LEGISLATURE STUFF - Tip of the Cap to 250

CATSKILL - The country has a noteworthy anniversary coming in 2026, prompting the Greene County Legislature to create a 250th American Revolution Commission.

Lawmakers agreed to establish the Commission following a presentation by county historian Jonathan Palmer during a legislative County Resources committee meeting, last week.

It is fully expected a resolution toward that end will be officially accepted when the legislature holds its regular monthly meeting on March 19.

America was philosophically formed on July 4, 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence even as the Revolutionary War continued for an additional five years, culminating in the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

Palmer initially approached the legislature two years ago, wanting to get the ball rolling on what will be a multi-year celebration of freedom, coinciding with the span between 1776 and 1783.

Nothing is close to being etched in stone but Palmer, in a letter to local lawmakers, spelled out the reason for the Commission.

“National, State and private entities are now in the midst of organizing commissions charged with the diverse responsibilities to plan and promote events.” Palmer wrote.

Key to that effort will be identifying and allocating funding, “in order that the Nation’s 250th will be an event both worthy and beneficial to the public,” Palmer wrote

“This year, the State Legislature passed a bill organizing a New York State 250th Commission. Many of our neighboring counties have followed suit.”

Those counties, and now including Greene County, are “organizing their own commissions in order that an administrative framework would be in place through which planning could be accomplished and potential funding could be channelled,” Palmer wrote.

“While it remains unclear what the full scope of 250th celebrations could be, and though we are uncertain what kind of federal and State funding will be made available, it is nonetheless imperative that Greene County organize a commission,” Palmer wrote.

It is expected the Commission, at the outset, will call upon 13 individuals, in honor of the 13 original colonies, Palmer said.

Those members would tentatively include the county administrator or the legislature chairman, representing county government.

Other members would tentatively be representatives from the county Tourism office and Veterans Services, and the county historian.

They will be joined by a county Chamber of Commerce member, a primary school administrator and educator and representatives from the county-based Library Association and Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Commission would be completed with representatives from the county Historical Society, the Mountaintop Historical Society, the Zadock Pratt Museum and Thomas Cole National Historic Site.

As time passes and the grassroots group’s role is clarified, it is hoped an enthusiasm grows, spreading to every community and home.

“We can get this started but let’s not do this only as a legislature or only these certain organizations,” says legislature chairman Patrick Linger.

“Let’s get the whole county involved, the schools, the towns and villages, their local history groups. Local people know their history best and then hopefully we can tie all these ideas together,” Linger said.

The legislative resolution states the Commission has been assembled because, “milestone anniversaries commemorating significant historical events give our citizens the opportunity to reflect on our past and gain a better understanding of the way these people, events and ideas shaped our county, state and nation.

“The 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution will be observed from

2025 through 2033, and throughout that period the geographical area that would become Greene County played a significant role in several events, meetings, raids, and supply and logistical efforts.

“In the year 1775, two hundred and twenty-five residents of the Coxsackie

and Great Embought Districts of Albany County became signatories to an article of association declaring their allegiance to the revolutionary Continental Congress and Provincial Convention of New York.

“These two hundred and twenty-five signatories did further align themselves by providing both civil and military service in defense of and in service to the Revolutionary cause,” the resolution states.

“Following the successful conclusion of the Revolution, the geographical area that would become Greene County experienced an influx of new settlement by families who had likewise provided service to the Revolutionary cause in the various states of New England.

“In testament to the enduring commitment of the people of this place to the

ideals of the Revolution, a new County was formed on March 25, 1800, through a partition of Albany and Ulster Counties and named in honor of revolutionary hero General Nathanael Greene.

“In recognition of this rich heritage, it is appropriate for Greene County to

commemorate this anniversary by facilitating events and activities that engage its citizens and provide an opportunity to learn about our common heritage, develop pride of place and celebrate our shared history.”