Hudson Valley Apples is the product of two intensive sessions conducted by Bard College Center for Experimental Humanities and the EH Digital History Lab and carried out over the winter breaks of 2017 and 2018 with teams of students. This website exhibits the content that the students from both sessions gathered through primary source research in three distinct types of archives (local historical society, personal collection, and academic institution); analyzed in the context of the agricultural history of the nation, state, region, and micro-region; investigated in a series of oral histories with current apple growers; and, synthesized into narratives that tell a compelling story of agricultural change.

The Farming Families of Red Hook

Explore the history of agricultural change in the Hudson Valley by following the narratives of these farming families from northern Dutchess County, New York.

Context

A History of Agricultural Changes

Learn about the larger context of agricultural change in the nation, state, region, and the township of Red Hook.

Oral Histories

Interviews with Local Growers

Students in the 2018 Winter Session team interviewed local apple growers, learning about the changes they have experienced during their careers and the personal stories about farming in the Hudson Valley.

Researcher Diaries

Reflections on the Experience

Students in the 2018 Winter Session team reflected on their experience doing the winter session project. Their researcher diaries discuss what they gained from participating in the project.

Explore the Content of Hudson Valley Apples

Extras