The Minisink Valley Historical Society is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Orange and Rockland Utilities Community Investment program. The funding has been used to print new informational brochures on two of the region's most important historic resources - the Delaware and Hudson Canal and the Minisink Battleground park.

The first brochure assists the Society's efforts in actively promoting the history of one of the nineteenth century's most important transportation arteries, the Delaware and Hudson Canal. The canal was operated from 1828-1898 and ran from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to Kingston, New York. This brochure provides information about the D & H Canal Heritage Trail, a one-mile long path along the bed of the old canal that runs through the center of Port Jervis. The trail was built by a partnership of the City of Port Jervis and the Society. Hundreds of walkers, cyclists, hikers and tourists use the trail annually.

The second brochure explores the only Revolutionary War battle that took place in the Upper Delaware Valley. The Society owned the battleground for many years until turning it over to Sullivan County in 1955. This brochure tells the dramatic story that began at Fort Decker at 127 West Main Street on July 20, 1779 and culminated in a military disaster for the colonial militia forces two days later. The brochures are available at Fort Decker, the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce and other area attractions. Copies can be obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope to the Society at Post Office Box 659, Port Jervis, New York 12771.

The Society and the Orange and Rockland Utilities Community Investment program had previously partnered when the Delaware River Heritage Trail was created in 1993 and a Community Investment Grant in 1996 allowed the Society to double its length, improve the markings and enhance the route to include all of the city's most important historic sites and to print a trail guide.

The Minisink Valley Historical Society is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of historic and cultural resources of the Minisink Valley region and to provide educational opportunities both for its membership and the general public. Orange and Rockland Utilities has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to many civic efforts that the communities it serves better places to live through educational, cultural and environmental projects.

For information regarding the Society's programs please call 845-856-2375. The Society has an informative web page on the Internet and the address is http://www.minisink.org.

The Society's Executive Director is available for interviews.

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