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On today's episode, I’m making a house call to one of the oldest – and most mysterious – homes in the Hudson Valley. The Van Housen-Marriott House on Route 66 has stood for centuries, witnessing the full weight of American history. It was a site of Dutch colonial settlement, a place of enslavement, and, possibly, a stop on the Underground Railroad. But now, this house is falling apart, and efforts to save it are racing against time.

As part of a project with the African American Archive of Columbia County, I speak with Ed Klingler, Brenda Shufelt, Lisa Fludd-Smith, and historian Fergus Bordewich to unpack the house’s past and explore what it truly means to preserve history.

Could this weathered Dutch home have once sheltered freedom seekers? And what does it take to save a piece of history before it disappears? It's all here on this very historic podcast episode.

To learn more about the African American Archive of Columbia County, visit: https://www.afamarchivecc.org

To find the Cozy Map Of Comfy Places, visit: https://thejiffy.xyz/are-you-looking-for-the-cozy-map-of-comfy-places

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"The Jiffy Audio Newsletter Podcast" is an audio documentary zine – the official podcast of The Jiffy – exploring the odd histories, cozy mysteries, and surprising characters of upstate New York. Each episode is a small adventure, told with curiosity, humor, and the occasional text message from a stranger.

New episodes drop every other week. Subscribe, share, and take the scenic route with us.

Follow James on Instagram: @jamescave

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