LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Historical Society of Quaker Hill
and Pawling upon the occasion of celebrating its 100th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts
of those organizations which seek to bring recognition to historical
places and events within the State of New York, and in doing so, help to
ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved
and shared with present generations of citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling upon the occasion of
celebrating its 100th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Many events have been planned to celebrate this auspicious
occasion; although June 14th is the actual day the Historical Society
was born, a program entitled "Changing Times-The Turn of Society" will
be held on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at the Akin Free Library; this program
will highlight events that took place 100 years ago that brought changes
to our country; in August, the Pawling Volunteer Fire Department will
celebrate its 115th year at Lakeside Park with a Parade and Fireworks;
and on April 30th-May 1, 2010, the 23rd Annual Tag Sale was held at the
historic John Kane House on East Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling is respon-
sible for maintaining and preserving the community's local historic
sites such as the John Kane House, the Akin Free Library and Museum, and
the Oblong Meeting House; and
WHEREAS, Through events the Society holds each year, the community's
cherished sites are able to be maintained; these historic landmarks
attract tourists and visitors from the surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, In 1897, Albert J. Akin, Margaret Monahan and their friends
were aware of great change taking place throughout the world, a new
century was just ahead; it was a time of reform in religion, education,
welfare, housing and agriculture; and
WHEREAS, At this time, it was proposed that at the end of each summer,
a community gathering with clergymen, educators and business people be
invited to come together and share their wisdom on a variety of topics;
thus in 1899, the Quaker Hill Conference Association was formed; and
WHEREAS, The week-long event, beginning on Sunday and ending the
following Saturday, featured a Farmer's Night, with speakers famed for
practical success in agricultural life, and a Quaker Hill Day with care-
fully prepared monographs on local history forming the Quaker Hill
Historical Series; and
WHEREAS, As a trustee of the Akin Hall Association and president of
the Akin Library Committee, Margaret Monahan along with her fellow trus-
tees, Mrs. W. B. Wheeler and Mr. T. J. Arnold, at a meeting of the Asso-
ciation on September 2, 1909, suggested a room at the Akin Library be
set aside as a museum and historical room and appoint a committee to
organize an Historical Society; under their leadership, an invitation
was sent to Quaker Hill and Pawling, New York residents to assemble at
the Akin library, on Quaker Hill on June 14, 1910, to discuss the possi-
ble formation of an Historical Society; Mrs. William B. Wheeler was
chosen Chairman and Rev. C.B.F. Pease, Secretary; after thorough
discussion, Miss Alicia H. Taber, Mr. T.J. Arnold and Rev. Pease were
appointed to draft a constitution and to report at a meeting to be held
on June 25th, 1910; on this date the report was adopted and the Histor-
ical Society of Quaker Hill and Vicinity was organized; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the members of the Historical Society

of Quaker Hill and Pawling, and for all the individuals who have worked
to bring proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition
in the grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling upon the occa-
sion of celebrating its 100th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling.