Andes Society of History and Culture

Attraction Description

The Andes Society for History and Culture is a not for profit educational corporation established in 1975 for the purpose of promoting the history of Andes and the surrounding area and to provide diverse educational and cultural programming. It is located in the historic village of Andes, NY in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.[James K. Andrews] The organization's headquarters is the Hunting Tavern Museum, a circa 1800 restored tavern which played an important role in the Anti-Rent Wars of the 1840's. The tavern served as the Uprenters' headquarters for the area surrounding Andes and it was here that Delaware County Undersheriff Osman Steele, when questioned about his safety during an upcoming tax sale, uttered the words "Lead cannot penetrate Steele" which were proved wrong later that afternoon of August 7, 1845, when he was mortally wounded while trying to sell the cattle of tenant farmer Moses Earle on Dingle hill. His body was brought back to this tavern until it could be taken to Delhi for burial. Restored in 1999, the Tavern houses permanent exhibits on lthe Anti-Rent War, ocal dairying, tools that built the town and a room dedicated to the communities of Pepacton, Shavertown, Union Grove and Arena that were taken by the construction of the Pepacton Reservoir in the early 1950's. Currently the East Branch Plein Air Painters are showing their works in the museum gallery. The Parthenia Davis Gift Shop offers a variety of publications by local authors as well as Hunting Tavern Souvenirs. The Tavern is open for tours every Saturday, Memorial Day through Columbus Day from 10-3.

The ASHC has also restored a former 1854 Methodist Church located at the intersection of Delaware County Route 1 and Bussey Hollow Road. The church as well as the associated dining hall now serve as a performing arts venue and are available as a rental for weddings, reunions and other gatherings. Just down the road is the mouth of the Pepacton Reservoir. Also on the PVMH site is a kiosk depicting life in the East Branch Valley before the construction of the reservoir as well as facts concerning the dam's construction.

The organization's latest project has been the restoration of the former 1892 Andes Village Fire Hall which now serves as the ASHC Thrift Shop, a business that not only benefits the entire community but also provides a modest income to support the Society's buildings and programming. The shop is open Monday - Saturday, 10-4 throughout the summer months.

The organization maintains the Dingle Hill site of the shooting of Osman Steele and has erected a memorial boulder and informational kiosk. The site is located approximately two miles down Delaware County Route 1 (Tremperskill Road). Turn left at the NYS historical marker and the site is approximately 1 mile on the left.

To Make You Smile

• History
• Exhibits
• Public Programs
• Research collections
• Facility Rental
• Gift Shop

Events

Operation of the Thrift Shop in the Old Andes Village Fire Hall on Main Street next to the Andes Hotel--June - September.

Andes Community Day. Hunting Tavern Museum serving food and beverages after the parade. Exhibits and demonstrations.

Reservoir Day is held on Labor Day Sunday each year beginning with a potluck lunch at noon. The documentary "Beneath Pepacton Waters" is shown in the Pleasant Valley Meeting House. This hour long video vividly shows the East Branch Valley and its residents before the construction of the Pepacton Reservoir and also chronicles the destruction of the communities and captures the feelings of the residents forced to leave their homes. This event grows each year.

Annual Holiday Open house at the Hunting Tavern Museum the first Saturday in December following the community tree lighting in Bohlmann Park. Free homemade soups and breads are served, fires are burning and holdiay cheer abounds. An ever increasing in popularity event.