Area fire companies team up to extinguish blaze in Millerton

Area fire companies team up to extinguish blaze in Millerton

The scene at 27 Barton St. in Millerton just after fire trucks arrived Tuesday, Jan. 2, around 6 a.m.

Photo by James Shultz

MILERTON — A fire broke out early morning Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 27 Barton St., a three-story Victorian built in the 19th century.

Owners Ray and Grace Nelson, and one tenant with his parakeet, escaped unharmed. The first fireman from Millerton arrived on the scene at 6:57 a.m. within 2 minutes of receiving the call from the Dutchess County 911 dispatchers.

Area fire companies from Lakeville, Sharon, Copake, Ancram, Hillsdale, Amenia, Wassaic, Pine Plains, Millbrook, and Dover joined the effort to extinguish the fire, which was contained within an hour, preventing its spread to nearby homes. The Falls Village firefighters were on standby at the Millerton Fire House to answer other calls. The Dutchess County Sheriff, New York State Police and EMS vehicles were on the scene to assist.

On Monday, Jan. 8, Grace Nelson issued a statement thanking the Millerton Fire Company: “Ray and I are so grateful to God that nobody got hurt. We are also extremely grateful to the Millerton Fire Department for their swift, appropriate work and coordination,” with all the responding fire departments.

Ed Downey, who lives on nearby Simmons Street and is the historian for the Town of North East, estimated that the house was built sometime between 1858 and 1887 when Millerton boomed as a railroad town. “I feel badly for Ray and Grace who have worked so hard on restoring that house,” said Downey. Known as the “Beehive” the 4,700-square-foot house was picked up and moved west in the early 1920s to allow for the extension of Dutchess Avenue and the creation of Highland Drive.

It was reported that over 10,000 gallons of water from a nearby hydrant were pumped into the home, causing considerable water damage on all the floors. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Department.

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less