The History of the Robert Jenkins House

T. Eric Galloway has overseen the community-focused activities of the Lantern Group since the nonprofit’s establishment in 1997. In 2012, T. Eric Galloway partnered with Henry van Ameringen to launch the Galvan Foundation, which seeks to improve the quality of life for Hudson, New York, communities through grantmaking, architectural conservation, and various other social initiatives.

A $25,000 award from the Galvan Foundation’s July 2014 round of grantmaking allowed the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) to restore the exterior of the historic Robert Jenkins House. Originally constructed in 1811, the Robert Jenkins House boasts a history dating back to the founding of Hudson.

The home sits on land originally purchased by Seth Jenkins Sr., the first mayor of Hudson, who, along with his brother Thomas, was one of the city’s founding proprietors. The land eventually passed to Seth’s son, Robert Jenkins, who built the house that now shares his name. Like his father, Robert Jenkins was a key member of the burgeoning Hudson community, serving as the city’s third and fifth mayor and filling various other political and civic roles.

The Robert Jenkins House became the permanent home of the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of NSDAR on May 15, 1900, when Frances Chester White Hartley presented it to the organization. Mrs. Hartley was not only one of the chapter’s charter members, but also one of Robert Jenkins’ grandchildren; in fact, she was born in the house. Since then, subsequent renovations and restorations have developed the house into the only museum in Hudson. It is now the site of the Robert Jenkins House Genealogical, Research, and History Reading Room and houses a variety of historical artifacts relating to the history of Hudson, the whaling industry, and the American Civil War.

Galvan Foundation Supports Health and Services Organizations

. Eric Galloway is the president of Arete Management, LLC, a professional real estate and fiscal services company. A believer in giving back to the community, T. Eric Galloway founded the Galvan Foundation in 2012 to support local charities in the City of Hudson, New York.

The Galvan Foundation was established to strengthen the social fabric of the community by improving the quality of life for residents of the City of Hudson, especially those who are vulnerable or economically disadvantaged.

One of the Foundation’s core areas of focus is health and related services. To this effect, the Foundation has consistently made grants to local charities working to improve the overall health of the community.

In 2014, the Foundation issued its second largest grant that year to the Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation, to augment its comprehensive art therapy program for child victims of sexual abuse.

The Foundation also supported the Women’s Health Project, run by the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities at the University of Albany, enabling the project’s continuation for a full year.

Going beyond healing to encompass illness prevention, the Foundation also announced that a part of the Galvan Initiative Foundation’s Hudson Arcade building will house a grocery store providing fresh fruit and vegetables at affordable prices, with the goal of improving the overall health of individuals with low incomes.

American Architect Isaac G. Perry

Cofounder of the Galvan Foundation in Hudson, New York, T. Eric Galloway began his career as an attorney after graduating from Harvard Law School. He then served as president of the Lantern Organization, LLC, developing affordable housing for low-income families. T. Eric Galloway and Henry van Ameringen began the Galvan Foundation with the aim to improve the quality of life of all Hudson residents, especially those who are vulnerable or economically disadvantaged.

The Galvan Foundation is currently working to convert the historic Hudson Armory Building into a 26,000-square-foot community center that boasts space for a public library, offices, community events, and a senior center. The armory building was originally designed by prolific New York architect Isaac G. Perry (1822-1904), who was famous along with his father, Seneca Perry, for skill in constructing spiral staircases. His well-known designs also include the New York State Capitol Building and Great Western Staircase, both in Albany.