About Us
In 1908 Anna Warner and Mrs. Russell Sage gave Constitution Island to the American people and it was received for the American people by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Island is most famous for the Great Chain that was placed across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War and the Warner family who lived on the Island during the 19th century. The Warner House and ruins of the Revolutionary War fortifications are the primary points of interest. The Island’s 280 acres are covered with hiking trails that are enjoyed by the Island’s visitors. The Constitution Island Association was founded in 1916 to preserve and protect the history and traditions of this unique American site.
Our Mission
To provide a rewarding, educational, and recreational experience by the commemoration and preservation of the historic, literary, legendary, artistic traditions, and the ecological treasure that is represented by Constitution Island and the Hudson River Valley.
Organization
| Chair: | Mrs. Betsy Pugh | |
| Vice-Chairs: | Mr. Bryan Dunlap | |
| Mr. Richard Perry | ||
| Treasurer: | Mr. William Florence | |
| Secretary: | Mrs. Jean Wort | |
| Executive Committee: | ||
| Term Ending 2012 | ||
| COL (Ret) Merl G. Hutto, Cornwall-on-Hudson Mr. Chester Logan, Cortlandt Manor Mrs. Barbara Miller, Fort Montgomery Mrs. Betsy Pugh, Cold Spring |
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| Term Ending 2013 | ||
| Mr. Bryan Dunlap, Garrison Mr. Charles Lyle, West Hartford, CT Mr. Richard Mills, Mahopac Mr. Richard Parry, Highland Falls |
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| Term Ending 2014 | ||
| Mrs. Jean Ashton, Cornwall Mrs. Betsey Blakeslee, West Point Mr. William Dauster, Oakland, NJ Miss Anne Eristoff, Highland Falls Mr. William Florence, Garrison Mr. David C. Gordon, Jr., Garrison COL (Ret) James Johnson, Washintonville Mrs. Jean Wort, Fort Montgomery Mrs. Heather Zuckerman, Garrison |
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| Executive Director: | Mr. Richard de Koster | |
Links to the Past
“In 1778, less than halfway through the Revolutionary War, the Americans were able to forge a huge iron chain which they successfully stretched across the Hudson River from West Point to Constitution Island. For five years the 80-ton chain kept the British warships from attacking the inhabitants of the upper Hudson Valley. To celebrate the 225th anniversary of the installation of the Great West Point Chain, the Constitution Island Association commissioned this miniature Great Chain Bracelet.”
Lincoln Diamant, Author of “Chaining the Hudson”
