News Archive

As of now, we have 29 people who have earned certificates and patches from the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct’s Milers Program. 

And there are quite a few others who are “working on it.”  Some of these milers  have become some of our most active docents.  

One of them said to us that she and her husband “fell in love” with the trail as they earned their patches.  Being a docent is a way to share that love.

Friends member and avid trail walked Carlos Gee has an excellent blog, SCENES FROM THE TRAIL, where he provides heavily-illustrated guides to his walks in the new York and New Jersey region. He was kind enough to allow us to copy his walks onto this website, so you can follow along on his adventure to walk the entire length of the Westchester section of the Old Croton Aqueduct trail (and earn a patch in the process.

You can view his reports HERE

The Friends invited our wonderful, hard-working Keeper's House docents to a private tour of Philipse Manor Hall during the holidays. And, since we like exploring Yonkers, we added on lunch at the locally famous Cuban restaurant La Bella Havana! Sixteen docents and board members socialized and took the fascinating tour. Our New York State Parks guide Robert A Lee, a descendant of General Robert E Lee (!), then took us outside for an impromptu walk through the newest Saw Mill River Daylighting park!

“ I haven’t had so much fun in years”

That's what one of our new docents said after serving as guide/docent on our weekend Open Days at the Keepers House. He admitted he signed up out of duty since he loves the trail, then discovered what fun it is meeting people from all over the world... Yes, all over the world!

We have had a group from Croatia, five visitors from Germany, and two Quebeqois, among others. Even one Icelander.

Due to the popularity of our V-Neck fitted T-shirts, we have ordered a whole selection of new colors. Plus we added a lovely light heathered blue to our standard Ts. Time to stock up!

TO SEE ALL OF OUR T-SHIRTS GO HERE

James Bremner ( aka Friends VP, Bob Kornfeld ) welcomed the community to the beautiful house where he lived from the mid 1800s to his death in 1872. On a sunny June afternoon Keeper James Bremner told of his duties as keeper of this section of the Aqueduct, how he kept the water flowing as it traveled from the Croton Dam to the final reservoir at 42nd street. Maybe he anticipated that his home would one day be a National Historic Landmark making the entire community swell with pride.

The Friends were delighted to host the Annual Awards Event of the Association of Social Studies Teachers of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties.

by Guest Blogger, Daria Gregg

People wonder out loud and to themselves why I spend good money and time taking out the invasives on my adopted section of the Old Croton Aqueduct.

Share your passion for and knowledge of the Aqueduct trail and Rivertowns area

Are you comfortable speaking and working with the public?

Can you devote three hours on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to work with Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct at their new Keeper's House visitor center in Dobbs Ferry?

To learn more, we invite potential volunteer docents to a question-and-answer gathering on March 31, 7:30, at the Keeper's House, 15 Walnut St., Dobbs Ferry, between Broadway/Route 9 and Main St.