By Doug La Rocque
It’s been in the works for quite some time, really ever since Berlin Town Government moved from the building on Main Street to the new Municipal Center. [private]Its creation has been the passion of Town Historian Sharon Klein, and with the help of Jan Firszt, who helped install all the displays and the painting, as well as creating some of the woodwork, it all came to fruition on Memorial Day as the center opened its doors for the first time. One of her favorite displays is the Berlin Band drum, which has a date on it of 1920, but according to Klein, really dates back to 1887.
She says it was found on sale at an antiques store, and an anonymous donor from Petersburgh purchased it one day, brought it down and said “here, this is for you.” Klein says they are very fortunate to have it back.
Besides the drum, the center continues displays from past wars, most on loan from the Taconic Valley American Legion. Also on view are exhibits from the Cowee Manufacturing facility, the old Taconic Valley Bank, The Berlin Schools, and the 1976 quilt, squares of which were made and sewn together by various organizations of the community, many of which are no longer here. The quilt was auctioned off as a fund raiser, but bought by a group of Berlin businessmen who donated it back to the Historical Society.
Many of the display cabinets came from the former Sykes Store in Stephentown and the former Sedgwick Inn in Berlin. As was discussed and approved at a recent Berlin Town Board meeting, the town’s time capsule has been relocated to the front of the new Historical Society building. It is scheduled to be opened in 2056, the 250th anniversary of the founding of Berlin.
No hours for opening the Historical Center have been set yet. It will be open by appointment by calling Sharon Klein at 658-2723. [/private]