Carrying on the spirit of philanthropy established by Historic Hudson Valley's founder, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the Corporate Partners provide crucial support for the organization's education, preservation, and curatorial programs. By joining, companies align themselves with Historic Hudson Valley, the largest cultural institution in Westchester County and leader in regional tourism development. Membership offers affiliation with a prominent network of corporations that share a commitment to the historical, cultural, environmental, and economic vitality of the Hudson Valley.
Partner Spotlights
 Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc.
Since 1992, Con Edison has been a contributor to Historic Hudson Valley. During the past two years, very generous grants have made Con Edison the exclusive sponsor of Pinkster, a traditional African-Dutch spring festival that features music, dance, and food. In addition to festivities for general audiences, Pinkster includes a three-day school program that brings 800 students to Philipsburg Manor.
"Pinkster is such an important program for teaching about the history of diversity in this area," commented Sandra Miller, director of Westchester Public Affairs at Con Edison.
Energy to light the historic sites and the philanthropy to help interpret them for the public have made Consolidated Edison Company of New York one of Historic Hudson Valley's most valued Corporate Partners.
Crown Products
With a multi-generational history of service and a commitment to environmentally-conscious product solutions, Crown Products represents how Historic Hudson Valley partners with the small business community.
Founded in 1919 as a pushcart operation called "B. Klein," and then Crown Paper in the 1940s, the 89-year-old, Yonkers-based company offers supply, design, and support services for a full line of custom protective packaging and janitorial supplies.
Crown is at the forefront of Westchester County's green movement. The company continuously searches for acceptable environmental solutions to the packaging and janitorial issues facing the world today. Once available, new alternatives are implemented to conform to Crown's guiding philosophy of "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle."
Keenly interested and informed about environmental issues, Peter Mollo, company president, lends his expertise to Historic Hudson Valley's "Green Team." His consultation will help staff transition to using Green Seal Certified cleaning products at the historic properties. This is part of an organizationwide effort to adopt energy-efficient, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable practices.
As a part of its membership in the Corporate Partners program, Crown Products employees enjoy unlimited free general admission to Historic Hudson Valley sites and weekend special events. Mr. Mollo and his family are frequent visitors with a particular affection for Sunnyside. "Historic Hudson Valley has been an important part of my family for many years. The new collaboration on green initiatives is a terrific opportunity for Crown to share what it has learned from the field with a vital institution in our community."
 Fujifilm
Although its philanthropy is national in scope, Fujifilm, with headquarters in Westchester for 18 years, has become an integral part of the community.
By donating products and sharing technical expertise, Fuji has provided Historic Hudson Valley invaluable assistance with historic preservation, collections management, marketing, and fund raising. Grants have supported public programs including Holiday Candlelight Tours and the replacement of trees at Sunnyside lost to storms and age.
"Fujifilm is very proud to partner with Historic Hudson Valley and to help make their collections and programs more accessible to the community through the use of Fujifilm products," says Lori Franco, Manager, Community Relations & Special Projects.
 Hitachi America, Ltd.
Since its founding in 1910, Hitachi has contributed to society through technology. From its headquarters in Tarrytown, Hitachi America, Ltd. has also contributed to the growth of a regional tradition.
Historic Hudson Valley's longest uninterrupted corporate partnership began 17 years ago, but since 1993, Hitachi has focused its support on Legend Weekend, which celebrates Sleepy Hollow Country as the home of Washington Irving's notorious Headless Horseman. Now a blockbuster event, Legend Weekend strengthens regional identity and generates tourism that makes a significant contribution to the area's economy.
According to Lauren Garvey, Community Relations Senior Manager of Hitachi America, Ltd., "Legend Weekend is truly the premier Halloween event in the Hudson Valley and we are proud to be a part of it."
New York Life
New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and one of the largest life insurers in the world. Since its founding in 1979, the New York Life Foundation has donated more than $100 million to national and local nonprofit organizations.
Today, the majority of the Foundation's resources are dedicated to helping young people through an initiative called Nurturing the Children. The New York Life Foundation recently awarded $60,000 to expand the after-school program at Philipsburg Manor. The grant is making it possible to double the number of students who take part over the next three years.
The sixth graders from the Tarrytown schools currently enrolled in the Philipsburg Manor after-school program are happy to confirm New York Life's success. In the words of one student, "Every time we have the program I can't wait until school ends to get to Philipsburg."
