Wurtsboro, Spring glen & highview

MARKER LOCATION:

Mamakating Historical Society

136 Summitville Road

Wurtsboro, NY 12790

MARKER DEDICATION: 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18    

                                
20 markers!

We’re closing out the 2026 season with our 20th historic marker, celebrating Wurtsboro, Spring Glen & Highview.

Come celebrate with us on Sunday, October 18 at 2 PM at the Mamakating Historical Society in Wurtsboro. We’ll be looking at the hotels, people, businesses, entertainment and tourism that helped make this region iconic, with archival material and plenty of Catskills history along the way.

The dedication will feature Judy Kirschenbaum, daughter of legendary Borscht Belt comedian Freddie Roman, and Gary Dan, historian and family descendant of Shawanga Lodge.

At 3:00 PM, historian Alex Prizgintas will present A Look at Sullivan County Before the Borscht Belt, an illustrated look at the area’s early tourism history and the evolution of its resort culture.

Throughout the afternoon, selections from Peter Davis’s rare 1986 documentary, The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt, will screen continuously.

The Mamakating Historical Society will also have exhibits and archival materials on view. There will be a hot dog cart, drinks and light bites available for purchase, plus a raffle.

SCHEDULE:

Sunday, October 18, 2026

2:00 PM: Historic Marker Dedication
Mamakating Historical Society, 136 Summitville Road, Wurtsboro

Featuring Judy Kirschenbaum, daughter of legendary Borscht Belt comedian Freddie Roman, and Gary Dan, historian and Shawanga Lodge family descendant.

3:00 PM: Illustrated historical lecture with Alex Prizgintas, A Look at Sullivan County Before the Borscht Belt

Throughout the afternoon: Selections from Peter Davis’s rare 1986 documentary, The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt, will screen continuously.

All events are free and open to the public.

*  This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. Additional support generously provided by Sullivan Catskills.