LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Ellen L. Wiley upon the occasion
of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Ellen
L. Wiley upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 9, 1912, Ellen L. Wiley is a descendant of a
family that settled in the Pittstown, New York, in late 1700s; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Lansingburgh High School and the Pratt Insti-
tute in New York City, Ellen L. Wiley began her career as an art teacher
in January of 1937, at the South Glens Falls Central School; and
WHEREAS, Ellen L. Wiley spent one year at the Notonville One Room
School teaching eight different grades, followed by a position at the
Redhook Central School; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, Ellen L. Wiley began working at Hoosic Valley
Central School as its first full-time art teacher; she remained there
until her retirement in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Ellen L. Wiley lives on the historic Sherman farmstead that
was established by her ancestors over 200 years ago; it is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and is considered one of the most
intact historic farmsteads in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Ellen L. Wiley has dedicated years of her life to promoting
appreciation and preservation of history, specifically in Pittstown; and
WHEREAS, A founding member of the Pittstown Historical Society, Ellen
L. Wiley has served as Associate Pittstown Town Historian, Trustee of
the Pittstown Historical Society, and most recently as Pittstown Town
Historian; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her years of service, Ellen L. Wiley has organized
multiple tours and exhibits on the history of Pittstown, and has been
instrumental in numerous preservation projects; and
WHEREAS, In addition to registering her family farm on the National
Register of Historic Places, Ellen L. Wiley has helped protect the 123-
acre Sherman Farm with the donation of a conservation easement to the
Agricultural Stewardship Association; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Ellen L. Wiley and co-owner, Paul Wiley, took a
leadership role in the land conservation movement in Rensselaer County,
by becoming one of the first working farms in the County to be
conserved; and
WHEREAS, Ellen L. Wiley co-authored, with Beryl Herrington and Evelyn
Bornt, a hard cover book, PITTSTOWN THROUGH THE YEARS, on the history of
Pittstown; and
WHEREAS, Ellen L. Wiley has been the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades including the Hart-Cluett Award by Rensselaer County Histor-
ical Society, and a Proclamation by Rensselaer County Legislature for
her outstanding contributions to Rensselaer County; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, This beloved woman has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Ellen L. Wiley upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ellen L. Wiley.