New York Life and Historic Hudson Valley share a long-standing commitment to presenting American and African-American history. Through the years, New York Life has sponsored powerful PBS documentaries on historical topics such as Slavery and the Making of America, segments of which were filmed at Philipsburg Manor.
Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life, received Historic Hudson Valley's John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Founder's Award at a gala in the Rainbow Room in November 2006. The honor recognizes corporations and their leaders who carry on Mr. Rockefeller's civic and philanthropic legacy.
Since New York Life's Westchester campus opened in 2004, the New York Life Foundation has contributed more than $565,000 to organizations, programs, and services throughout Westchester County that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities.
 Reckson - A Divison of SL Green
Join the Reckson Challenge!
Demonstrating a major commitment to historic preservation and museum education, Reckson Associates, the largest owner of Class A office buildings in Westchester County, has offered a $100,000 grant for the restoration of the Philipsburg Manor house. To encourage community participation in this crucial project, Reckson has generously agreed to match dollar-for-dollar all gifts up to a total of $100,000. We're asking you to take part.
The first restoration of the manor house in 40 years will reverse decades of exposure to the elements and the wear and tear of 50,000 visitors a year. Exterior work will restore wooden staircases, windows, shutters, and the roof. Inside, a state-of-the-art illumination system will highlight both traditional artifact rooms and "please touch" warehouse spaces filled with high-quality replicas that reflect Philipsburg Manor's commercial role as part of a worldwide shipping enterprise. As the 15,000 students who take part in school programs annually examine these "trade goods," history comes to life with new immediacy.
"The education programs offered to young people at the manor house are crucially important," said John Barnes, Senior Vice President, Operations, Director of the Westchester and Connecticut Division of Reckson Associates. "We're proud to support that effort."
The restoration of the manor house is also being supported by generous grants from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; the New York State Council on the Arts; foundations, corporations, and individual donors.
For more information on participating in the Reckson Challenge, or the Corporate Partners program, please contact Peter S. Pockriss, Historic Hudson Valley's director of development, at 914-631-8200, ext 613.
 SavATree
"We're committed to maintaining the health of HHV's wonderful trees so generations to come can enjoy their majesty," according to arborist Tom Marino of SavATree. Working closely with Historic Hudson Valley's horticulture staff, SavATree cares for trees at four of the museum properties.
One of the most active and generous Corporate Partners, SavATree has also contributes to Historic Hudson Valley's special events by presenting activities that entertain and educate. Children potted saplings at Members Candlelight evening at Philipsburg Manor. Under the watchful eye of SavATree staff, kids got to try their hand at tree rappelling at Van Cortlandt Manor's River Day festival.
Historic Hudson Valley is most grateful for SavATree's partnership, both in preserving our historic landscapes and teaching the public about their history and care.
Sunnyside Federal Savings & Loan
Since 1930, Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan has dedicated its staff and services to the Irvington community. The bank maintains a proud tradition of meeting the ever-changing financial needs of local families and businesses with a variety of products, ranging from interest-bearing checking accounts to fixed and adjustable rate mortgages.
For the past four years, Historic Hudson Valley has partnered with Sunnyside Federal to bring Children's Book Day to Washington Irving's Sunnyside. More than 2,500 children and adults from throughout Westchester get to meet their favorite authors and see treasured storybook characters come to life. "At Sunnyside Federal, we have the privilege of knowing our customers, their families, and their work on a personal level," said Tim Sullivan, President and CEO. "We're delighted that Historic Hudson Valley is creating fun, hands-on learning opportunities for the children in our community."
 Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center
At Tarrytown House, two mid-19th-century estates evoke the cultural richness of the past and create a spectacular venue for conferences and social events.
Each guestroom features a copy of Historic Hudson Valley's Visitor's Guide. The Web site, http://www.tarrytownhouseestate.com/, also helps promote the Hudson Valley's villages and cultural attractions. In the planning stage is a series of regular short talks for guests by a local historian.
Steve Sackman, regional director of sales and marketing for Destination Hotels & Resorts, has said, "We are truly committed to enhancing the partnership between Tarrytown House and Historic Hudson Valley."
For its financial support and its passionate commitment to the region as a quality destination for business and leisure, Historic Hudson Valley is proud to count Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center as a Corporate Partner.
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