October 8, 2015
Dear Friends,
For almost 20 years, a dedicated group of volunteers has been working to restore the physical links to Hopewell Junction's railroad past. Three years ago, we opened the hamlet's last-standing railroad building to the public.
Now, we have almost reached our fund-raising goal to complete the next phase of preserving and showcasing the region's railroad history — and bring the first real restrooms to the adjacent Dutchess Rail Trail. But we need your help.
We would like to break ground this fall on a full-size reproduction of the switching tower that once stood across the trail from the 1873 depot. Restrooms on the first floor will provide relief for runners, walkers and cyclists and the second floor will feature exhibits about the operation of the Hopewell rail yard.
To date, we have raised about 80% of the project's $70,000 cost, thanks to rail-trail users and community members like yourself, area businesses, such as the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, and grants from organizations such as the Nuhn Foundation of Poughkeepsie, the Tom E. Dailey Foundation and the PBA. . If you have already given, we thank you. If you haven't, please consider making a tax-deductible donation by the end of the month. Either way, we would love for you to help us by sharing our request with your family, friends and colleagues.
The depot entertains about 1,000 visitors a year and many more pass by on the rail trail. The tower will add to the historic value of our park. It will also allow us to entertain field trips for students and interested groups which we cannot now do without restroom facilities.
So please consider joining our campaign by making a tax-deductible donation. You can do so on our online fundraising page, www://hopewelldepot.causevox.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, or at the Depot's website,
http://www.hopewelldepot.org/index.php/tower" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Both pages feature an explanatory video.
Or, you could send a donation to Hopewell Depot Tower Project, P.O. Box 1044, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. (Also, if your employer supports matching grants, please forward the application to that address.)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you so much.
Joe Sullivan, president, Hopewell Depot Restoration Corp. 845-729-2636 or
[email protected]