Postcard showing Alligator Rock in the Catskill Mountains

The Mountain Top Historical Society (MTHS) is dedicated to discovering, preserving, interpreting and sharing the unique and rich history of the Mountain Top region in Greene County, NY.

We are a not-for-profit organization founded in 1973 and engage in activities and programs that enrich understanding and foster appreciation of the Mountain Top’s history, geology, literature, culture, and folklore in a variety of ways:

  • Archival Collections – We collect and preserve documents and photographs related to Mountain Top history to keep them in the public trust and available for research.
  • Educational Programs – We maintain an ongoing collaboration with our local schools to help students understand the history of the area.
  • The Hemlock – Our quarterly publication includes historical sketches, updates on our activities and other areas of interest to our members.
  • Popular Hiking Series – May to October the MTHS’s seasoned hike leaders explore the region, enriching the hiking experience with local folklore, geology and history.
  • Public History Information – We field many queries related to local history from residents and visitors.
  • Oral History – Preserving the stories of diverse voices and experiences on the Mountain Top.
  • Scholarly Resource – Materials and information have been supplied to writers and researchers from the National Geographic, The New York Times, the Smithsonian and other publications.
  • Lectures – Monthly programs feature experts on interesting topics such as the grand hotels, railroads, Native American history and indigenous plant and animal life.
  • Workshops – Conducted by scholars and professionals in genealogy, the humanities and other areas of interest
  • Ulster & Delaware Train Depot – Maintenance of a historic train depot from the Ulster and Delaware Railroad. This depot serves as a space for exhibitions and events. The Train Station will be open on weekends from June 7th through October 12th, 10 AM – 3 PM. Meet the Station docents who will provide information on hiking trail, maps, history books, and history exhibits.
Thomas Nast’s classic 1866 print “Sketches Among the Catskill Mountains” which appeared in Harper’s Weekly over a hundred fifty years ago in July 1866. Nast is considered the “Father of the American [political] Cartoon,” and for good reason. He introduced the elephant and the donkey to represent the Republican and Democratic parties, created a series of cartoons that helped bring down Boss Tweed and, in a lighter vein, created the image of Santa Claus that persists to this day.
1962 Hunter Baseball team

Board of Directors


George VanDyke, President

Carli Gazoorian, Vice President
Deborah Fromer, Treasurer
Linda Geary, Membership Secretary
Joanne Ainsworth, Corporate and Recording Secretary
Michael Allegretti
Lynn Carlson
John Fromer
Larry Gardner
George Hewitt
Cyndi LaPierre

Adrienne S. Larys
Ryan Penny
Alexandra Prince
Reed Rubey
Paul Slutzky
Johanna Titus

Robert Gildersleeve, Chief Archivist Emeritus
John Curran, Emeritus
Richard Haines, Emeritus
Justine Legg Hommel, Emeritus
Dede Terns-Thorpe, Emeritus

Your Support is Essential

Volunteer with the MTHS