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Retired Navy Lt. Richard G. Hopkins and his daughter, Susan Hopkins, attended a presentation ceremony Nov .1 at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel.
Hopkins, whose family roots date back to before the Revolution, also donated items from Putnam County’s past.
He was born on Oak Street in Brewster, and his family moved to Carmel when he was young.
Hopkins still lives in Westchester and frequent the museum.
Among the exhibits are ship models he donated in honor of his late brother, T/5 Reed Hopkins, a member of the Army's 1257 Combat Engineers Battalion.
Reed, also a Carmel native, died in France during World War II.
The ship models include the USS Decatur and USS Porter, two vessels on which Hopkins served during his 28 years of active duty with the Navy and an additional two years of service in the Reserves.
Hopkins is the sixth-generation descendant of Lt. Solomon Hopkins of the 6th Dutchess County Regiment with the New York Militia during the Revolutionary War.
Solomon’s wife, Elizabeth Crosby, was the sister of Enoch Crosby, the famed Revolutionary War soldier and spy.
He presented the museum with a framed drawing of the Enoch Crosby house in Brewster to add to the commemorative display of the soldier/spy.
“A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Enoch Crosby Chapter gave it to me; and when I first saw the display here, I thought it would be perfect to donate it,” said Susan.
“We are so grateful to Lt. Hopkins for his service and the generosity of his family,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell.
“Adding this beautiful drawing of the Enoch Crosby house to our Veterans Memorial Museum is rare a gift. This historic treasure will be appreciated by many visitors for years to come.”
The Putnam County Veteran Memorial Park is at 201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel.
The hours are Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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