Assembly Resolution No. 625

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the
Historic Salem Courthouse to be celebrated on July
27, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
historic courts of law that would devote themselves to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Historic Salem Courthouse to be
celebrated at its Annual Al Fresco Dinner on Saturday, July 27, 2019,
with entertainment provided by Hot Club of Saratoga; and

WHEREAS, In 1867, the Washington County Board of Supervisors decided
to consolidate the county seat into one central courthouse; the location
for the new courthouse was under heavy debate, with various Washington
County towns petitioning to have the privilege of being the county seat;
in December of 1868, the Board chose Salem and the new town supervisor
was James Gibson; and

WHEREAS, The old courthouse and jail in Salem, circa 1789, were in
need of serious repair by this time, and the town decided both buildings
should be remade; in mid-January, the Board chose Marcus F. Cummings of
Troy, New York, to be the project's architect; he chose to move the
building site to its current location to allot enough space for the
courthouse and jail complex; and

WHEREAS, The current structure was completed in 1869; by January 1,
1872, the surrogate's office and all of its records were moved to the
courthouse and on February 15, 1875, a 713 pound bell from the Meneely
foundry in Troy was installed in the cupola of the courthouse; and

WHEREAS, The courthouse continued to be used until 1993, when the
county seat was officially moved to Fort Edward, and all county offices
were consolidated there in one new complex; and

WHEREAS, The jail was used until May of 2003, when the new $16.8
million facility opened in Fort Edward; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Washington County was going to vacate the Old
Washington County Courthouse in Salem; William "Bill' Eberle, a retired
attorney, spearheaded a group of citizens to take action and make the
courthouse a community center; and

WHEREAS, Concerned citizens met with John G. Waite, a renowned
preservation architect, who made a presentation about other restoration
projects and arranged for the group to visit recently restored
buildings; and

WHEREAS, The group held meetings on a regular basis and Bill Eberle
put in motion the chartering of a not-for-profit with the Education
Department of New York State; in January of 2002, the Historic Salem
Courthouse Preservation Association, Inc. (HSCPA) officially became a
corporation and elected its first Board of Directors as well as Bill to
be the first President of HSCPA; currently, Robert Akland serves as
President of HSCPA; and

WHEREAS, One of the corporation's missions, to facilitate the
transfer of the courthouse to a Salem entity, was carried out while
HSCPA negotiated with county official; by the end of 2003, the Town,
Village, and HSCPA finalized a partnership by signing a Memorandum of
Agreement; and

WHEREAS, On January 1, 2004, the Town became the owner of the
property; HSCPA took charge of management with the Village in a
supportive role; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and associations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Historic Salem Courthouse to be
celebrated on July 27, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert Akland, President, HSCPA.