S'more Fest Returns To Wappingers Falls For Community Fun

Town of Wappinger Parks and Recreation presenting first event of the year this month.

"S'more Fest" typically refers to community-based winter or fall festivals centered around bonfires, roasting marshmallows, and enjoying hot chocolate, often featuring s'mores bars, live music, and family activities. These events aim to bring people together for cozy, outdoor, seasonal fun.

Also See: Special One Day Ice Fishing Event Set for Dutchess County

With windchills in the negatives this past Saturday, Smore Fest was postponed to Saturday February 21st at 1pm. The event will take place at Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park in Wappingers Falls, NY.

About Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park

Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park in Wappingers Falls s a 99.7 acre estate turned town park in the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County, New York. The park includes the 1850 Carnwath Manor, an 1873 carriage house, a 1927 cottage, Frances Reese Cultural Center (home of the Sports Museum of Dutchess County), Carnwath Chapel, and several hiking and walking trails.

History

Carnwath was first constructed in 1850 by William Henry and Lydia Willis. Willis was a retired hardware merchant from New York City, and related to the Mesier family of nearby Wappingers Falls. The house was originally designed in the Italianate style by Andrew Jackson Downing.

In 1855, the estate was sold to George Barclay, son of the British consul in New York. He was a partner in the commercial firm Barclays and Livingston, the agents for Lloyd's for the City of New York.Barclay died at the estate on 28 July 1869.

Barclay's daughter, Matilda Antonia married New York City attorney Francis Robert Rives, son of diplomat William Cabell Rives of Virginia. Francis Rives was secretary of the American legation at London under ambassador Edward Everett during the William Henry Harrison administration. For a time, the road leading up to the estate was called Rives Avenue (now known as Wheeler Hill Road).

Rives was a member of both the Knickerbocker Club and the Coaching Club, and made many modifications to Carnwath Manor and also constructed the carriage house, cow barn and ice house. He died at the age of sixty-nine at Carnwath on July 16, 1891 and is buried in the Wappingers Rural Cemetery. His son Reginald inherited Carnwath. Reginald Rives was an accomplished coachman and vice-president of the Coaching Club. He also had a home in Montecito, California, but would return east for club events. In 1894, Rives' coach took first prize at the Dutchess County Fair horse show, competing against that of John Jacob Astor. He was an authority on coach horses and often served as a judge at horse shows. In 1914 he sold Carnwath to Isaac Untermyer, famous for defending Boss Tweed, In 1925, it was sold to the Augustinian Friars and was known as the Novitiate of Our Mother of the Good Counsel. The friary constructed the chapel in 1950.

In 1980 the property was sold to Greystone Programs, Inc. The Town of Wappinger purchased Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park in 1999, and welcomed its first tenant in 2005, the Sports Museum of Dutchess County. Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park is located within the Wheeler Hill Historic District but is a separate historic site.

With windchills in the negatives this Saturday, Smore Fest is postponed to Saturday February 21st at 1pm. But the Town Supervisor dutifully tested out the sledding hill anyway at Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park to make sure everything was still in ship shape!

Town of Wappinger Parks and Recreation said, "last year we had a great time hanging out around the fire pits, snacking on some S'mores and sipping hot cocoa. We hope this year you'll join us!". More info on the Facebook event page.