Beyond the Frame: Highlights from the HRM Archive

For over a century, the Hudson River Museum has been a cornerstone of the Yonkers community, offering a dynamic and welcoming space to learn about American art, science, and history from the nineteenth century to the present day. Today, our collection contains more than 23,000 objects, ranging from paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts to historical photographs. As part of our goal to make our collection more accessible to the public, we recently embarked on a major initiative to scan thousands of archival materials, unearthing never-before-seen images that help tell a more inclusive story of the history of Yonkers.

Beyond the Frame showcases more than a century of everyday life and perseverance in Yonkers, as well as the HRM’s role in the Yonkers cultural scene and beyond. Highlights include rare photographs illustrating how the Museum’s historic home, Glenview, began as a residence, as well as documentation of the lives of Yonkers residents who made the city what it is today.

This ambitious project was initially funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Our federal grant was abruptly terminated in April 2025 as a part of an unprecedented nationwide Executive Order that has impacted numerous museums and libraries. The grant was provisionally reinstated, however funding remains tenuous. Thanks to individual community members stepping forward with their generous support, we remain committed to continuing work on this important element of our growing collection.

Digitization is more than a technical process—it is an investment in access, equity, and education. It ensures that the rich stories contained in these photographs and documents—including voices historically underrepresented—are preserved and made widely available for scholars, students, artists, and curious minds everywhere. This work matters. It deepens our understanding of American history, enhances classroom learning, and fosters a more inclusive cultural record.

We invite you to join us in making this possible. Your support—at any level—helps safeguard these important materials and ensures that future generations can learn from and be inspired by them. Visit hrm.org/fund-digitization to make a gift today.

Beyond the Frame is co-curated by Alyssa Habig, Registrar and Collection Manager, Anna Jacobson, Digitization Technician, and Becca Muffler, Collection Assistant, with additional support from Sarah Lawrence College interns Charlotte Hudnall and Kahlen Miao.

Support for this exhibition is generously provided by Samantha Merton and Brett Humphreys.

Exhibitions are made possible by assistance provided by the County of Westchester.