Helen Garrisson

Helen Garrison has lived in Hudson, NY her whole life, and until recently, there were four generations of her family living in her current residence. In her oral history interview, Helen recalls her early Childhood years and discusses the challenges of moving homes around the city, which required her to change schools regularly. She and her mother worked at the old Pocketbook factory, where they would sew the frames onto pocketbooks. This iconic building has since then been repurposed as an arts and events space. Helen reminisces about the places in Hudson that are no longer around: Moxie’s Urban Italian Bistro where her parents would eat dinner most weekends, Columbia Diner famous for its Yankee Pot Roast Sandwiches, and Vasilow’s which has been converted from an ice cream shop into a candy store. She notes the influx of tourists from the availability of b&bs, which have disrupted the tranquility of her street. Helen reflects on time spent with her father where they would go fishing down by the Hudson River and catch eels which he shared with the locals. Her husband, Doug, is a member of the Hudson Power Boat Association, and they often celebrate the fourth of July on the boat with her family. Helen shares the memory of meeting Doug for the first time at the Half Moon on Thanksgiving evening. Finally, she discusses the importance of her children and grandchildren in her life.

This interview would be of interest to those curious to hear more about the institutions that were once popular in Hudson, NY that are no longer around.