What is the Hudson River Valley?
The Hudson River Valley is one of the America’s most important scenic, cultural, economic, and historic regions. For many of the European colonists, the 315-mile long river was America’s first river, discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609. For the Algonquin peoples the Hudson estuary was called Mohicanituk, “The River That Flows Both Ways.” For all who have seen it and experienced its magic, the Hudson River and its valley live up to the claim “the landscape that defined America.” Recognizing its national value, in 1996 Congress formed the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to recognize, to preserve, to protect, and to interpret the nationally significant history and resources of the valley for the benefit of the nation. Congress deemed the Hudson River Valley to be nationally significant because it has provided the setting and inspiration for new currents of American thought, art, and history and was the “fountainhead of a truly American identity.” Great Houses, American Revolutio
