The “Queen City”: A Brief History of Poughkeepsie
5-weeks | Registration opens 8/28/2026 9:00 AM EDT
This course will cover the rich history of Poughkeepsie through its places, people, and notable events. Lectures will include talks about Poughkeepsie's architecture, businesses, artists, and more.
NOTE: This is an updated version of a class previously presented in Fall 2025. This is a five-week class, beginning October 2.
Shannon Butler
Shannon Butler is the historian for the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. She has served in this role for nearly seven years. Previously she served as the historian for the Town of Hyde Park and worked as a park ranger at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site. She is the author of two books, Hyde Park in the Gilded Age and Roosevelt Homes of the Hudson Valley: Hyde Park and Beyond. She is the co-host of the podcast All My Favorite People Are Dead and lives in the city of Poughkeepsie.