The Beacon Historical Society is back in-person for their 6th Annual “Beacons of History Awards” at The Roundhouse on November 10, 2022. Some call the event “a great old Beacon cause,” as the Society honors and celebrates the city’s rich past and deep sense of community as one of its main fundraisers of the year to guarentee their rental expenses for the following year.

Hors d’oeuvres, beer/wine/soft drinks will be served within the $75 ticket for a night under the twinkling lights of one of the main event spaces in The Roundhouse. Sponsorship opportunities are still open (but closing soon! email Denise Doring VanBuren @dvb1776@gmail.com). Tickets are $75. Donations are accepted even if you can’t attend.

2022 Honoree: Tony Lassiter
Individual Honoree

Born in Highland Hospital in 1947, Tony Lassiter was educated in the Beacon City Schools and drafted into the Army as a combat engineer. In February 1969, Sgt. Lassiter was sent to Vietnam, where he was injured by hostile forces 6 months later. Awarded the Purple Heart, he was honorably discharged in November. Tony then enjoyed a 30-year career at IBM, served as a Sergeant with the Dutchess Co. Sheriff’s Office and volunteered for 15 years on the Beacon Planning Board. He also volunteers on the City’s Housing Authority, as Vice Commander of American Legion Post 203, Quartermaster of the VFW (Military Order of the Purple Heart), Treasurer for the Beacon Lions Club and with the St. Andrew’s/St. Luke’s Church Food Pantry and has served on the Spirit of Beacon Day Committee.
- Copy credit: The Beacon Historical Society Invitation Letter

2022 Honoree: Melzingah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Organizational Honoree

Founded in 1896 by Katherine Wolcott Verplanck, the Melzingah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is one of the largest and most active DAR chapters in the nation. It is most notably known for its rescue of the c. 1709 Madam Brett Homestead from Demolition in 1954, when plans called for an A&P Supermarket to be built on the site; the property is not only the house of the community’s first European settler, but also the oldest building in Dutchess County. It is filled with a significant furnishings collection. In addition to operating the property as a house museum, the DAR chapter has long supported historic awareness in Beacon, including ts erection of the Mount Beacon Monument in 1900. Members also volunteer at the Castle Point VA Medical Center, conduct annual history essay contests and complete other volunteer work as part of the worldwide service organization committed to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism.
- Copy credit: The Beacon Historical Society Invitation Letter

Sponsorship Levels

If you didn’t get the sponsorship invitation letter this year, email Event Chair Denise Doring VanBuren dvb1776@gmail.com to be put on the list. Each level comes with different promotional opportunities and some with tickets.

Mount Beacon Sponsor: $2,000
Newburgh Beacon Ferry Sponsor: $1,500
Main Street Trolley Sponsor: $1,000
Twin Villages Sponsor: $500
Half Screen Ad: $250
Program Supporter Listing: $100

Checks can be made payable to the Beacon Historical Society and mailed to PO Box 89 Beacon NY 12508 and explore at the Beacon Historical Society at their location at 61 Leonard Street (near Mount Beacon) and at their website.

Learn about more events from the Beacon Historical Society at their Calendar,