February is inching to a close, and Lebanon Valley shows no evidence of global warming, but we know Spring will arrive before long with a new season of LVHS programs. The schedule March and April is below; all events begin at 7 pm.
• March 18 – Howard Commander will talk on the history of the Lebanon Valley Speedway. The tentative location for this program is the Speedway Clubhouse. Watch for the program notification confirming the place.
• April 20 – Tod Houghtlin and Robert Allard will present views of the presidential campaign of Samuel J. Tilden. Tod will relate the tale of Tilden’s run for the office. Rob’s standpoint is, “What if Tilden had won?” This program will take place in the Episcopal Church Hall in Lebanon Springs.
May 18, Tom Bleezarde will tell us about the early days of The Echo, the small weekly newspaper that served the Valley for 56 years. Tom’s perspective is unique: he is the son of co-founder and long-time editor Warren Bleezarde, and an author and journalist himself. So his story will be both personal and professional. Peggy Hawkins, a schoolmate of Tom’s, will host this program in her meeting space.
June 15, as part of our annual potluck picnic, Ted Timreck will run his documentary on the Shaker Swamp, with updates on the progress of the “Swamp Project.” This is a repeat of the (very popular) event last June, right down to the location: Shaker Meadows B&B.
July 20, Kevin Fuerst, the New Lebanon Town Historian, will help us view Valley history through the eyes of the native people who watched the European settlers arrive. “First Americans” freely gave settlers the knowledge and resources that helped the Europeans and their descendants prosper. The location is yet to be determined.
In October or September, we hope to host Ann-Eliza Lewis, the new Executive Director of the Columbia County Historical Society. Dr. Lewis will give us an overview of CCHS ongoing and new initiatives and plans for the future.
The collections committee continues to work on digitization and other projects. Jeannine Tonetti submitted a grant application in early February to the NYS Archives Documentary Heritage Program for funds to help us uncover some of the history of Tilden and Company. We plan to submit a request to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation for money to procure equipment for the project. The Columbia County Historical Society provided $300 to procure shelves to store our growing collection of issues of The Echo.
Please participate in the programs offered this year: remember that all are free of charge. Anyone who needs to renew membership may reply to this letter and a membership form will be sent out promptly.