HHS Jacob Wynkoop Exhibition

June 1 through July 14  –  “Never Was a Slave: Jacob Wynkoop, Free and Black in 19th Century New Paltz.”  Jacob was born a few years after slavery was legally abolished in New York State.  He served in Company K of the 20th Colored Regiment of the Union Army during the Civil War and headed a ‘colored Republican club’ with another man in New Paltz after the war. Jacob worked as a carpenter and built several homes for family and friends in the Mulberry – Church – Broadhead area of New Paltz.  Jacob and his family’s story are illuminated by historical documents and photographic materials from the HHS Archives, the Haviland – Heidgerd Collection of the Elting Memorial Library, Town of New Paltz Records, and the Records of the Reformed Church of New Paltz.

This exhibit will be on view at the DuBois, June 1 through July 14 and is free and open to the public.