Fortress West Point and the Hudson River Valley

James M. Johnson, PhD, Colonel, US Army, Retired
NEWBURGH – The Hudson River Valley is a region of phenomenal natural beauty. It is a painters and photographer’s paradise with each season bringing a different set of colors and indigenous flora And fauna to appreciate and record. From small town to the metropolis of New York City, it abounds in cultural opportunities. Historically, it has been recognized as a strategic region. That was certainly true during the time of the American Revolution.
On Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 7pm, James M. Johnson, PhD will speak in the OBTC
Great Room 101 in Kaplan Hall on one of the strategic points along the Hudson River in his
lecture, Fortress West Point and the Hudson River Valley: General George Washington’s “Key
of America.” The presentation should be enlightening to scholars as well as students and the
general public as the speaker is, indeed, an expert in his field being designated at the Military
Historian of the Hudson Valley and Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Institute at
Marist College which is the academic arm of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
Johnson is a retired colonel in U. S. Army, a graduate of the United States Military Academy
where he taught for many years, and presently is the Dr. Frank T. Bumpus Chair in Hudson River Valley History and Associate Professor of History at Marist College. He has been honored with a dozen awards on American History and historic preservation from various historical organizations. He has authored numerous books and articles, and has enjoyed being a Revolutionary War Militia reenactor. In addition to his BS from USMA, he holds an MA and a PhD from Duke University and also an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Come learn about the rich history of this region – the Hudson Valley—from a very engaging
lecturer during this presentation which is free and open to the public.
Kaplan Hall at SUNY Orange is located at the corner of Grand and First Streets, Newburgh, NY. Free, secure parking is available in the parking garage via the 73 First Street entrance.
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