Two new trustees – Alana Siegel of New Kingston and Michael Fairbairn of Millbrook – were elected to the Board of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown at its 18th Annual Meeting October 22. Long-time HSM President Diane Galusha was also re-elected to a three-year term.
In the annual report to members, Galusha provided an update on plans to build an addition on the HSM program hall on Cemetery Road near Margaretville.
“We have good news!,” Galusha announced. “Construction on the 1100-square-foot addition to our hall will begin in the spring!” Cole and Griffin (Rob Cole and Gina Griffin) have been engaged to build the addition using plans developed by engineer Paul Gossen.
This will accommodate the archives with room to work on historic materials as well as a reading/research space. There will be an office, an accessible rest room and a lobby with some display space. The addition will be utilized year-round, while the hall itself will continue to accommodate programs in the warmer months.
Added Galusha, “On top of the good news comes great news: The Pasternak Family Foundation has confirmed a pledge of $50,000 towards the project, and the O’Connor Foundation has approved our $75,000 funding request!”
Expressing appreciation to these benefactors, Galusha also hailed the Nicholas J. Juried Foundation for its $100,000 gift which lifted the capital campaign in its early days. In addition, more than $100,000 has been raised from 146 individual and business donors, and a grant of $50,000 has also been pledged by the State of New York.
Noted Galusha, “While we have the funds to get started on the project, we cannot be sure of the ultimate cost of construction materials, furnishings, fixtures and landscaping. So we will renew the Capital Campaign to be sure we are not caught short.” To donate or become a member, visit mtownhistory.org
Two new trustees have joined the HSM Board to work on this project and others.
Alana Siegel completed an undergraduate degree in Language and Literature at Bard College, worked at Station Hill press in Barrytown, and then moved to San Francisco where she devoted much of her time to experimental education projects and events. From 2016 to 2019, she completed a classical three-year Buddhist retreat. Alana helped organize the reincarnated New Kingston Whoop-de-Doo in August.
Michael Fairbairn was born in the old Margaretville Hospital, grew up in the Hudson Valley and graduated from Kingston High School. He hails from a long line of Fairbairns and portrayed one of them – Niles Fairbairn – in HSM’s very first Living History Cemetery Tour in 2012. He has also been a re-enactor of French and Indian, Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers.
While welcoming the new trustees and thanking members of the HSM Board for their work in guiding the organization, Galusha especially noted the contributions of outgoing trustee Amy Taylor who is departing the Board after eight years of service. Others on the Board are Doris Warner, Pat Moore, Josef Schoell, Agnes Laub, Barbara Moses, Linda Armour and Gary Smith.
“Because of the actions of this group of remarkable people and a cadre of enthusiastic volunteers, HSM can list several activities and accomplishments over the past year,” Galusha said. Six programs drew a wide spectrum of participants, from metal detecting enthusiasts who attended the 6th Annual Relic Hunt, to nearly 100 people who braved inclement weather for the 9th Living History Cemetery Tour. Farm boarding houses and the life and work of photographer Irene Fay were spotlighted. HSM also coordinated a day of family fun at the Old Stone School and hosted a railroad hike on the famous Horseshoe Curve in Highmount.
Treasurer Pat Moore presented a summary of HSM finances, noting that several repairs and improvements were made to the hall this year, including installing a new concrete floor.
HSM continues to accept items for its growing collection of historic materials. Those with Middletown-related items to donate are invited to contact Collections Chair Barbara Moses.
Those gathered for the annual meeting then heard Rebecca Rego Barry’s entertaining program, “Rare Books Uncovered: Stories of Fantastic Finds in Unlikely Places.”
To conclude the afternoon, which featured a luncheon catered by Mary’s Cookin’ Again, the winning ticket for the raffled “Catskills in a Basket” was drawn. Tina Greene of Arkville was the lucky winner!