July meeting
7/7/26
---Museum will be open on 7/12 & 8/16 2-4PM---
Attendees: Dennis Barber, Donna Gwin, Gary Crewell, Charlene Scoons, Aidan Alai
Motion to approve Minutes: Passed
Treasurers Report:
Income Total $311.00 - $200 was from car show fees/$8 from donations that day
Expenses: $300.00 -Underground Railroad museum
Total Amount: $5,837.02
Coorespondence - none
Committee Reports - none
Successful carshow making $200 and had good attendance with prize give aways
New Business:
50th Aniversary is approaching (7/25). Invites have been sent to members, local legislators, local historical societies. Friends and family. Stewart’s Ice Cream Sundaes will be served. Dennis is preparing a speech. Pictures from the past are going to be found to show during the event. Donna has a powerpoint with pictures of the houses on the quilt. Certificates will be given to life-time members. Donna will make the certificates. Dennis will get some decorations.
Dishware was donated by Zenni Gladieux. A set will be put on display in the museum’s kitchen area.
A sign for the Maple Festival will be put on display outside the museum to advertise the Festival, Brunch, and Farm Tours on March 31th 9AM to 1PM.
Motion to accept the sign: Passed
June 2nd meeting minutes
Attendees: Dennis Barber, Donna Gwin, Anna Wolfe, Gary Crewell, Charlene Scoons, Aidan Alai, Gary Kleppel , Eric Marczak, Pat Whipple and Henry Whipple
Motion to approve Minutes: Passed
Treasurer Report-
Income Dues: $308.20
CD Interest: $13.20
Total May Income: $308.20
Total Balance: $5813.12
Museum Hours: Summer hours to be open on 7/12 and 8/16 (call Dennis for adhoc tours)
Bills and Claims:
Donna applied for Stewarts Grant and was received twice and only used once. Anna will check on the status of the second grant. Mary Liz Stewart will speak 6/15 to 4th graders. The cost will be $250 and could be potentially funded by the Stewarts grant.
Gary Request:
Shared story of his house (the old Tanner house), previously owned by the Spencer family on Township rd. Found records from 1842 about the history of the home and its occupants. Includes a record of a fire on the property. David and Mary Spencer the owner was an investor and farmer. David Spencer is buried in High Point Cemetery. The property was later inherited by his son Charles. Pictures of the home from 1842 and1858 were included in the records. Gary has been in contact with two descendants of David and Mary.
He requested to erect a plaque for the home. Discussion on the requirements including what should be included on the plaque. Primary records to provide evidence about the content of the plaque. Must determine the next window to submit an application to the William D. Pomeroy Foundation. Donna will assist Gary in navigating the next steps.
Eric Report on Pill Box making and more:
He refurbished the tools with the help of Noah Khoury, Blacksmith. The top and bottom punches were straightened, re-handled and sharpened. He has collected the material for making pill boxes. He shared his journey rediscovering the craft. Other tools are in the museum that can be looked through.
He also spoke with an anthropologist about the cultures that were present with lots of information about the lifestyles of those cultures. He offered to donate a Ryker mount of artifacts from those cultures.
Pat Report:
Has an old saddle from the early 1900s. She would like to donate the saddle to the museum. She also brought in an old salesman display of a cast iron (manf Crescent).
Motion to accept saddle: Passed
Motion to accept stove: Passed
Move to deasccessioned a Horse drawn ice cutter (infront of museum) back to Cohoes: Passed
6/6 4pm Knox Cave Marker ceremony. The post will need to be placed in cement. Further coordination required. Donna will bring refreshments.
6/20 is Pucker St. Fair. It will be $20 to submit a car. A prize will be given. Dennis will have merchandise to sell. Eric will have a booth. Check to see if the corn cobber is available to take out for the car show, Gary will coordinate.
7/25 50th KHS Anniversary. Use the thank you cards to make invitations. Dennis will prepare a speech. Charleene will coordinate getting Stewarts ice cream for the event.
Cemetery walk assignments:
Kathy will MC and see if there are other recommended names
Gary Klepell - David Spencer
Jeff Perlee - Dennison
Dennis Barber - James Dyer
David Whipple - Malachi Whipple
Gary - Doctor Williams?
