The Palen family in Sullivan County

The Palens:  A Sullivan County Tanning Industry Dynasty

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Sunday, February 27, 2 p.m.

Join Dr. David Rotenstein on Sunday, February 27th at 2 p.m. virtually on ZOOM to explore the tanning industry in Sullivan County, the Palen family story and the Palen family’s contributions to Sullivan County history.

Beginning in 1832, Rufus Palen bought land along the Neversink River in Fallsburg and began building a tannery and sawmill. Over the next generation, Rufus and his family built and bought additional Sullivan County tanneries, including ones at Neversink and Rockland. Between the end of the 18th century and the turn of the twentieth century, several dozen Palens and their extended kin owned, built, and operated leather tanneries in New York and Pennsylvania. This complicated family tale has its roots in Sullivan County and is punctuated by great wealth and even greater tragedy.

Admission to the program:  Members are free, and non-members: $5.  Non-members can make a donation on the Museum’s website: www.timeandthevalleysmuseum.org before registering.  Registration is required.  To register and receive a program link, please email info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org and put Tannery Talk Registration in the subject line, or call 845 985-7700.

The Time and the Valleys Museum is proud to be a Blue Star Museum, a collaboration between the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and over 1,500 museums across America to provide free admission to active duty military members (with ID) and up to five family members. This free admission for members of the military and their families runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

For more information call 845 985-7700, e-mail info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org or visit www.timeandthevalleysmuseum.org. To schedule a group tour for children or adults, please call 845-985-7700.