submitted by Bill Zimmerman
The Stephentown Historical Society was formed on November 8, 1973, with 21 charter members. With 137 members now, the Society celebrated its 40th Anniversary on Sunday, November 3, with an open house at the Heritage Center on Garfield Road.[private]The afternoon’s festivities began with a welcome by President Bill Zimmerman. Charter Members Janet Atwater and Susie Cooper were recognized, and the current officers and Board of Directors were introduced. Although no Town officials were able to be present, Society members were pleased by the presence of County Executive Kathy Jimino, County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote and County Historian Kathryn Sheehan. Certificates of appreciation and congratulations were presented by Jimino and by the Legislators.
Activities and exhibits throughout the afternoon included displays on the Civil War, the 1948/98 Stephentown Elementary School time capsule, Elroy Face, the Rutland Railroad, one room schoolhouses of Stephentown, Stephentown cemeteries, a name-that-gadget game, a Stephentown general knowledge quiz box, a children’s table of arts and crafts, genealogy consultation, George Holcomb’s Diary and a brief history of the activities and accomplishments of the Stephentown Historical Society over its 40 years of community service.
Hors d’oeuvres were available throughout the afternoon to the nearly 75 guests, and at 4 pm cake and ice cream were served and door prizes awarded. The Society thanks Marilyn Osgood and her committee for their efforts in putting together the program and Bev McClave for her work on many of the exhibits. More importantly, the Society would like to thank the residents of Stephentown and neighboring communities for their support over the past 40 years.
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