Hudson-Fulton Celebration Commission

The Hudson-Fulton Celebration was held September 25 - October 11, 1909 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson discovering the Hudson River in 1609 and the 100th anniversary of the first commercial steamboat service, started by Robert Fulton in 1607. Communities along the River observed the celebration, with events occurring from Staten Island to Cohoes, New York.

From the description of Hudson-Fulton Celebration Commission Records, 1905-1913 (bulk 1909-1911). (New-York Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 479755813

The Hudson-Fulton Celebration was an event given in 1909 to commemorate the achievements of Henry Hudson, the English explorer credited with the European discovery in 1609 of the river now known as the Hudson River, and Robert Fulton, the engineer credited with the invention of the first commercially successful steamboat. The main pageant began at the Soldiers and Sailors' Memorial Arch in Brooklyn's Prospect Park Plaza and continued on Eastern Parkway to Buffalo Avenue. A major attraction of the pageant was the participation of the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet.

From the guide to the Hudson-Fulton Celebration napkin, 1909, (Brooklyn Historical Society)

The week-long Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909 was held to observe the 300th anniversary of Hudson's discovery of the Hudson River and the 100th year since Robert Fulton began the first commercial steamboat (the Clermont) service between New York City and Albany, NY.

From the description of Hudson-Fulton Celebration Collection [graphic]. ca. 1909. (New-York Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 479700967