KINDERHOOK, SOUTH MAPLE AVENUE

It's like taking a walk into the last century. You step from the noise and commotion of one of the busiest sections of Greensburg into a small neighborhood of historical homes that appear almost as they did one hundred years ago. This is Kinderhook, the block of South Maple Avenue between Main Street and Fourth Avenue.

The area encompassing what is known today as Kinderhook was originally a field, or commons, just inside the borough limits. A portion of the commons west of Main Street served as a cemetery; later, a children's playground claimed additional space. Both have since disappeared, replaced in today's world by commercial enterprises and parking areas. The eastern section of the commons gradually became a residential area. The name "Kinderhook" was selected for this neighborhood circa 1840 when the population was predominantly German. Translated, it means "children's corner," and was named for the birthplace of President Martin Van Buren in New York.

As portrayed in Mrs. Lynche's painting, the houses in the South Maple Avenue area of Kinderhook reflect a turn-of-the-century flavor. Hidden away from this view are many quaint, private gardens. To spotlight this historic little corner of the city, Kinderhook was declared an official historical site in 1997 by then Greensburg Mayor Scott Brown.

Delores A. Lynch


Delores "Dolly" Lynch was born and raised in Pittsburgh's East End. Her formal training began in elemen­tary school when she was chosen to participate in the Tam-O-Shanters' art classes at Carnegie Museum. Each year from fifth grade through high school her education was enriched with Saturday instruction in drawing, painting, and critiquing art. One of her fellow students at that time was a ' young Andy Warhola. After graduation, she furthered her experience by attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Ms. Lynch did layouts and wrote copy for the Advertising Department of the Pittsburgh Press until she left the city. After moving to Latrobe, she found an outlet for her artistic talent as an occupational therapist in the Latrobe Hospital

Mental Health Unit, helping patients express themselves through such activities as crafts, pottery, and painting. During this period, she also continued painting at home.

After retirement she took classes and workshops with numerous regional artists and began entering shows. Dolly became a regular "Wednesday Night Painter," meeting with other artists at the Greensburg Art Center. After years of using oils and acrylics, she turned to watercolors as her medium of choice, finding it both challenging and exciting. She still finds time to paint and volunteer at both the Greensburg Art Center and Latrobe Art Club.