Senate Resolution No. 1912
BY: Senator HINCHEY
MOURNING the death of William Barnabas McHenry,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, William Barnabas (Barney) McHenry, attorney,
philanthropist, and Korean War veteran, died in June of 2025, at the age
of 95, leaving an indelible mark on the Hudson Valley; and
WHEREAS, Barney McHenry was born to William Cecil and Louise
(Perkins) McHenry in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on October 30, 1929; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, Barney McHenry joined the Board of Trustees of
Boscobel House and Gardens, a major historic landmark in the Hudson
Valley dating from 1808 and featuring dramatic Hudson River views; it
was rescued from demolition by preservationists and physically moved to
its present location in Philipstown; he proudly served on the Boscobel
board for 55 years, overseeing what is now an esteemed museum containing
one of the finest collections of decorative arts from the United States'
Federal period; he retired as Chair on December 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, A visionary leader and passionate advocate for the Hudson
Valley, Barney McHenry was the founding Chairman of the Hudson River
Valley Greenway which is an innovative state agency that was and
continues to be foundational for maintaining the Maurice D. Hinchey
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area by working with local, state,
and federal governments, communities, nonprofit organizations, and
private partners to protect, preserve, and celebrate the scenic,
natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources contained
therein; and
WHEREAS, Barney McHenry's guidance and commitment to the Hudson
River Valley Greenway was indispensable to establishing critical
partnerships and building the organization into what it is today, the
preeminent force for preserving and promoting the natural and cultural
resources of the Hudson River Valley; and
WHEREAS, Part of Barney McHenry's vision for the Hudson Valley
culminated in the completion of the Empire State Trail through the
Greenway with the Hudson Valley portion of the Trail serving as the
vital link connecting the northern, western, and southern regions of the
State; and
WHEREAS, After more than 70 years of languishing in a state of
disrepair, Barney McHenry spearheaded and championed the effort to
restore the Tower of Victory at Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh
and co-chaired the effort to rehabilitate the landmark with the late
Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey, working together to revitalize the
iconic memorial to George Washington, also known as the first monument
to peace, and safeguarding the legacy of a key location of the American
Revolution; and
WHEREAS, Barney McHenry was also integral to the creation and
success of the Open Space Institute from its early days, serving as a
longtime trustee; he recognized that the Hudson Valley's unique beauty,
history, and ecological significance were worthy of the highest levels
of protection and care; and
WHEREAS, Barney McHenry's unmatched passion for conserving the
environment, especially in the Hudson Valley, and protecting its scenic,
cultural, and ecological importance is memorialized through the Open
Space Institute's "Barney McHenry Hudson River Valley Awards," which
provide financial support to the next generation of conservationists who
continue his legacy through projects that promote and protect the
history and environment of the Hudson River Valley; to date, more than
70 young adults have received McHenry Awards and stipends to work with
nonprofit organizations on environmental, cultural, artistic, and
historic projects; and
WHEREAS, Barney McHenry was also a trustee for the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center, New York Zoological
Society, American Museum of Natural History, and many other
philanthropic and cultural organizations; he was genuinely committed to
advancing the goals of nonprofit organizations along the Hudson River
from New York City to Albany, proudly supporting their efforts to
enhance the quality of life in the region; and
WHEREAS, Few people have had a greater impact on preserving the
Hudson Valley's landscapes, character, and heritage; Barney McHenry
leaves a legacy as one of New York State's foremost conservationists and
environmentalists, a leader who brought vision, persistence, and a
second-to-none commitment to his work with the Hudson River Valley
Greenway, Boscobel House and Gardens, and numerous other conservation
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Endowed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a strong
sense of compassion and decency, Barney McHenry leaves behind a legacy
which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
salute the life and mourn the passing of Barney McHenry, distinguished
citizen, consummate gentleman, and devoted member of his community; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of William Barnabas McHenry.
