EVENTS OF 2014
KHS GOES DIGITAL
Member Kathy Ouimet in sunny California is in the process of putting our 40+ years of hand-written accession logs into a digital spreadsheet with a "search" function. Kathy has roots in Knox--her Sturgess grandparents were founding members of the Helderberg Grange in the early 1930s.
Members Jenn Geckler and Dennis Barber put the finishing touches on the display. Photos by John Elberfeld.
CIVIL WAR DISPLAY
The Town of Knox recently installed a wall display system in the Town Hall. The first exhibit is our Civil War collection to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. See the display on the main floor by the Tax Collector's office and by the elevator. More information here.
Lt. Michael Barckley recruited 21 local young men to serve in New York 7th Regiment Heavy Artillery. The exhibit includes photographs, lithographs, articles, and letters about their service. Learn more about Barckley here.More about Knox in the Civil War here.
SPRUCING UP
Thanks to our friends at the Town of Knox, the dead tree is gone and the Saddlemire Homestead is getting painted. Trustee Dan Driscoll reports that the painters scraped 250-300 pounds of old paint off the building. See our letter to the Altamont Enterprise here.
At our October meeting, Lou Saddlemire gave us the answers as he took us back in time to 19th century Knoxville.
SADDLEMIRE HOMESTEAD HISTORY
"What's the history of this house?" We're frequently asked that question when people are touring the Saddlemire Homestead. Learn about Lou Saddlemire's research here.
Yes, the Saddlemire Homestead originally had a hip roof with built-in rain gutters.
REORGANIZATION OF OUR TOOLS AND FARM EXHIBITS
Dennis Barber and his brother Cliff have developed a much-needed plan to reorganize our exhibits of tools and farm implements in the two back rooms of the Saddlemire museum. The project includes better use of the space, regrouping items by category, and new signage. 
FROM OUR COLLECTION: 
DISPLAY AT ALTAMONT LIBARAY
In 1869, W.W. Hall, doctor, pastor, and prolific writer, published The Guide-Board to Health, Peace and Competence. Many of his ideas were forward-thinking and are applicable today. In September we installed a display of engravings and quotations from the book at Altamont Free Library. Learn more about Dr. Hall, his ideas, and his unfortunate end here.
The Guide-Board by W.W. Hall. Unfortunately, Dr. Hall failed to take his own advice on healthy living.
Treasurer John Elberfeld adds a pillbox replica to the display. What would Dr. Hall have thought about the millions of pillboxes produced in Knox?
Historic Markers
In August, Trustee Dan Driscoll repainted two historic roadside markers in Knox. The first two photos show him at the former Knoxville Academy on Route 156 (Berne-Altamont Road). In the third photo, Dan carefully paints the letters on the Anti-Rent Riots marker on Route 157A (Warner Lake Road). 
Detail of Knox Bicentennial quilt showing a "calico Indian" sounding the alarm
"Righteous Rebellion: Echoes of the Anti-Rent War" On August 21, filmmaker Bruce Kennedy returned to the Octagon Barn to continue his dialogue about the Anti-Rent War. Knox Historical Society, Berne Historical Society, and Helderberg Hilltowns Association, co-sponsored this event. Read more here.
Bruce Kennedy films the rising mist for his documentary on the Anti-Rent War, "Righteous Rebellion."
The Quilts of Berne and Knox
Knox Historical Society joined forces with Berne Historical Society and Helderberg Quilt Barn Trail for two quilt shows on August 3. Hundreds of people came to see the quilts and learn about barn quilts. Dennis Barber and Margaret Torok hold the People's Choice awards for the three top favorite quilts. More here.
Gil Warrin and the Merrymen's Tea House sign, still intact after all these years.
On July 13, Gil Warrin presented an original wagon wheel sign for his aunt's restaurant, Merrymen's Tea House. Lou Saddlemire and Bob Stevens demonstrated the art of pillbox-making in our refurbished Pillbox Room. Then we walked down the road for the unveiling of our newest historic roadside marker, "Pillbox Factory."
President Nancy Frueh reveals the new historic marker at the site of the original pillbox factory. Dan Driscoll was instrumental in obtaining the marker.
Metal Detecting
Tony Torrisi and Rob Wolfe used their metal detectors to help us find treasures right under our feet on June 21. We searched the grounds with them and found several artifacts. Tony and Rob also loaned a display case with many of their Hilltown finds, including the bells and toys shown. 
President Nancy Frueh tells about our many events with historical re-enactors and historical musicians.
Dr. Mary Kinnaird explains the "Suitcases of History" project done in conjunction with Berne Historical Society, B-K-W Elementary School, and Helderberg Hilltowns Association.
Jan Miller takes sleighbells from her Suitcase of History, which contains household items for the students to handle.
Suitcases of History is a collaborative program to bring historical artifacts into the classrooms at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School. KHS worked with Dr. Mary Kinnaird, staff at B-K-W, Berne Historical Society, and Helderberg Hilltowns Association to make local history come alive for the students. More about Suitcases of History here.
John Elberfeld shows this fifth-grader a Civil War timeline as he helps students connect events of 150 years ago to their lives today.
Vice-president Jane McLean straightens the display of Civil War photos and drawings at Altamont Free Library in April.
Civil War re-enactors and Civil War-era barn quilts at the Voorheesville Public Library exhibit and program in March.
Quilts of the Civil War
In the spring, KHS commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with displays at Altamont Free Library and Voorheesville Public Library. In Voorheesville, we held a program in conjunction with re-enactors and Helderberg Quilt Barn Trail.
Barn Quilt Added to our Sign
John Elberfeld and Jane McLean created a double-sided barn quilt for KHS, and we joined the Helderberg Quilt Barn Trail. Do you see 
  • A tin horn from the Anti-Rent War?
  • A stairway down into Knox Cave?
  • A farmer's corn and beans?
  • An early settler's log cabin?
  • A pillbox inside a star?
  • A bear's paw?
Learn more about barn quilts and Helderberg Quilt Barn Trail here.