James McEntee: Engineering the Hudson’s Golden Age

Join City of Kingston Historian and Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck to explore the life and legacy of James McEntee, a key figure in the development of the D&H Canal and the growth of 19th-century Kingston. As a civil engineer and architect, McEntee oversaw major infrastructure projects including the canal’s eastern section, the first Rondout Lighthouse, and Island Dock—the first pile-supported dock in the U.S. He played a pivotal role in the use of Rosendale cement and the planning of Chestnut Street, one of Kingston’s most distinguished neighborhoods. The presentation also highlights McEntee’s influential family connections, including his son, painter Jervis McEntee, and his son-in-law, architect Calvert Vaux.

Taylor Bruck is the City of Kingston Historian and Ulster County Clerk. He previously held the role of Ulster County Archivist and is a captain of the Kingston Guards Vintage Base Ball Team.