New Dues, Historic Readings, and Exhibits Headline Hobart Historical Society Meeting

HOBART—The Hobart Historical Society plans to expand and reactivate its membership during an upcoming drive led by Kathy Duyer. The organization needs consistent cash flow because building repairs for a furnace, chimney leak, and wheelchair ramp depleted its funds. To resolve this, Duyer proposed raising single dues to $30, family dues to $40, and ending new lifetime memberships. The society will launch a direct mail campaign in June to invite renewals and use local flyers and newspapers to attract new residents.   

The Society will also sponsor a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026, at 6 PM. The twenty-minute event requires four volunteer readers. Depending on the weather, the reading will occur on the village green or inside the Community Center. The date honors the moment news of the declaration reached local towns in 1776, though organizers noted that Hobart itself was Mohawk territory at that time.   

Finally, preparations continue for the upcoming Anna Carroll Exhibition at the MURAL on Main Art Gallery in Hobart. Don Thomas will capture oral histories from Hobart elders for the Society, starting with Betty Bergleitner, and will lead an “Anna Carroll” walking tour during the month of August to complement the exhibit. Historical Society President Rick van Valkenburg and Vice President Judy Stewart Vidal HHS will seek approval from the Village Board for an Anna Carroll exhibition honoring community photographer and activist Anna Carroll for her contributions to the town and village. The society successfully secured a $1,000 grant from the Hobart Community Foundation and $2,500 from the O'Connor Foundation for the project, and members are currently waiting to hear from the Thompson Fund  and Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation regarding additional financial support.