Preparing to Commemorate 250 Years Since the Revolution

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — We’ve just had our first accumulating snow of fall.  Winter is officially three weeks away, and there is the constant smell of woodsmoke in the air.

250 years ago everyone burned wood, and soon these valleys would be ablaze from the destruction that would accompany the raiding parties supporting the Crown’s effort to subdue the rebellion.

Although shots will not be fired until April 19, 1775, the seeds of the Revolution have already been sown and taken root in the Schohary area.

In January 1774, the citizens of Schenectady, also then part of Albany County, raised the first Liberty flag documented in the British colonies.

In August 1774, a Committee of Safety met for the first time in neighboring Tryon County.  Much of the current towns of Cobleskill, Seward, Sharon and Carlisle were then part of Tryon County.

In October 1774, the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the Articles of Association.  This act essentially prohibited subscribers from trade with Great Britain, the importation and sale of British goods, and established local committees of safety,

Boston was occupied by British troops and under martial law.

British North America was a tinderbox that would soon erupt in flames.

In March of this year, the Revolutionary Schohary 250th Committee organized as a grassroots effort to raise awareness and excitement for commemorating the events,  people, and politics of the Revolutionary War in what is now Schoharie County.

We will be promoting an inclusive approach that respects differing viewpoints and honors the impact that the War had on all participants.  There are often more than two sides to any story.

As we begin the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolution, we ask for your help and support!  We are truly a grassroots effort with no governmental support or affiliations.

Our website is:  www.schohary250.org,   

Our Facebook page is: Revolutionary Schohary 250th, Schoharie County NY

Our email address is: revolutionaryschohary250@gmail,com

Please visit our sites, and consider supporting our efforts!

John Osinski

Middleburgh