By Matthew Avitabile
SHARON SPRINGS — Sharon Springs Historical Society President Ron Ketelsen said that the society has made significant progress in recent years and still needs public support to expand on its successful historic village project.
Much of what the society is working on has to do with the background of Ketelsen coming to Sharon Springs in 2014.
What brought him to Sharon Springs from being a human resource executive in Silicon Valley was to come to a “quieter environment” without the traffic and rush. He sought a property locally, looking at locations in New York and Vermont. While in Sharon Springs he found the Roseboro Hotel, which he described as a potential “good investment” and worthwhile project. He described purchasing the hotel as a “brief moment of insanity.”
Shortly after moving to the area, he became president of the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce and continued in the role for seven years. He planned or managed the Sharon Springs Garden Parties, Harvest Festivals, Parade of Lights, July 4th parades, and more. While he enjoyed the projects, he was also involved with Schoharie County tourism. As tourism director, he spent time working with the Schoharie County Chamber and its tourism committee. In time, Ketelsen became the head of the county chamber for four years, prior to stepping down earlier this year.
He became involved with local history, including the “uniqueness of the people who came to Sharon Springs.” This included the Vanderbilt family, US presidents and even movie producer Steven Spielberg. Around 2021, Ketelsen became the group’s president, growing it from a small group organization and museum into one that includes its recent expansion; in large part thanks to the help of volunteers and the late community philanthropist Nick Juried. The original museum property was too small to fit everything. With Ketelsen’s vision and leadership, the group was able to purchase and refurbish the nearby former bungalow cabins, and turn them into a historic village.
Ketelsen had sent a proposal and pictures to Juried. Juried responded by sending money to purchase the 236 Main Street property. Ketelsen said that he saw the vision of the cabins becoming a “little village.” He added that there was a chance to make each into a different vignette and “start the renovation.”
“Nick was so generous,” said Ketelsen. This included the renovation and the cabins into shops that are present on the property. Next door to the cabins was a formerly “run-down boarding house” that the Historical Society thought would make a great new museum. Ketelsen contacted Juried about this idea. Expanding the former museum property would have been difficult and purchasing the boarding house, the Ganz House, made more sense to him.
“That became a huge undertaking,” he said. “And Nick was there for us.”
Ketelsen credited Juried for assistance in bringing in an architect and additional financial assistance. Mr. Juried passed away earlier this year at the age of 95. With his passing, there is a funding gap necessary to complete the Ganz House renovation into the new museum, which Ketelsen estimates will take an additional $550,000. This would cover a three-story handicapped-accessible elevator, new facade for the building, renovating all three floors, new HVAC system, new water and sewer, and more. Ketelsen said donations are definitely needed to help complete the new museum.
“It’s an expensive undertaking,” he said. The scope of the project will be comprehensive, he
said. Ketelsen said the new museum will give them enough space to display their new, extensive collection of Sharon Springs memorabilia and artifacts, an acquisition made possible by Juried as well.
One of the interesting things about the historic village and the support from Juried has allowed for people to visit. This includes the gardens and the Gazebo off of Route 10. When people arrive, they come through the little historic village and are “really impressed by what they see.”
“It has brought in volunteers and some donations,” he said. One recent visitor from Fort Plain was very impressed by the barber shop vignette, stating that his grandfather was a barber. He donated the cash register that his grandfather had used.
“That’s how we found so much of what we had,” he said. Family members of former residents and visitors have donated to help the village grow. In order to expand further, Ketelsen said that “we need to have plexiglass walk-in areas in each of the shops so we can open the doors and people can walk in and view what is inside each vignette.”
“We’re focusing at this point on finishing up the little village.” It will take time to complete the new museum. We discovered lead pipes leading into the museum. That all needs to be replaced. The new water and sewer lines will cost money, and must happen “before we can do anything else.”
The Sharon Historical Society hosts two monthly historical programs via Zoom, covering topics of both local and national significance. These programs, many written and presented by Ketelsen, have attracted strong attendance, including participants from international locations.
Ketelsen is also working on a new book for the historical society titled, “I Remember
Sharon Springs,” featuring stories and memories of people who grew up in Sharon Springs, people who have moved away, and visitors who used to spend their summers at the spa village. The society is also working on bringing several books back into print. The files had been corrupted and are in the process of being recreated. The group is also working on a new 2026 calendar that will be on sale starting next month. It The Sharon Historical Society also sends out six newsletters each year and “bringing awareness to the history of Sharon Springs.”
“We are continually working on new projects at the Sharon Historical Society.”
“Giving back to the community is important to me, and I've found my way to contribute through the museum and historical society. By preserving our history, we create a legacy for future generations, ensuring they have access to the stories, experiences, and knowledge of those who came before them. Much of this history would naturally fade away if not actively preserved, and I'm proud to help bring it to light, giving those who come after us the opportunity to understand and learn from the past.”
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Sharon Historical Society can contact the Society at sharonhistoricalsocietyny@gmail.com or visit their website at www.sharonhistoricalsocietyny.org.
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