Honor Haverstraw Brick Museum

Senate Resolution No. 919 BY: Senator LARKIN HONORING the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the occasion of its designation for special recognition by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's Celebration on March 16, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the occasion of its designation for special recognition by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's Celebration on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at the Haverstraw Elks Lodge No. 877 in Haverstraw, New York; and WHEREAS, The Haverstraw Brick Museum is dedicated to preserving the memories of an era gone by; Haverstraw, located in Rockland County, was once the world's leading center of brick production; many buildings in New York City are made with bricks manufactured in the Town; and WHEREAS, In 1771, Jacob Van Dyke was instrumental in beginning the brick making industry by making bricks by hand out of yellow and blue clay that was found along the shore of the Hudson River; and WHEREAS, The brick industry grew immensely, and numerous brickyards appeared along the Hudson River; many schooners and barges on the Hudson River were used to transport bricks to New York City, transforming the island of Manhattan, and surrounding areas, into the sprawling metropolis that it is today; and WHEREAS, By the 1880s there were over 40 brickyards in the Haverstraw area; in a single year, over 300 million bricks were being shipped out of Haverstraw Bay to the New York metropolitan market; and WHEREAS, Unfortunately, by the 1920s, much of the clay deposits had been stripped from the area; a combination of the Great Depression, competition and new building materials brought Haverstraw's brick making industry to a close; and WHEREAS, Six decades after the last yard closed in 1941, the Haverstraw Brick Museum was founded to relive the impressive and important history of this fascinating time in Haverstraw's storied history; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Haverstraw Brick Museum has worked with great pride to make history come alive for people of all ages by collecting, preserving, researching and exhibiting materials and cultures of the brick making industry within the Hudson River Valley; and WHEREAS, The expert staff of the Haverstraw Brick Museum, are and always have been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence, and accordingly merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the occasion of its designation for special recognition by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's Celebration; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Haverstraw Brick Museum.