Only Locals Know About This Secret Hudson Valley Door

The Hudson Valley is filled with historic and hidden gems. I came across Uncle Sam's house in Catskill, NY which is now a tiki bar that guests can visit.

There's a giant Hippie Muffler Man statue in Bethel, NY that can be spotted only out of the corner of your eye when driving by. Some of these historic and hidden gems are discovered by locals while they happen to spot them, randomly.

A Hudson Valley organization came across a piece of the past while they were in the middle of construction.

Hudson Valley Historic Center Discovers A Piece Of The Past

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History is located in Kingston, NY. They offer historic bakery tours on site and an experience in their newest gallery exhibition Taking Root: Immigrant Stories of the Hudson Valley. 

This Immigrant Culture and History Center brings stories to life and is a place where community members can come together and embrace each other's culture.

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History was a family owned, immigrant Jewish bakery in the 1950's. Hudson Valley residents have shared stories of how they can remember receiving deliveries from the Reher family and their baked goods.

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History shared information,

"Today, the site is a museum and cultural center that preserves and honors the legacy of Reher's Bakery and amplifies immigrant stories of the Hudson Valley, past and present. "

While The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History takes guests on guided tours of this bakery, they hear stories and can see original artifacts.  I enjoyed visiting this historical site and learning about others' stories.

Additional information about the tours they offer and tickets can be found on their website. Recently, The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History discovered a piece of the past.

SEE MORE: You'd Never Guess New York State's Original Name

A Secret Door Was Discovered At The Reher Center In Ulster County, NY

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History made a post on social media.

They informed their followers and local residents that they were going through construction on site. As this organization continued to keep local residents informed, they shared that they were surprised to discover a piece of the past.

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History shared,

"🚪Our construction work has uncovered a surprising discovery in the bakery’s oven room–a hidden door! Dating to sometime before 1910 when the building next door was constructed, this secret door adds to the story of our building and how the Rehers may have used their oven room."

 

What Was This Hidden Door Used For In The Building Of The Reher Center In Kingston, NY?

They continue to explain that they didn't know what the secret door was used for but took guesses of why it was there. The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History questioned if the door was a way for the Reher family to receive deliveries from. 

The Reher family owned the building starting in 1908 and for several years after that.

They continued to share,

"However, a man named James Van Buren ran a leather and hide business out of 99 Broadway from 1883 to 1900, so it’s likely that he got more use out of the door than the Rehers did."

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History explained that they have been learning about the history of the building while construction happens on site.

They look forward to showing more historical finds along the way.

Additional information about The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History can be found on their website and social media platforms.

What do you think about this door? What do you think it was used for? Tell us more below.