RENSSELAERVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In 1964 the board of Regents of the University of New York granted a charter to the Rensselaerville Historical Society. Edward Van Kleeck had been a moving spirit behind the petition to the Regents and Thomas Eldridge agreed to serve as the first President. The new organization needed a permanent home and they envisioned seeing the old grist mill turned into a museum. Their first hurdle was to negotiate a lease/donation of the mill from the Huyck Preserve, the owner of the mill. The fledgling organization had a massive membership drive in 1973 and the membership hit 416 persons. The new members didn’t just pay dues but agreed to be part of this historic community by volunteering to be on its board of directors and join one of many committees. The 1975 year book lists an Executive Director plus 18 Officers and Board of Directors. Many committees were created. The research committee tackled genealogy, deeds, leases and cemeteries. Other committees were Museum of Local History, Museum Library, Mill Restoration, Publicity, Finance, Museum Acquisitions, Publications, Finance, Telephone, and Ways and Means. During the 70s many special projects were accomplished. In 1972 the Grist Mill Store was established with the purpose to raise funds and encourage home crafts. One of the first attempts to raise money was by publishing the Rensselaerville Receipts Cookbook. By the end of 1974, sixty eight persons throughout the town were interviewed and the information was incorporated in the book People Made It Happen Here. Both of these books are still available at the mill. To celebrate finishing the mill restoration the Historical Society in October 1979 invited the community to watch as the mill wheel turned again to grind buckwheat. It has been 57 years since the Rensselaerville Historical Society received its charter. The number of members has fluctuated and volunteers have come and gone, but its mission is the same, to preserve the history that makes the Town of Rensselaerville unique.