The Story of Historic Kingston:
Featuring 950 Images and Connections to the Catskills & New York City
With a background in filmmaking, graphic design, historical research, and writing, the creative team of Stephen Blauweiss and Karen Berelowitz bring you their second book that uniquely combines a stunning visual presentation with concise and informative text about the vibrant 400-year history of the mid-Hudson Valley region. The full-color, hardcover book features 950 photographs, postcards, maps, art, and graphics, many never before published and all professionally restored. It's like a documentary film in print! The book begins with a 120-page introduction to Ulster County followed by a wide-ranging look at the lesser-known and nostalgic aspects of Kingston's history. SEE SAMPLE PAGES HERE & TESTIMONIALS BELOW!
After four years of research using a variety of public and private archives, books, publications, and personal interviews, the 500-page book covers hundreds of topics, from cement to garments, from anthracite coal to Thomas Cole, from mushrooms to beer, from steamships to railroads, from stone houses to mountain houses, from music to art, from the Catskills to New York City, from mom & pop shops to IBM, from cars to cigars, and much more. Whether you’re a native or a newcomer, we guarantee you’ll learn something new!
$85 + $7.50 shipping + tax
For local buyers (save on shipping!), come to a pick-up time,
or buy The Story of Historic Kingston at one of our local shops:
Rough Draft
BlueByrd Haberdashery
Petalos Flowers
Hamilton & Adams
Hill Valley Candles
Artcraft
Friends of Historic Kingston
Hudson River Maritime Museum
Hurley Mountain Country Store - Hurley
Barnes & Noble - Town of Ulster
Golden Notebook - Woodstock
Inquiring Minds - New Paltz
Oblong Books - Rhinebeck
To pay by check, mail to: Blauweiss Films, PO Box 3391, Kingston, NY 12402
To pay over the phone, please call Karen at (845) 443–3358
Histories of Kingston have been published since the early 19th century but none so encompassing as this year’s...The Story of Historic Kingston. Think of Ken Burns doing New York’s first capitol but by historians who actually live there. The narrative is crisp and precise, a perfect adjunct to the images that highlight almost every page. This is no dry history tome.
– Hugh Reynolds, Kingston Wire
WOW! What an amazing book you have created…a rich and beautiful gift to history.
– Sari Lilja Will, Owner, Uptown Interiors
This is an epic work that will do Kingston and Ulster County proud and will be one of the most important works on Kingston's history ever.
– Gail Whistance, Hurley Heritage Society
[The] impossibly detailed book… is unquestionably the most comprehensive and lavishly produced local history ever. Anybody who buys it — and that should include every lover of Ulster County history — will get their money’s worth from this glossy and elaborate 470-page volume with 950 images. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, this hefty volume is equivalent to a million-word book in value.
– Geddy Sveikauskas, Ulster Publishing, Hudson Valley One
Your book is nothing short of a masterpiece. Not only is it visually stunning but it has a wealth of information on local subjects I never imagined.
– Frank Marquette, Theatre on the Road & Murder Cafe
It's such an absolutely astonishing book - the time, care and attention to detail is second-to-none!– Amberly Jane Campbell, Manager/Co-Founder, Kingston Wire
What a great product! The book is a comprehensive richly textured journey into the place I grew up; but I didn’t realize how much I did not know about that place. As I cruise by my 85th birthday, your book is enriching my daily life.
– David Schwartz
This is now among the best books in my collection, including the 16 I have previously written and published.
– John M. Ham, Historian and Author
Your book is absolutely incredible. It floors me how much of a resource it is. It’s so beautifully cross referenced and indexed and the photos are gorgeous. I’m totally blown away.
– Letitia Smith
Karen and Stephen have created a wonderful book about Kingston’s history through their vast compilation of historic photos and lively narrative. I keep it front and center on my coffee table and share it with all our guests. If you love Kingston you owe it to yourself to get a copy!
– Anne Bailey, Co-Owner, Bailey Pottery and Board President, Kingston Midtown Arts District
New history is being made! Such a delightful and comprehensive view of Kingston. Utterly brilliant!
– Gerald Berke
I love your new book. It really makes me miss my hometown.
– Ben Levine
When is a book about history truly a gift? How about when it enriches the dirt/pavement under your feet, brings back sights and folks long gone, or replaces misconceptions you may have with documented reality? Maybe it's just its beauty as a book: form and content. Such a book is THE STORY OF HISTORIC KINGSTON by Stephen Blauweiss and Karen Berelowitz. Gobble it end to end, read it like a magazine, keep it where you can grab it to show a friend an amazing and rare photograph. It's true magic.
– Kurt Henry
My mom Dolores is so excited with the book, she only puts it down to eat and sleep.
– Debra Kahmke
As much as I saw in the previews and proofs, none of that compares to holding this massive book in your lap and looking at the great images, page after page! Much more than I expected, and I was expecting a masterpiece from the two of you. Well done!!!!!!!!! Now to start from the first page and savor and relish this beautiful creation.
– Jack Murphy, New Paltz Historical Society
It is a monumental achievement !!!
– Sylvia Leonard Wolf, Fine Art Appraiser and Consultant
Just a quick note to let you know that I LOVE the book. Thank you, thank you for the job you have done.
– Susan Gregory
My friends Karen Berelowitz and Stephen Blauweiss have created a fantastic resource for Kingston-lovers. It’s a beautiful labor of love and fascinating in both detail and breadth.
– Debra Bresnan
The book is absolutely gorgeous. The word that came to my mind was “impressive”. Thank you both so much for all of the hard work you put into this amazing gathering of historic, interesting and humorous information about our city of Kingston.
– Gloria DeFalco
Just holy cow- the book is truly a masterpiece and gives me goosebumps! I love how it begins and how it feels. It’s quite an accomplishment. Kingston is lucky to have you and this book will be enjoyed by many. Cheers to you both!
– Lex Feldheim, Owner, Kingston Ceramics Studio
This book is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in the history of this very special place we live. Never to my knowledge has a photographic collection been compiled that is as complete, as informative and as well-presented as Stephen & Karen's "The Story of Historic Kingston". In every sense, this book is a Bible for Kingston historians of every level. 100 years from now, it will still be found on the shelves of Kingstonians and beyond. And that is as it should be.
– Paul O'Neill, Ulster County Commissioner of Jurors