LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Town
of Canaan, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, In accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the
purpose of this Legislative Body to now commemorate the 250th Anniver-
sary of the Town of Canaan, New York; and
WHEREAS, To observe this historical event, the Town of Canaan, New
York, will hold a Community Day on August 1, 2009, with a multitude of
activities at the Town Hall and Stoddard Field; and
WHEREAS, In the Canaan Town Hall, visitors will find an exhibit that
reflects the rich history of the municipality donated by local residents
and institutions; an oral history for long time residents will also be
played and copies of a new booklet by Dan Rapoport, updating earlier
town histories will be for sale; and
WHEREAS, Across the street at Stoddard Field, there will be an art
exhibit featuring works by over 30 local artists and artisans and demon-
strations of traditional crafts, including fly tying, woodworking and
quilting/embroidery; and
WHEREAS, Located in Columbia County, the Town of Canaan, New York, has
gone from an industrial and agricultural colossus of the region to a
pastoral sanctuary buttressed by the tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, In the late 18th and early 19th century, a variety of mills
dotted the landscape of the Town of Canaan and farmers and mill opera-
tors coexisted comfortably side by side as farmers grew the grains that
the mills ground into sizable commodities; and
WHEREAS, In addition, local farmers became part of the woolen industry
in America by raising sheep whose wool was shorn and sold to nearby
mills; by the first quarter of the 19th century, more than 5,000 live-
stock grazed lands around the Town of Canaan, supplying farm families
with healthy incomes; and
WHEREAS, During this time, portions of the Town of Canaan were cut
away to help establish the Towns of Chatham, New Lebanon and Austerlitz,
severely impacting its population; and
WHEREAS, The tourism industry in the Town of Canaan dates well back
into the 19th century and was built around the attractions of Whiting's
Pond, which changed its name to Queechy Lake to capitalize on the world
wide fame of a best selling novel, QUEECHY; and
WHEREAS, Written by Susan Warner, who summered in the region, QUEECHY
borrowed liberally from the familiar characteristics of the Town of
Canaan to portray the fictional community of Queechy that was central to
the novel; and
WHEREAS, Of historic origin, and remaining fruitful over the ebb and
flow of decades of growth and change, the Town of Canaan, New York
continues to provide the quintessential quality of life for its resi-
dents; and
WHEREAS, The residents of the Town of Canaan, New York have a bright
outlook for the future of their community, which remains a beautiful
place in which to live and raise a family; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the rich history of the Town of Canaan, and
its enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative
Body is proud to pay tribute to this spirited village upon the occasion
of its 250th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Town of Canaan, and to enthusi-

astically salute its residents as they celebrate this auspicious occa-
sion, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in
the life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Canaan, New York.