North East Historical Society keeps goals in sight

NORTH EAST — The North East Historical Society has worked to increase not only its membership but the number and quality of its events.

Its first meeting of the year, Feb. 12 at the NorthEast-Millerton Library, welcomed railroad aficionado Dick Paddock, who discussed the four railroad lines that intersected Dutchess County in Millerton, en route to Connecticut.

The first issue 2008 of the society’s newsletter is out, along with a new logo of the Maltby ore furnace. The furnace was one of the first iron smelters in the area, established in 1770, according to the newsletter. It made cannon balls for the American Revolution and the Civil War. It also made wheels for railroad cars, before it went into a stage of neglect and was latter demolished.

The group published a 2008 calendar featuring historic scenes from the village and town, which sold as a fundraiser for the historical society. Those calendars are available at Terni’s, Kamilla’s and Herrington’s.

"It’s so popular that we ordered a second printing," the newsletter stated.

The group’s annual membership drive is underway, giving the community an opportunity to help support the town and village in their goals of preserving local history.

In the same vein, an inventory of the society’s archives is in progress. It’s expected that the task will take several years. The goal is to provide an archiving system that will keep the historical society’s articles safely stored and "accessible to all."

Two volunteer archivists, Mary Howard and Louise Black, have recently started working for the historical society. The retired women are new residents in the village and well versed in archiving methods, according to Ralph Fedele, society president.

Meanwhile, the group is in the midst of planning a social event for this summer. More will be announced as plans develop.

There have been other high points for the historical society, like the recording of tales told by Dot McGhee, a 95-year-old Millerton resident who recently shared many of her experiences with Fedele and member Janet Bertomen. McGhee will make a presentation to the whole historical society April 1 at 7 p.m. at the library. It is open to the public.

McGhee acts as a "bridge through the ages who makes our history come alive," Fedele said, adding there will be a question and answer period after the presentation. "I think it will be wonderful for her. She’s gone through the trouble of writing pages of notes and I think there will be more meetings than just one with her.

"We want to try to get young and old people to come to these meetings to enjoy our history and she’s certainly a part of it," he added.

The society is also working in conjunction with Library Board Chairwoman Diane Price to start a series of times to remember interviews. The sessions will focus on certain individuals and groups from the community, like farmers, who will talk about their past experiences in the town.

"It will enrich our history and become part of our archives," Fedele said.

The group wants to start a Web site, so members and visitors will have access to digitized documents on the history of the town and village.

In the meantime, the society is already working on its next several meetings, one of which will be held at the Baptist church.

"I’ve worked with Rev. Praust when doing research on corner boxes, etc., and he said he found a time box put in the foundation of the church in the 1870’s," Fedele said. "It has all of its contents and he’s agreed to host a meeting in the church."

That meeting will likely be held sometime in June.

In September, the society will meet at Indian Rock Schoolhouse in Amenia, along with the Amenia Historical Society. The two groups are planning an ice cream social at the historical locale.

The historical society remains active in its quest to increase its membership. The not-for-profit group seeks residents interested in preserving local historical and cultural artifacts and information. An individual membership costs $20; a family membership costs $35. For more information, contact Fedele at 518-789-4619.

The group is also looking for volunteers to get involved with the production of the newsletter — which is in need of a name — and to suggest future projects.

The society is in need of a donated computer, scanner and archival software to bring its archives up to "museum standards."

The North East Historical Society meets on the first Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. at the NorthEast-Millerton Library, on East Main Street.