Old Dutch Church Cemetery Tour in Kingston

The Old Dutch Church cemetery dates back to 1658, so it has witnessed many different groups of people – Dutch Settlers, Native Americans, African American slaves and servants, and British soldiers. The cemetery is the final resting place of many Revolutionary Kingstonians whose homes were burnt by the British in 1777, as well as George Clinton, the first governor of New York. Theatre on the Road and the Old Dutch Church in Kingston will offer “living history” tours Saturdays in October in the cemetery of the church. Guests will take a trip across three centuries and meet seven characters who made Kingston the place to be. On this tour, guests will meet Calvert Vaux , an architect who designed New York’s Central Park and many of the Hudson Valley’s finest residences. Visitors will also witness the banter between Sadie and Elsie Reher , two sisters whose family owned a bakery on the Rondout. Jenny Hasbrouck , an enslaved person who took her own freedom, will make an appearance, along with Father Divine , a celebrated African-American spiritual leader. Emily Crane Chadbourne , an art collector and philanthropist, will regale us with her story and Rachel Hasbrouck , a young woman who survived a Tory attack while escaping the burning of Kingston, will finish the tour. Live tours will take place on October 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 7 p.m., and each will be limited to 60 people. There will be no more than 10 people at each grave site; masking and social distancing will be enforced. A virtual version of the tour will be available on www.livinghistoryny.com beginning November 1. Saturdays at 7 p.m. Tickets available online or call Theatre on the Road at 845-475-7973 or email theatreontheroad@gmail.com