Correspondence:
Anna shared a number of historic photographs from the area.
7/7/26
---Museum will be open on 7/12 & 8/16 2-4PM---
Attendees: Dennis Barber, Donna Gwin, Gary Crewell, Charlene Scoons, Aidan Alai
Motion to approve Minutes: Passed
Treasurers Report:
Income Total $311.00 - $200 was from car show fees/$8 from donations that day
Expenses: $300.00 -Underground Railroad museum
Total Amount: $5,837.02
Coorespondence - none
Committee Reports - none
Successful carshow making $200 and had good attendance with prize give aways
New Business:
50th Aniversary is approaching (7/25). Invites have been sent to members, local legislators, local historical societies. Friends and family. Stewart’s Ice Cream Sundaes will be served. Dennis is preparing a speech. Pictures from the past are going to be found to show during the event. Donna has a powerpoint with pictures of the houses on the quilt. Certificates will be given to life-time members. Donna will make the certificates. Dennis will get some decorations.
Dishware was donated by Zenni Gladieux. A set will be put on display in the museum’s kitchen area.
A sign for the Maple Festival will be put on display outside the museum to advertise the Festival, Brunch, and Farm Tours on March 31th 9AM to 1PM.
Motion to accept the sign: Passed
June 2nd meeting minutes
Attendees: Dennis Barber, Donna Gwin, Anna Wolfe, Gary Crewell, Charlene Scoons, Aidan Alai, Gary Kleppel , Eric Marczak, Pat Whipple and Henry Whipple
Motion to approve Minutes: Passed
Treasurer Report-
Income Dues: $308.20
CD Interest: $13.20
Total May Income: $308.20
Total Balance: $5813.12
Museum Hours: Summer hours to be open on 7/12 and 8/16 (call Dennis for adhoc tours)
Bills and Claims:
Donna applied for Stewarts Grant and was received twice and only used once. Anna will check on the status of the second grant. Mary Liz Stewart will speak 6/15 to 4th graders. The cost will be $250 and could be potentially funded by the Stewarts grant.
Gary Request:
Shared story of his house (the old Tanner house), previously owned by the Spencer family on Township rd. Found records from 1842 about the history of the home and its occupants. Includes a record of a fire on the property. David and Mary Spencer the owner was an investor and farmer. David Spencer is buried in High Point Cemetery. The property was later inherited by his son Charles. Pictures of the home from 1842 and1858 were included in the records. Gary has been in contact with two descendants of David and Mary.
He requested to erect a plaque for the home. Discussion on the requirements including what should be included on the plaque. Primary records to provide evidence about the content of the plaque. Must determine the next window to submit an application to the William D. Pomeroy Foundation. Donna will assist Gary in navigating the next steps.
Eric Report on Pill Box making and more:
He refurbished the tools with the help of Noah Khoury, Blacksmith. The top and bottom punches were straightened, re-handled and sharpened. He has collected the material for making pill boxes. He shared his journey rediscovering the craft. Other tools are in the museum that can be looked through.
He also spoke with an anthropologist about the cultures that were present with lots of information about the lifestyles of those cultures. He offered to donate a Ryker mount of artifacts from those cultures.
Pat Report:
Has an old saddle from the early 1900s. She would like to donate the saddle to the museum. She also brought in an old salesman display of a cast iron (manf Crescent).
Motion to accept saddle: Passed
Motion to accept stove: Passed
Move to deasccessioned a Horse drawn ice cutter (infront of museum) back to Cohoes: Passed
6/6 4pm Knox Cave Marker ceremony. The post will need to be placed in cement. Further coordination required. Donna will bring refreshments.
6/20 is Pucker St. Fair. It will be $20 to submit a car. A prize will be given. Dennis will have merchandise to sell. Eric will have a booth. Check to see if the corn cobber is available to take out for the car show, Gary will coordinate.
7/25 50th KHS Anniversary. Use the thank you cards to make invitations. Dennis will prepare a speech. Charleene will coordinate getting Stewarts ice cream for the event.
