebrates the bounty of wine, food, and fun! The annual event hosted on the second weekend of September at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, is considered by wine lovers and foodies as the event of the season. Wine makers and craft beverage producers from across New York State come together to compete and showcase their wines, ciders, spirits, and craft beers. You can also take in an educational seminar, brush up on your culinary skills with cooking demos by regional celebrity chefs, and sample speciality foods from across the U.S. The beautiful fairgrounds setting is the perfect way to relax in the shade as you enjoy a glass of wine, live music and delicious fare from the Gourmet Food Truck Corral. 

Tour the Haunted History Trail

From the great spirits honoured by Native Americans, to the Dutch settlers who carefully avoided haunted places, New York has harboured centuries of spooky events that simply cannot be explained. All of this awaits you on the Haunted History Trail of New York State offering ghost hunting locations that cater to investigative teams, as well as seasonal ghostly-themed events for the paranormal-curious.

Dutchess County sites include Bannerman Castle, a Scottish-style castle ruin located on an island in the middle of the Hudson River that the Wappinger Indians believed was inhabited by hostile spirits. Miss Fanny’s Victorian Party House, a three-story farmhouse, circa 1860-70, has been featured on paranormal TV shows. The current owners claim to share the space with spirits who have made their presence known with doors opening and closing, voices, footsteps, and even apparitions. During the Halloween season, you can take a lantern lit graveyard tour at St. James Episcopal Church, a 200-year old churchyard where you'll learn about the historical figures who are buried there, including many with connections to the Roosevelts.