Harpersfield Historical Society Issues Appeal: We Need Members to Continue

By Liz Page

HARPERSFIELD – The few remaining members of the Harpersfield Historical Society are issuing an appeal to town residents and others with an interest in local history that they need to get involved. Their notice reads: "We desperately need members willing to take positions on our board for the Historical Society to continue."

The society has worked hard to obtain property and erect a museum and barn where people can visit and view displays and artifacts of the town's history. "We have a wonderful museum and research library and we hate to see it closed due to a lack of active members," states the press release. "We are asking the community to get involved, especially those who have lived here for a long time.

"Our next meeting will be on April 8 at 3 p.m. at the Harpersfield Historical building located just behind the Harpersfield Post Office."

Like many other organizations, the lack of new members to carry on the hard work and dedication is a problem. Members have worked hard to establish the museum which is filled with artifacts and town history. It is a place for research, with books, manuscripts, papers, photographs and other records and materials available. The barn now houses historic farm machinery and large historic artifacts.

Many of the current board members are "aging out" and are no longer able to serve in an active capacity. Others have passed.

The once active group has done much to preserve and provide access to a great deal of history. They would like to see that carried on.

Chris Santimossano, secretary for the group, said someone is going to have to step up or the buildings will revert back to the town and the historical society will no longer exist. Serving as secretary for many years, she said it is time for some younger members to come on board and get involved in preserving the town's history.

Not long ago, the HHS erected 10 new commemorative markers at various locations of historical significance throughout the town, such as the Sugar Bush Raid and McKee Family Massacre. Those locations have been mapped out for a driving tour. They invite visitors to do further research on the Sugar Bush Raid and many other topics of interest at the museum, where you can learn how to research with the historical society's online newspaper collection, tour the museum and barn exhibits.

Members have worked to keep the museum open each Saturday during the summer months.

The purpose of the HHS, which was organized in 1976 and re-organized in 2003, is: To promote and encourage original historical research; To disseminate and encourage a greater knowledge of the history of the State of New York, Delaware County, and particularly the Town of Harpersfield and its environs; To gather, preserve, display and make available for study artifacts, relics, books, manuscripts, papers, photographs, and other records and materials relating to the history of the State of New York and particularly the Town of Harpersfield and the surrounding area; To encourage the suitable marking of places of historic interest; To acquire by purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise; the title to or the custody and control of historic sites and structures, and preserve and maintain such sites and structures.