- The Mountain Eagle

Purple Mountain Press, Publisher of Local & Regional History, Under New Ownership

[Four Partners Look to Revive the Iconic, Independent Publisher Based in the Catskills]

CATSKILL MOUNTAINS – Purple Mountain Press (PMP) is excited to announce a new chapter in its 52-year history: four locals, all with publishing experience, have teamed up to revitalize this beloved indie publisher. Brett Barry, Rebecca Rego Barry, Carolyn Bennett, and Lee Hudson took ownership of the press last month. All are enthusiastic to explore and expand PMP’s deep and impressive backlist of books on New York State history and to share with readers the incredible body of knowledge created by this press.

A shelfie of some current Purple Mountain Press titles

“Independent publishers are an absolutely crucial link to our regional and natural histories, and Purple Mountain Press is such an important example of that. I’m excited to be a part of the next incarnation,” said Brett Barry.

Purple Mountain Press Books

PMP specializes in books about the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Lake George, and Mohawk and Champlain Valleys, particularly related to Colonial history, the Revolutionary War, the natural environment, folklore, Native Americans, maritime history, regional culture, and railroads. The current stable of authors includes such renowned regional natural history experts as Robert and Johanna Titus, and Michael Kudish, and cultural historians Alf Evers, Bill Birns, Dana Cudmore, Tim Duerden, Shirley Dunn, Diane Galusha, Ray LaFever, Carleton Mabee, Bob Steuding, Tim Todish, and Sandra Weber.

Diane Galusha’s Liquid Assets; Michael Kudish’s The Catskill Forest; Carleton Mabee’s Bridging the Hudson

Moving forward, PMP plans to issue new editions of select previously published titles, in different formats with fresh art and introductory material, as well as introduce new books. The owners look forward to connecting with authors, booksellers, librarians, and museum professionals to ensure that these great books about New York state are widely available.

“Purple Mountain Press has brought so much history to so many people. And, of course, it is itself historical. We all look forward to expanding its offerings and providing new works and revived editions of PMP classics," said Carolyn Bennett.

“From Kubick to Galusha, from Kudish to Titus, and a host of other celebrated authors, Purple Mountain Press has illuminated many corners of New York State history,” said Lee Hudson. “It's a privilege to continue its tradition.”

The History of Purple Mountain Press

Founded in 1973 by Wray and Loni Rominger in the village of Fleischmanns, New York, PMP initially published titles about the surrounding Catskills and nearby Hudson Valley, but extended the house’s scope to other regions of New York.

As for its whimsical name–there is no Purple Mountain in the Catskills, after all–Wray was inspired by a dispute with his third-grade teacher, who criticized his drawing of purple mountains. “Mountains aren’t purple,” she said. Wray disagreed. “Did we not sing of the ‘purple mountains’ majesty?’ Confirmation had to wait twenty-three years, however,

until we moved to the Catskills. Driving through the mountains one evening, I startled my wife by exclaiming, ‘By God, they really ARE purple!’”

The great Hudson Valley chronicler Washington Irving thought so too, writing of his first view of the Catskills from a boat on the Hudson:

As we slowly floated along, I lay on the deck and watched them through a long summer’s day, undergoing a thousand mutations under the magical effects of atmosphere; sometimes seeming to approach; at other times to recede; now almost melting into hazy distance, now burnished by the setting sun, until in the evening they painted themselves against the glowing sky in the deep purple of an Italian landscape.

“Taking the reins of this historic press is both thrilling and a little terrifying,” said Rebecca Rego Barry. “I remember when I first started visiting the Catskills in the mid-90s, seeing the Purple Mountain Press sign in Fleischmanns and wondering if maybe I could work there one day. Well, that day has come!”

PMP: Looking Ahead

The press has just unveiled a new logo (pictured above), which will adorn all forthcoming publications. PMP will announce new editions and titles this spring. A launch party is planned in the old PMP building, now The Print House bar, later this year.

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