Three New York Facts Even Most Locals Don’t Know About This Witch

It is no secret that I am a fan of The Wizard of Oz. As a child I wasn't so much afraid of the Wicked Witch of the West as I found her mesmerizing. The Flying Monkeys however creeped me out.

The scariest thing to me in that movie was the tornado. Having family in the Midwest that was a bit to real. The Wicked Witch was just a character like the Tin Man and the Wizard. Unfortunately for the actress, Margaret Hamilton who played the Wicked Witch most children were not like me they found her very scary.

The Wicked Witch of the West Margaret Hamilton Lived in the Hudson Valley

It is said that even her grandchildren were taken a back once they realized she had played the famous witch. I guest Margaret's roll as Cora the Maxwell House lady couldn't convince them she wasn't going to still call in those flying monkeys is they misbehaved. Her playing Cora maybe why I love Maxwell House Coffee.

Honestly no matter how many rolls she played which according to YELP was a total of 129, she was always the Wicked Witch of the West to me. So what are a few things that you know about Margaret Hamilton if you are a true native of the Hudson Valley

The Wicked Witch of the West was Not Just An Actress

Hudson Valley locals know that Margaret Hamilton was a Kindergarten Teacher she loved children and Animals. She even went on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood in 1975 to show kids that she was just wearing a costume when she played the Wicked Witch.

The Wicked Witch of the West Lived in the Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley locals also know the although Margaret Hamilton had many places she called home including a place on Cape Island in Southport Maine she called New York and Dutchess County her home. She lived in Millbrook with her only son Hamilton Meserve for many years. I also grew up hearing that she spent time in Beacon but I can't confirm that with anything but Hudson Valley lore.

In 2021 she was celebrated by New York State as a Women of History from Dutchess County. Even though she was born in Ohio Margaret earned her statis as a New Yorker and a resident of the Hudson Valley.

Where The Wicked Witch of the West is Buried

Another fun fact Hudson Valley locals know about Margaret Hamilton is that when she died in Connecticut in May of 1985 she had made arrangements to be cremated in Poughkeepsie. The Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery is where that took place according to Find A Grave. Then per her request her ashes spread around her property in Amenia.

Maybe one of the thing that very few Hudson Valley locals know is where in her property was in Amenia. Turns out we know she is in Amenia but only a few know exactly where her ashes were scattered. The mystery there is you can't track down her address in Amenia, or at least I couldn't. I am sure there are local people who know but if they do they aren't telling.

When getting ready to write this story I reach out to the Amenia Town Clerk via email in hopes of getting the address to share in the article but as of yet I have not heard back.

Bonus Fun Fact about the Wicked Witch of the West

You can see her on the big screen in December. The Wizard of Oz is part of a free movie series at both the Bardavon and UPAC on Thursday December 19th at 7:30 PM.

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