1982
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TOWN OF WAPPINGER
TOWN HISTORIAN
CONSTANCE O. SMITH
ROUTE 376. RD 3
WAPPINGERS FALLS. N. Y. 12590
TEL. 462.1551
TOW N
HIS TOR I A N
Annual Report - 1982
This has been another most enjoyable and challenging year of activities
for your Town Historian.
During this year I attended a History Resource Day Conference at Marist
College, an F. D. Roosevelt Conference at Vassar College, the F. D. R.
Centennial program at the Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, a Historical
Records Management Conference at the Bear Mountain Inn and various other
historical meetings.
During 1982, County Executive Pattison appointed me to the Dutchess
County Tercentenary Advisory Committee. I am acting as Secretary to this
Committee and was also appointed County Tercentenary Parade & Fireworks
Display chairperson by County Historian Joyce Ghee. Supervisor Diehl
appointed me as the Town of Wappinger representative to the Tercentenary
activities.
I spoke to several groups during the year and showed slides of Wappinger.
Some of the groups included the Beekman and Beacon Historical Societies,
the Fishki11 Plains and Myers Corners Schools 4th graders and also the
High School History Club.
On behalf of the Dutchess County Tercentenary, I spoke at fifteen Granges
and also with County Historian Joyce Ghee I spoke to the Supervisors'
Association of Dutchess County. We also held an open public meeting at
the County Infirmary in Mi11brook, informing the public of the many
Tercentenary activities.
I also had the fortunate experience to work with several Community Col-
lege students in researching the W.P.A. papers and reports
Several persons requested aid in researching their family roots. I was
unable to help some of these people, but I did send them a list I have
compiled with a list of source people that do this kind of research.
However, I was successful in aiding (1) Douglas Haverly of Albany, (2)
Lawrence Wood of Ford Edward, New York and (3) H. Vorge of Haddenfield,
New Jersey.
Presently I am researching the cigar industry for Mr. Thomas Somerville
of Orchard Park, New York. I am also researching the Curtis House on
River Road for Mrs. Simonson of the D. E. C. The State is planning to
run the KV 345 through the property and place a tower in front of this
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house, which would absolutely ruin the scenery and view of this 200 year
old house. We hope to have the State change their plans and place the
tower to the rear of the house.
My activities with young people consisted ot taking several groups of
Girl Scouts on walking tours, informing Boy Scouts on the what, why,
when and how to be a Historian, worked with the Brownies in cleaning up
the cemetery and helped the Junior Grangers in cleaning up the Bell Site
and planting flowers to help beautify it.
I assisted Prof. Richard Wikes of Bard College in setting up a week-long
exhibit on "Industrial Tranformation - 19th Century Industry in the Mid-
Hudson Valley. I provided him with maps, pictures and write-ups on
the Bleachery.
Oh Yes! Myself and my great committee coordinated the Town's Annual
Community Day & Parade, Gong Show and Fireworks Display. A great time
was had by all who attended.
I have talked and met with Mr. Sal Rega and have taken pictures of the
statue that Mr. Rega is donating to the Town.
I am not sure that I have covered all of my activities, but I am sure you
can see that this has been a busy, but fun, year. I would like to thank
the Board for all of their cooperation whenever it was needed and for
granting me the opportunity to serve as the Town Historian.
Respectfully submitrfd,
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Constance o. Smith,
Town Historian
cc: Edmund Winslow, Senior State Historian
Joyce Ghee, Dutchess County Historian