From quaint riverfront enclaves to sweeping estates, the region’s scenic and historic treasures have made it a popular vacation spot. But a closer look reveals that the region has also been home to pioneering ideas in art, agriculture, labor and education.
The landscape shifts dramatically as you head west from Manhattan, into the Lower Hudson Valley, which spans Westchester and Rockland counties. This pristine New York State destination is known for leafy drives, vineyards and farm-to-table options for foodies. It is also the site of a rich concentration of historic sites and estates built by entrepreneurs in the 1700s. These largely Dutch-American families were the founders of what Time magazine has called “America’s first truly national identity.” Their estates, including Thomas Cole’s masterpiece, Kykuit, in Pocantico Hills, helped to create a sense of a uniquely American landscape and aesthetic. They were also instrumental in the Revolutionary War, helping to give rise to a homegrown sense of military history. The Lower Hudson Valley was also the birthplace of many of our most iconic forms of art and architecture, from landscape painting to the first homegrown mode of lithography. It was also the setting for early labor cooperatives and a number of significant developments in literature and music.
During the last glacial period, the sand deposits left by Lake Iroquois drained north into the Hudson River, which carved a path south through the Catskill Mountains and Adirondacks. The National Park Service now manages the 228-mile Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, promoting the region’s historic, natural and cultural resources in 11 counties.
For a full-fledged taste of the region, make your way to the small city of Hudson, where a burgeoning population of monied arts/queer/trust fund kid New Yorkers have taken up residence. First, fuel up at the aptly named Mel’s Bakery, which moved here from a tiny storefront in Lower Manhattan in late 2023 and has garnered a devoted following with its laminated croissants, iced cinnamon rolls and flaky kouign-amann pastries.
Then take a stroll along the riverfront, where you can admire the soaring mansions and leafy neighborhoods that make this a sought-after retreat. Or, explore the city’s thriving art and music scenes. There is even a small but dedicated group of ice yachters who sail to keep the venerable pastime alive. Joseph McCoy has long been an advocate for the region, leveraging his experience at Valley National Bank and his work on civic organizations such as Business Council of Westchester, ArtsWestchester and Yonkers Partners in Education to promote economic growth. He has also helped shape policy on labor issues, and secured a labor agreement for the construction of Sullivan County Airport’s new terminal. His organization, the Hudson Valley Building & Construction Trades Council, is backing candidates across the political spectrum ahead of this year’s elections, including vulnerable Republican Reps. Marc Molinaro and Mike Lawler. But he says that his most important priority is the health and well-being of the community.