Lisa Lamonica Boeken

Hudson, with its scarlet past, is still intriguing in many ways. It is the new go-to destination being discovered by tourists, chefs, world-famous artists and celebrities, motion pictures, and major magazines. Visitors say there is a palpable vibe of creative energy. Home to the largest number of self-employed people in New York, Hudson is a unique city where one can start their own business and not feel out of place. In vintage photographs, Hudson covers a rich history that includes the story of the Mohicans, whaling, and the multitude of factories in the Industrial Age, as well as the city's modern-day transformation.

First inhabited by the Mohicans and settled before 1651, Kinderhook, New York, has an intriguing historical past. While the town has ties to the American Revolution and was home to America's eighth president, Martin Van Buren, Kinderhook is most known for being the origin of America's first ghost story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The story's main character, Ichabod Crane, was based on Washington Irving's close friend Jesse Merwin, a teacher who moved to Kinderhook in 1808. Due to the story's success and its terrifying icon, the Headless Horseman, Kinderhook and the Hudson Valley have evolved from farmland and sleepy folklore to an area full of cultural interest. Today, Kinderhook's celebrated art galleries and restaurants attract visitors and locals alike.