Lloyd Historical Society
Upcoming Program
Monday, June 3, 2024
History of the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge presented by Fred Schaeffer
The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad bridge was built in1888 and tied New England states to the rest of the country. 50 trains a day went over the bridge. The presentation will include pictures of the construction of the bridge and what led it up to its demise and its evolution to the Walkway Over the Hudson.
Fred Schaeffer is a resident of Pleasant Valley, NY. After many years of community, civic and political activities, his hobbies of bicycling, photography and history led to an interest in the historic Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge. In January of 2004 he became Chairman of the Walkway over the Hudson organization, a non-profit group, which owned the Bridge. As Chairman he led the organization’s efforts to convert it into the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, which opened in October of 2009. The 38 million dollar project has become a leading tourist attraction in the Hudson Valley, with over four million visitors since its opening 10 years ago.
Fred continues to volunteer for the Walkway organization. When the Walkway opened in 2009, as a volunteer, until 2021, he, as a volunteer, opened the gates on weekends 20 minutes before sunrise so visitors can see the beautiful sunrise over Dutchess County from the Walkway.
The program will take place on Monday June 3rd at 7:00 pm
in the Highland Public Library 14 Elting Place, Highland NY