The April 7, 2026 meeting of the Knox Historical Society was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Dennis Barber. Members present included Gary Crewell, Donna Gwin, Charlene Scoons, and Anna Wolfe. We welcomed new member Aidan Alai.
The minutes of the October meeting had been emailed. Minutes were accepted as emailed.
Treasurers Report: Donations since October included $2,050 award from William Pomeroy Foundation for the Knox Caves historic marker. We also received $113 in donations from the Henry Knox program in October, and $20 from sales of books (Helderberg Hilltowns book and Berne, Our German Heritage). Expenses included $2,050 to Sewah Studios for the production of the Knox Cave historic marker. We also paid $60 to the Helderberg Family and Community Organization for the tree in the Community Festival of Trees in December. Our total assets are $5,491.99. Dues, $10 individual and $20 family, are due in May.
Correspondence included the New Scotland Historical Society newsletter. Anna mentioned the historic marker in Thacher Park Tory Cave 1777. Jacob Salsbury was the Tory who lived in the cave. His descendants now live in Knox, Salisbury and Van Dyck families.
Henry Whipple has faithfully repainted many of our historic markers in our town over the past several years. He is no longer able to repaint the markers. Markers needing repainting include the Knoxville Academy marker, Albany County marker on Schoharie County line, and the Anti-Rent marker on Warners Lake Road. KHS will mail a Get-Well card to Henry.
Old Business: Dennis will email Eric Marczak to check on his progress replicating pillboxes.
KHS in conjunction with the Berne Historical Society would like to have a Cemetery Walk in the fall. Re-enactors would give a brief summary of the life of individuals buried in the cemetery. Lou Saddlemire is in charge of the Knox Cemetery and said such programs are not allowed by law. Dennis will speak to Lou again about such a program. Perhaps it would be possible to have the program at High Point cemetery if that governing body allowed it.
Dennis will contact Josh Gebe at the Knox Highway Dept about installing the Knox Cave historic marker on the lawn of the Homestead.
We want to have a program recognizing the installation of the Knox Cave marker and hope to combine that celebration with a 50th Anniversary celebration of the Knox Historical Society. Ten of the original founding members will be invited to the celebration: Mike Hammond, Faye Hammond, Bob Stevens, Maureen Driscoll, Al Schager, Dick Dexter, Dave Shafer, Lou Saddlemire, Peter and Pat Berry. Dennis will see if any of the original members would like to speak. Possible dates for both the marker and 50th anniversary celebration are June 6 or June 7. Donna will contact the Northeast Cave Conservancy to see if any of their members could come on those dates for the unveiling of the marker. Perhaps NCC could lead a tour of Knox Cave at that time to interested individuals.
Dennis will contact Jeff Perlee and Jack McEneny to see if either of them would like to present a program on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Donna made a template for a Lifetime Membership certificate. We will award this certificate to Margaret Torok and Helen Frink Stine. Gary has some graphics that could be added to the Lifetime Membership certificate.
Repairs to the Saddlemire Homestead have been completed, but the ceiling of the porch still needs to be painted. New furniture is needed for the front porch. Dennis will check with Mike Hammond to see if he could build 4 benches.
New Business: Election of officers will be held in May. New member Aidan Alai is considering becoming the secretary of KHS.
Since we no longer have a March meeting our By-Laws need to be updated. Also, we need to add provision about Lifetime Memberships to the By-Laws.
Bob Stevens will be donating 2 oil cans from his family business.
Dennis will contact a local locksmith for new locks for the Homestead.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Gwin
The minutes of the October meeting had been emailed. Minutes were accepted as emailed.
Treasurers Report: Donations since October included $2,050 award from William Pomeroy Foundation for the Knox Caves historic marker. We also received $113 in donations from the Henry Knox program in October, and $20 from sales of books (Helderberg Hilltowns book and Berne, Our German Heritage). Expenses included $2,050 to Sewah Studios for the production of the Knox Cave historic marker. We also paid $60 to the Helderberg Family and Community Organization for the tree in the Community Festival of Trees in December. Our total assets are $5,491.99. Dues, $10 individual and $20 family, are due in May.
Correspondence included the New Scotland Historical Society newsletter. Anna mentioned the historic marker in Thacher Park Tory Cave 1777. Jacob Salsbury was the Tory who lived in the cave. His descendants now live in Knox, Salisbury and Van Dyck families.
Henry Whipple has faithfully repainted many of our historic markers in our town over the past several years. He is no longer able to repaint the markers. Markers needing repainting include the Knoxville Academy marker, Albany County marker on Schoharie County line, and the Anti-Rent marker on Warners Lake Road. KHS will mail a Get-Well card to Henry.
Old Business: Dennis will email Eric Marczak to check on his progress replicating pillboxes.
KHS in conjunction with the Berne Historical Society would like to have a Cemetery Walk in the fall. Re-enactors would give a brief summary of the life of individuals buried in the cemetery. Lou Saddlemire is in charge of the Knox Cemetery and said such programs are not allowed by law. Dennis will speak to Lou again about such a program. Perhaps it would be possible to have the program at High Point cemetery if that governing body allowed it.
Dennis will contact Josh Gebe at the Knox Highway Dept about installing the Knox Cave historic marker on the lawn of the Homestead.
We want to have a program recognizing the installation of the Knox Cave marker and hope to combine that celebration with a 50th Anniversary celebration of the Knox Historical Society. Ten of the original founding members will be invited to the celebration: Mike Hammond, Faye Hammond, Bob Stevens, Maureen Driscoll, Al Schager, Dick Dexter, Dave Shafer, Lou Saddlemire, Peter and Pat Berry. Dennis will see if any of the original members would like to speak. Possible dates for both the marker and 50th anniversary celebration are June 6 or June 7. Donna will contact the Northeast Cave Conservancy to see if any of their members could come on those dates for the unveiling of the marker. Perhaps NCC could lead a tour of Knox Cave at that time to interested individuals.
Dennis will contact Jeff Perlee and Jack McEneny to see if either of them would like to present a program on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Donna made a template for a Lifetime Membership certificate. We will award this certificate to Margaret Torok and Helen Frink Stine. Gary has some graphics that could be added to the Lifetime Membership certificate.
Repairs to the Saddlemire Homestead have been completed, but the ceiling of the porch still needs to be painted. New furniture is needed for the front porch. Dennis will check with Mike Hammond to see if he could build 4 benches.
New Business: Election of officers will be held in May. New member Aidan Alai is considering becoming the secretary of KHS.
Since we no longer have a March meeting our By-Laws need to be updated. Also, we need to add provision about Lifetime Memberships to the By-Laws.
Bob Stevens will be donating 2 oil cans from his family business.
Dennis will contact a local locksmith for new locks for the Homestead.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Gwin