Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that former Columbia County Historical Society Trustee Richard Ryan of Kinderhook left the organization an inheritance of $250,000 for the James Vanderpoel House. Ryan died in 2022, and his will states the historical society gets the money if they raise a matching $250,000 by October 2024. Historical Society Executive Director Lisa Weilbacker said, “Conserving a historic building like the James Vanderpoel House requires constant care and the ability to meet unforeseen challenges.... Unlocking these funds will allow us to be better stewards for the long term.” The Vanderpoel House dates back to 1819 or 1820 and was built by prominent lawyer and civic leader James Vanderpoel. The Daughters of Columbia County Historical Society, a precursor to the Columbia County Historical Society, bought the property in 1925. Ryan lived across Broad Street in Kinderhook from the Vanderpoel House. There will be a celebration of Ryan’s life at the James Vanderpoel House in June. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.