FLEISCHMANNS - Over $450 was raised when the Fleischmanns Mountain Athletic Club hosted the fledging 1859 Rip Van Winkle Base Ball Club for a vintage base ball match to benefit the restoration of the Wellington - a historic 1880’s hotel in the hamlet of Pine Hill that is nearing the finish line of a $10 million fundraising campaign. The M.A.C. was masquerading as the Wellington Blueberry Base Ball Club of Pine Hill as they bested the Rip Van Winkles in both matches of the nine-inning games played by the rules as they were written in 1864.
The Wellington Blueberries is the self-titled name of the group of Pine Hill residents that pooled resources in 2022 to purchase the dilapidated hotel for $600,000 and launched an enormous awareness campaign and capital fundraising project through the Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation (RUPCO) to restore the landmark property to serve community needs. Through the work of the Bluberries, the property was recognized in 2025 by
The National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places and its listing on the National Registry of Historic Places made the property eligible for tax credit financing and a significant Restore NY grant. When completed, the 11,000 square-foot Wellington Pine Hill will have five studio and five one-bedroom market-rate apartments and a retail grocer on the first floor all constructed with attention to preserving the historic integrity and character of the original hotel.
Collin Miller of the M.A.C. said it’s highly likely that some of our original players or opponents, or perhaps even the Fleischmann family themselves stayed at the Wellington during the era of the grand hotels at the turn of the last century. So, the chance to help the cause fits perfectly with the mission of our 1895 ball Club promote local history and a sense of place…It was a no-brainer.”
For more information on the project or to find out how to contribute to the “last mile” of their fundraising goal, visit pinehillwellington.com.
The M.A.C. will travel to Bovina Center Saturday July 18 to celebrate Bovina Day with an 1867 match on Creamery Field with the Dairymen. First pitch is at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
