Borscht Belt: Wurtsboro, Spring Glen & Highview | 20th Historic Marker

20 markers!

The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is closing out its 2026 season in Wurtsboro, Spring Glen & Highview with the dedication of their 20th historic marker!

Come celebrate with us on Sunday, October 18 at 2 PM at the Mamakating Historical Society in Wurtsboro. We’ll be looking at the hotels, people, businesses, entertainment and tourism that helped make this region iconic, with archival material and plenty of Catskills history along the way.

The dedication will feature Judi Kirschenbaum, daughter of legendary Borscht Belt comedian Freddie Roman, and Gary Dan, historian and family descendant of Shawanga Lodge.

At 3:00 PM, historian Alex Prizgintas will present “A Look at Sullivan County Before the Borscht Belt,” an illustrated look at the area’s early tourism history and the evolution of its resort culture.

Following, selections from Peter Davis’s rare 1986 documentary, The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt, will screen.

The Mamakating Historical Society will also have exhibits and archival materials on view. There will be a hot dog cart and drinks available for for purchase, plus a raffle.

SCHEDULE:
Sunday, October 18, 2026

2:00 PM: Historic Marker Dedication
Mamakating Historical Society, 136 Summitville Road, Wurtsboro

Featuring Judi Kirschenbaum, daughter of legendary Borscht Belt comedian Freddie Roman, and Gary Dan, historian and Shawanga Lodge family descendant.

3:00 – 3:30 PM: Illustrated historical lecture with Alex Prizgintas, A Look at Sullivan County Before the Borscht Belt

Following the talk we’ll screen selections from Peter Davis’s rare 1986 documentary The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt.

All events are free and open to the public.

*This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. Additional support generously provided by Sullivan Catskills.