Cemetery walk assignments:
Kathy will MC and see if there are other recommended names
Gary Klepell - David Spencer
Jeff Perlee - Dennison
Dennis Barber - James Dyer
David Whipple - Malachi Whipple
Gary - Doctor Williams?
Correspondence:
Anna shared a number of historic photographs from the area.
May 5, 2026 Minutes
Hello All,
My name is Aidan Alai, the new KHS secretary. I look forward to getting to know more members of KHS.
Without further adieu here are May's Meeting Minutes
The May 12, 226 meeting of the Knox Historical Society was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Dennis Barber. Members present included Donna Gwin, Anna Wolfe, Gary Crewell, Charlene Scoons, Aidan Alai.
Motion to approve last months minutes - passed
Motion to approve officers - passed
President Dennis Barber
Vice-President Gary Crewell
Treasurer Anna Wolfe
Secretary Aidan Alai
Treasurers Report:
$12.83 in CD interest
CD = 4544.86
Checking = $959.78
Overall Balance = 5,405.86
-30.77 from last year
+ 12.83 gained since April
Correspondence:
Electricity Bill to be looked into bill from National Grid
$100 donation Committee Report .
Memorial Day Decoration to be pulled from Patriot Room with Remove Benches Thur 5/21 to clear up 9am Clean-up Day Wed 5/20 9am for windows etc
Cemetery Walk - Spoke with Henry and Pat for permission to use High Point Cementary. High Point Cementary will be available for a Fall walk (Date TBD)Knox Cave marker unvieling ceremony will be 4pm 6/7/26Cave tour @11am Notification will be placed on the facebook page. Give them Donna’s phone **** Car Show 6/20 3-6pmT- Shirts will be handed outLocksmith came to the museum and fixed the lock without needing to replace
Date and time to be determined for 50th anniversary in July 25th @ 4pm. Dennis will send out invites
Beverly Filkins called Donna for Altamont Fair looking for the ribbons and pictures of the Grange > Dennis believes the ribbons are in the museum closet among other awards. Mrs. Chamberland believes there are a number of historical items in the Schinnerer House.
Donna attended a meeting 5/5 by Elizabeth Gary Showed a film about the Anti-Rent movement and was well attended
Dues were collected.
Member Howard shared the Duanesburg historical society schedule for the coming months
Hello All,
My name is Aidan Alai, the new KHS secretary. I look forward to getting to know more members of KHS.
Without further adieu here are May's Meeting Minutes
The May 12, 226 meeting of the Knox Historical Society was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Dennis Barber. Members present included Donna Gwin, Anna Wolfe, Gary Crewell, Charlene Scoons, Aidan Alai.
Motion to approve last months minutes - passed
Motion to approve officers - passed
President Dennis Barber
Vice-President Gary Crewell
Treasurer Anna Wolfe
Secretary Aidan Alai
Treasurers Report:
$12.83 in CD interest
CD = 4544.86
Checking = $959.78
Overall Balance = 5,405.86
-30.77 from last year
+ 12.83 gained since April
Correspondence:
Electricity Bill to be looked into bill from National Grid
$100 donation Committee Report .
Memorial Day Decoration to be pulled from Patriot Room with Remove Benches Thur 5/21 to clear up 9am Clean-up Day Wed 5/20 9am for windows etc
Cemetery Walk - Spoke with Henry and Pat for permission to use High Point Cementary. High Point Cementary will be available for a Fall walk (Date TBD)Knox Cave marker unvieling ceremony will be 4pm 6/7/26Cave tour @11am Notification will be placed on the facebook page. Give them Donna’s phone **** Car Show 6/20 3-6pmT- Shirts will be handed outLocksmith came to the museum and fixed the lock without needing to replace
Date and time to be determined for 50th anniversary in July 25th @ 4pm. Dennis will send out invites
Beverly Filkins called Donna for Altamont Fair looking for the ribbons and pictures of the Grange > Dennis believes the ribbons are in the museum closet among other awards. Mrs. Chamberland believes there are a number of historical items in the Schinnerer House.
Donna attended a meeting 5/5 by Elizabeth Gary Showed a film about the Anti-Rent movement and was well attended
Dues were collected.
Member Howard shared the Duanesburg historical society schedule for the coming months
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