LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Saugerties

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Saugerties, New York; and
WHEREAS, Many festivities have been planned to observe this auspicious
occasion including exhibits at Saugerties Historical Society, musical
events and art exhibits showing the transformation over time and high-
lighting the Town of Saugerties' industry, businesses and residents,
culminating with a Grand Gala, to be celebrated at the Lazy Swan Country
Club in Saugerties, New York on Friday, April 8, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Saugerties is located at the foot of the Catskill
Mountains on the West bank of the Hudson River and 100 miles North of
New York City; this remarkable town is a mecca for culture, art, and
history, topped off by a magnificent view stretching from the blue foot-
hills of the Catskill Mountains across the Hudson to the green Berk-
shires of New England; and
WHEREAS, On April 27, 1677, New York's Colonial Governor Edmund Andros
signed an agreement with the Esopus Indian Kaelcop, Chief of the Amor-
garickakan Family, to purchase the land which is now Saugerties; the
price was a blanket, a piece of cloth, a shirt, a loaf of bread, and
some coarse fiber; and
WHEREAS, The first settlers were Dutch and in its early days, the
Saugerties area was a major supplier of grain; early Dutch settlers
established mills there including Barent Cornelis Volge, the Little
Sawyer who gave Saugerties its name; and
WHEREAS, The population got a boost in 1710, when a group of German
refugees from the war-torn Rhineland-Palatinate region near the French
border settled in West Camp; after seeking refuge in England, the Pala-
tines were dispatched to the Hudson Valley on an economic mission; and
WHEREAS, Having swelled in population since the original Dutch and
German settlers took up residence, Saugerties petitioned the state for
self-governance, which was granted in April of 1811; and
WHEREAS, On April 5, 1811, the first Town Board meeting was held at
the home of Christian Fiero and Saugerties was officially incorporated;
John Kiersted served as the first Town Supervisor; and
WHEREAS, Lured by the great water power furnished by the falls in the
Esopus, Henry Barclay built the first mill in Saugerties to become the
cornerstone of the Town's immensely successful paper industry; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Saugerties was known for its industrial inno-
vations; paper-making was revolutionized there with the invention of the
endless web paper-making machine; and
WHEREAS, The borders of the Town of Saugerties have not changed since
1811; many new hamlets have sprung up over the past century in proximity
to the number of businesses, eventually totaling 17; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Saugerties' early prosperous and thriving economy
is still evident in the architecture of Saugerties Village, known as one
of the most attractive communities on the Hudson; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the Town of Saugerties is a proud and beautiful
community which embodies a celebratory spirit, annually hosting a multi-
tude of festivities and events; as they serve as continuous reminders of
what a warm and welcoming community it has become; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Saugerties continues its commitment to enhancing
the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Saugerties, New York,
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 Saugerties, New York.