Kingston New York - The Architectural Guide, published in early 2003, is a 205-page copiously illustrated guide to Kingston's 375 years of architecture, reflecting almost every style in America's architectural history. Over 134 sites are illustrated and described. Conceived by FHK Director Jane Kellar, the book was written by William B. Rhoads, Professor of Art History at the State of New York at New Paltz. Recent photographs are by James Bleecker and historic photographs include many previously unavailable to the public from the William J. O'Reilly Collection. The book benefited from Dr. Rhoads' 25 years of research into Kingston's buildings and their architects.

Organized in nine sections or "tours," Kingston New York - The Architectural Guide can be read in a comfortable chair or used on a succession of driving tours of Kingston. Each of the book's tours is preceded by a map and a description of the neighborhood. Rhoads' eclectic choices of buildings range from Dutch Colonial stone buildings through Kingston's recently restored 1875 City Hall to a representative example of the neighborhood grocery store. "Lost Kingston" is also represented in a section with historic photographs of buildings that might have been saved. A final chapter is devoted to brief histories of individual architects, some with national reputations and others local to Kingston or the Hudson Valley. In addition to photographs and maps, illustrations include a number of house plans and drawings. A brief glossary of architectural terms is provided.

Published by Black Dome Press, Kingston New York - The Architectural Guide benefits from a book designed for ease of use. Edited by FHK Public Relations Director Pat Murphy, the text and accompanying picture were laid out to be visible together. "We wanted people to be able to drive around the city using this book," says Murphy. J. Winthrop Aldrich, retired Deputy Commissioner of Historic Preservation for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, wrote a foreword for the book that says in part, "There is not one building pictured or described in this book that we can afford to lose. Not one!"

Copies of Kingston New York - The Architectural Guide are available in the FHK Museum store for $16.95 each.