Congressman John Hall Secures Federal Funds
for Education Programs at Van Cortlandt Manor

TARRYTOWN, NY (March 19, 2008) - Congressman John Hall (D-19) was the distinguished special guest at a meeting of Historic Hudson Valley's Board of Trustees on Feb. 29, where the organization formally thanked the congressman for securing $47,161 in federal funds that will enhance educational programs at Van Cortlandt Manor, a living history museum in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., owned and operated by the organization.

"I'm happy and proud to help make resources available to organizations like Historic Hudson Valley because doing so helps protect open space while enhancing educational programs," the congressman told the group's board at the meeting.

Recognizing the key role heritage tourism plays in economic development, Congressman Hall told the group, "Historic Hudson Valley's important work promotes a fundamental truth that a healthy economy and protecting the environment don't have to be adversaries."

"I want to thank the congressman for his efforts on behalf of Van Cortlandt Manor," said Michael Hegarty, chairman of Historic Hudson Valley's Board of Trustees. "With its location at the confluence of the Hudson and Croton rivers, this site is a natural learning laboratory."

Waddell W. Stillman, president of Historic Hudson Valley, said the funds would be used to enhance educational programming at Van Cortlandt Manor, which tells the story of the life of a Patriot family in the years just after the American Revolution. Collectively, Historic Hudson Valley sites welcome some 35,000 schoolchildren every year.

"We take our commitment to history and education very seriously, and we are honored by Congressman Hall's confidence in our work. His efforts to secure these resources will help further our educational mission," said Mr. Stillman.

The funding is included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law by President Bush on Dec. 26, 2007.

Congressman Hall has been a strong advocate for renewable energy, conservation, and environmental protection since the 1970s.

Mr. Hall represents Putnam County as well as portions of Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Dutchess Counties. Elected in 2006, Congressman Hall serves on the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans' Affairs, and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. He also serves as chairman of the Veterans' Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
The mission of Historic Hudson Valley is to celebrate the history, architecture, landscape, and material culture of the Hudson Valley, advancing its importance and thereby assuring its preservation. Historic Hudson Valley is a museum of historic sites - buildings, landscapes, and collections. A not-for-profit educational organization, it owns, restores, preserves, interprets, and promotes historic landmarks of national significance within the Hudson Valley for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.

The organization collectively preserves more than 650 acres in the Hudson Valley and welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually. Besides Van Cortlandt Manor, its living history museums include Washington Irving's Sunnyside in Tarrytown, N.Y., Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., the Union Church of Pocantico Hills, and Montgomery Place Historic Estate in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. The organization also operates public programming at Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, a historic site of the National Trust. For information: www.hudsonvalley.org.