In December of 2016, I submitted a blog about the community effort to save the Fishkill Supply Depot. Two year later and we are still fighting to keep this historic site from being commercially developed. I became a trustee for the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot and became actively involved in Taking Informed Action.
The Fishkill Supply Depot was a vital resource operating from 1776-1783 in support of George Washington’s Continental Army. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located in Fishkill, NY approximately 65 miles north of New York City. It originally consisted of 70 acres with a hospital, prison, barracks, powder magazines and a military burial ground. The last remaining 10 acres of the Fishkill Supply Depot, along with the military burial ground remain undeveloped but are privately owned. The owner has attempted to discredit the archeological significance of the property and has petitioned the town planning board with a proposal known as Continental Commons with an IHOP Restaurant.
In true inquiry fashion, the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot asked a compelling question.
Does an IHOP mean more to us than our American History?
For over three years, the Friends of Fishkill Supply Depot has helped fund legal obstacles and delaying tactics to block commercial development at George Washington’s Fishkill Supply Depot. We have placed signs, orchestrated rallies, on-line petitions and presented at conferences to inform the public about the threat to a historic site. In the coming months, the local planning board will render its decision on the New York State Quality Environmental Review (SEQR). All signs point to a “negative declaration” which will place the development proposal on the fast track to full approval.
This is not good for our organization and definitely not good for American History. Our organization still has hope and we feel that we have the public on our side. Recently, we have been showing up to planning board meetings with “STOP CONTINENTAL COMMONS” t-shirts. Our presence has definitely gotten the attention of the owner and of the board members. By exhibiting our constitutional liberties, we affirm our rights that our American Patriots so nobly won. In the end, a democratically elected board will decide the proposal. Our hope is that we have done enough to convince the board to honor its past and show proper respect for American Patriots.
I do not know the outcome of the decision but I am grateful for the opportunity to take action to save our history. Over the past few years, we have witnessed many elected officials at the national; state and local level claim “love of country” but their actions show their true character. We must convince the public to look beyond the short-term financial benefits and see the true consequences of development. Through our own taking informed action work, I am inspired by so many members of the Fishkill community who have invested countless hours to preserve the site. As a teacher, I have learned to appreciate the historic sites that have been protected. With every historic site, sign and park, it takes a dedicated group of people who are willing to use their talents to reach their goal. This struggle to save the depot has made me a better teacher. I like to think that my knowledge of the Inquiry Design Model has helped the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot become a stronger organization that is dedicated to preserving history.
If you are interested in learning about this historic site and curious about some of the informed action that have been taken, I encourage you to visit the website at:
