150th Celebration

On August 18, the city of Poughkeepsie celebrated the 150th anniversary of its charter. While Poughkeepsie has existed much longer than 150 years, it officially became a city on March 28, 1854.

Highlights of the event included a special delivery by pony express, speeches by Mayor Nancy Cozean and US Representative Maurice Hinchey, and a performance by the Concert Band of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Among the pieces performed was "Wings of Eagles" composed by Poughkeepsie native Joseph Bertolozzi. Bertolozzi, a recipient of a 2004 Artist Fellowship for Excellence in Music Composition by the Dutchess County Arts Council, created the piece specifically for the site, placing trumpets above the nearby Poughkeepsie Journal and Post Office buildings, and enlisting local bell towers to join in the finale.