by David Flint
“It’s the people’s community place to interact with history – a perfect location for people to come in and find out what makes New Lebanon such a special place,” said Steve Oberon, President of the Lebanon Valley Historical Society. The occasion was the grand opening of the Lebanon Valley Heritage Center on Saturday at the Valley Plaza Mall. [private]The Center will also be a visitors bureau where travelers can get maps, find out where to get a room and/or a good meal and see what’s going on in the area. “This is exactly the type of activity we are looking to accomplish in New Lebanon,” said Town Supervisor Mike Benson, acknowledging that it wasn’t the work of Town government but of civic organizations and volunteers. Benson was amazed that the Center was made ready for opening in such a short time. He said, “I’m overwhelmed by what has taken place here in 25 days.” The Heritage Center is the joint venture of the Lebanon Valley Historical Society and the New Lebanon Economic Development Committee, the latter a non-governmental committee, its Chairman, Max Gitter, pointed out.
A large crowd turned out for the opening and to browse among the displays and sample a wonderful selection of
historical treats baked from recipes of 150 years ago. Steve Oberon spoke about some of the reasons New Lebanon has for preserving and making known its heritage. The crusading reform governor, Samuel Tilden, “whom the people of the United States elected President in 1876,” was born here and is buried here. The Shakers had their most important settlement here. The Mohicans shared the healing waters of Lebanon Springs with Europeans here and the Springs became the most important resort in the country over the first half of the 19th century. The first free public lending library was started here. The American pharmaceutical industry was born here. “And all within walking distance of this building,” Oberon said. New Lebanon has had many distinguished visitors in the past, he pointed out, including two such disparate figures as Charles Dickens and the Marquis de Lafayette.
The Center is a work in progress. The displays will be added to as they go along. Oberon noted that the Historical Society is currently in the process of digitizing their collection of documents and photos so as to make them available to the public on the internet. Another current project is the Oral History Program, the recording of stories from people who have first hand experience of the Town’s heritage.
Some of the things opening day visitors found interesting included the customer window from the old Lebanon Springs Post Office and displays regarding the Tilden Pharmaceutical Company, the Mount Lebanon Shaker settlement and the great Shaker Swamp, the Showboat Dance Hall and the Ruby Inn. Max Gitter gave special credit to Susan Brauser and Ken Mooney, owners of the Valley Plaza who took an interest in the concept of a Heritage Center and agreed to provide the space rent free. He also expressed gratitude to a long list of businesses, organizations, donors and volunteers. They included Country Squire Supply, Bucky’s Bagels, the Blueberry Hill Café, the Callahan Sign Company, Ward Hatch Mechanical, Meissner’s Auction Service, the volunteers of the Historical Society and the Economic Development Committee and the many donors of time, services and materials. Special mention was made of public spirited retired teacher Pat Cochran and “extraordinary activist” retired teacher and emergency responder Sharon Moon. Gitter said the hours when the Center will be open have not been set definitely yet but will include for now a couple of hours on Friday afternoon and three or four hours on Saturday.[/private]