Senate Resolution No. 4873

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMEMORATING the Bicentennial of the Town of
Wilton

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate 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
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Wilton in Saratoga
County, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Wilton celebrated its Bicentennial with three
full days of activities held April 20-22, 2018, beginning with a
re-enactment of the first town meeting at Wilton Mall's center court,
followed by the premier showing of "Wilton 200," a documentary video,
and the launch of Wilton 200 Kids' Quest, an event created by Boy Scout
Troop 24 that encourages children to earn a patch by completing a
history-oriented adventure trail from now through the end of summer; and

WHEREAS, In addition, a self-guided Historic Site Tour, starting at
Wilton Heritage Museum where maps directing people to various sites were
available; tour stops included the former Gurn Springs Methodist Church,
now home to Finishing Touches Home Decor & More; an 1830s barn; and the
former South Wilton Methodist Church, the oldest (1854) existing church
building in Wilton; and

WHEREAS, The Historic Sites Tour also included six old cemeteries,
some dating back to about 1800; Louden Road Cemetery is the final
resting place of several Civil War veterans, and Revolutionary War
veteran Edward Bevins, a 16-year-old drummer boy at the Battle of Bunker
Hill; and

WHEREAS, To conclude the tour, Stewart's Shops gave out samples of
its Bicentennial ice cream called Karner blueberry at Camp Saratoga; and

WHEREAS, The region, once called Palmertown was first settled around
1764; the Town of Wilton was created in 1818 from the Town of
Northumberland; and

WHEREAS, The Grant Cottage State Historic Site is located in Wilton,
in an area known as Mount McGregor, which is the highest peak of the
Palmertown Range, mostly north of Wilton; this site is the place where
Ulysses S. Grant died of throat cancer in 1885, just after completing
his memoirs; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Town of Wilton 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 Bicentennial of the Town of Wilton, 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
transmitted to Jeannine Woutersz, Town of Wilton Historian.