Rhinebeck in the Revolution
The Rhinebeck Historical Society celebrated the Bicentennial with its publication of A Rhinebeck Album in 1976. This photo of General Richard Montgomery and a copy of his last letter to his wife Janet Livingston Montgomery are two of the many items included in the archives.
When Richard Montgomery married Janet Livingston, he became forever entwined with the iconic Livingstons in the history of Rhinebeck and surrounding towns.
Primary documents generally add understanding and appreciation to the study of history. In this case, the letter below takes the reader back to 1775 and the Revolutionary War, and it records the private thoughts written by a husband in the midst of war to his wife at home.
Helen Reed de Laporte typed and signed her donation to the DAR.
Schuylers, Rutsens, and Starr Millers- some remarkable individuals who shaped the Rhinebeck of today. We can still view The Starr Institute building in the village.A younger unidentified man enjoys posing in front of a mural. His attire is closer to what appears on the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Fashion History Timeline for the 1890s.
A Rhinebeck Album, in scrapbook format, includes a collection of photos and short histories from 1776-1876-1976 as well as ads from local businesses in 1976. Check it out in the RHS Archives.
See you in March 2026.
Researcher,
Bonnie Wood
February 2026
