by Steve Bradley
A new historic marker was dedicated at the Old Maple Grove Cemetery Saturday afternoon. The cemetery was incorporated in 1854 with twelve acres of land. The first person buried there was Erastus Ball in 1855.
The Hoosick Township Historical Society received a grant from the William C. Pomeroy Foundation to erect the marker. Society Director Joyce Brewer was instrumental in writing and submitting the grant for consideration.
A short ceremony preceded the unveiling of the marker. Then Diana Cottrell, Phil Leonard and Corinne Eldred pulled the cover off the marker.
Attendees were invited to go on a tour of the cemetery. The museum published a tour book that shows the graves of the founders of the village of Hoosick Falls. Anyone is welcome to pick up the book at the museum. Emma Cross, John Button, Samantha Brewer and Joyce Brewer prepared the publication.
The Pomeroy Foundation believes that historic markers play an important role is local history by educating the public and fostering historic tourism. They placed their first historic marker in 2006 and have currently placed over 540 markers in 51 New York counties.