Big Progress for Nicholas J. Juried Sharon Museum & History Center

Snow rollers were still popular in our area even less than 100 years ago! Their purpose was to pack down snow for sleds and sleighs. Photo courtesy of the Sharon Historical Society.

By Alexis Pencar

The Village of Sharon Springs has had quite the improvement on the north end with big progress and visible renovations being completed for the new Nicholas J. Juried Sharon Museum & History Center, that also includes the “Historic Village”, just across from the old Spa.

Thanks to a crucial and very generous donation from philanthropist Nicholas J. Juried back in September 2022 for $65,000, the Sharon Historical Society, led by President Ron Ketelsen, has been able to quickly move on this integral project. The unexpected donation to the Museum Expansion Project was considered a “windfall” and has helped to make this all a reality.

In 2024, the hardworking Sharon Historical Society, was able to get all of the “Village shops” like the General Store, Post Office, and more

completed on the outside with the need for “some warm weather to complete the insides”. There still is some touch-up painting and then the exciting staging of each shop left as well.

Most of the Fall was spent installing new windows in the Nicholas J. Juried Sharon Museum and History Center, which is located around back on Center Street. There was also new siding installed covering gaps from the old windows. Earlier in the season there was enough warm weather to get one coat of paint on the exterior of that building too. In addition, all of the electrical wiring necessary has been run throughout the new museum building. Next up on the list is the heating and cooling system, the plumbing, then the spray foam insulation/ drywall. With the current timeline, the new 3-story elevator and addition will come early spring, with the hope for a completed museum building by the end of 2025.

From President Ron Ketelsen: “All of the amazing Sharon Historical Society projects would not have been possible without the generous donations of our good friend, Nick Juried. He has been so supportive of our museum project and we cannot thank him enough for his belief in what we are doing to preserve the history of the Town of Sharon and the Village of Sharon Springs. There have also been a number of other individuals who have been very generous and have made donations to our building project. We will be installing a new

donation board near the gazebo this spring to acknowledge our wonderful benefac-

tors.”

Remember, there are lots of volunteer opportunities in 2025 with the Sharon Historical Society and they are always looking for new members! Call (518) 860-5513 to see how you can become involved!