The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center Turns 20

From its ‘humble beginning,’ the award-winning
organization fosters a sense of literary community

James Hilger
For The Hudson Independent

The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center began as a series of poetry readings at Tarrytown’s Warner Library in 1983, became incorporated in 1988 and, 20 years later, has developed far beyond its original scope. “It was a place for area writers to read their work,” Margo Stever, center founder and poet, said. “It was a very humble beginning.” (Margo Stever, at left in photo by S. Stowe, with center director Jerri Lynn Fields).

The center has since established a strong presence in the Hudson Valley area through its numerous courses, readings, publications and workshops, and, for the second time, the Writers’ Center was the award-winning recipient this year of the Westchester Arts Council Arts Organization of the Year.

Early on the not-for-profit Writers’ Center began producing “chapbooks”— collections of some of the country’s best poets. Historically, chapbooks began in the 16th century as a way to spread news, stories and entertainment to people. The volumes were carried under chaps or saddle flaps by “chapmen,” usually itinerants who would sell them for a few pennies.

The tradition continued with the center’s own imprint, Slapering Hol Press (Old Dutch for Sleepy Hollow) that was founded in 1990 by Stever. The first chapbook was “Voices from the River,” a slim volume that featured poetry by Billy Collins, Amiri Baraka, Hayden Carruth and others.

Slapering Hol Press has proved to be a boon for emerging, as yet unpublished, writers who can hope to appear in their own chapbook. Many of the Slapering Hol Press authors have gone on to publish their first books and win acclaim in the poetry world.

In 1996 the center moved into the then dilapidated Philipse Manor train station. It received a grant from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, as well as other public and private sources to restore this historic structure. After a complex analysis of the site, the building was painstakingly restored to its original condition including accoutrements such as a stone fireplace. In 2005 the restoration was recognized with the Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation from the Preservation League of New York State.

The restored site, with its panoramic view of the Hudson River, has always been a charming and unique place for classes and workshops. However, the noise level of recent construction to the train station and its platforms forced the center to temporarily relocate its daytime classes to the Junior League building in Tarrytown. The center’s executive director Jerri Lynn Fields offered “heartfelt thanks to the Junior League for its thoughtful generosity and community spirit.”

The center continues to foster a sense of literary community that has not only helped shape the writing and thinking of scores of people in the Hudson Valley, but also what it means to be a writers’ center today. At the age of 20, with its courses, speakers, workshops and open mic nights, the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center continues to offer something — literally and literarily — for everyone.

James Hilger is a freelance writer.

If  You Go
The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center
300 Riverside Drive
Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Call 332-5953 or visit www.writerscenter.org.