Scheduled for four Tuesdays in February

The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum has announced the topics for its Tuesday evening lecture series to be held in February at the Cornwall Presbyterian Fellowship Hall. Each lecture begins at 7:30 p.m.

On Feb. 2, Frank DiLorenzo, a member of the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society, will discuss the history of the railway, which opened in 1902 and carried thousands of visitors a year to the summit with its hotel and casino and sweeping views of the Hudson Valley.

On Feb. 9, the presentation will focus on the 300-year-old Gomez Mill House. Its executive director, Ruth K. Abrahams, will discuss the landmark’s importance to the development of the Hudson Valley as reflected in the lives and deeds of five of its owners: colonial Jewish merchant Luis Moses Gomez, Revolutionary and civic leader Wolfert Ecker, the Armstrong Family, Arts and Crafts paper artisan Dard Hunter and social activist Martha Gruening.

On Feb. 16, the naturalist and historian Donald “Doc” Bayne will discuss the rich history of Iona Island, located in the Hudson River just south of the Bear Mountain Bridge and now a nature preserve.

On Feb. 23, Richard and William Vacek will share their appreciation for William Thompson Howell (1873-1916), a Newburgh native who an inveterate hiker, diarist and photojournalist.  His account of his hiking life had a great influence on conservation of the Highlands.

Cornwall Presbyterian is located at 222 Hudson St. Admission is $7, or $5 for museum members. For more information, visit hhnm.org or call 845-534-5506, ext. 204.

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