Senate Resolution No. 1815

BY: Senator HELMING

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the Towns
of Butler, Huron, Rose, and Wolcott, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, In full accord with its long-standing traditions, this
Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of
the Towns of Butler, Huron, Rose, and Wolcott, New York, to be
celebrated throughout 2026; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to an act of the New York State Legislature signed
on February 25, 1826, the Town of Wolcott was divided, effective April
3, 1826, establishing the Towns of Butler, Huron, and Rose; and

WHEREAS, Prior to European settlement, this region, with its
forests, waterways, and access to Lake Ontario, served as vital hunting,
fishing, and gathering grounds for the Cayuga Nation of the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Butler was named for Revolutionary War General
William Butler; the Town of Huron, originally Port Bay, was renamed in
1834 in honor of the Huron/Wendat Confederacy; the Town of Rose was
named for New York State Congressman Robert Selden Rose; and the Town of
Wolcott was named for Founding Father and Governor of Connecticut Oliver
Wolcott; and

WHEREAS, Early settlement was led in part by Revolutionary War
veterans, including Captain William Helm, who settled near Sodus Bay in
1800; Captain Peter Mills in the Butler area circa 1803; and Private
Jonathan Melvin and his son Caleb, who settled in the Wolcott and Rose
areas in 1805; and

WHEREAS, The region's fertile land supported early subsistence
farming, which expanded into broader agricultural commerce with the
development of local markets, the Erie Canal, and rail transportation,
contributing to Wayne County's distinction as one of the leading
apple-producing counties in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Beyond agriculture, these towns possess rich histories
marked by significant events, industries, and contributions to the
cultural and economic development of the region; and

WHEREAS, Though separated in 1826, the communities were united
through the establishment of the North Rose-Wolcott Central School
District in 1969, strengthening regional ties through a shared
commitment to education; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Towns of Butler, Huron, Rose, and Wolcott
maintain strong and productive relationships, celebrating both their
distinct identities and shared heritage; and

WHEREAS, These towns, rooted in history and sustained through
generations of growth and change, continue to provide a high quality of
life for their residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Towns of Butler, Huron, Rose,
and Wolcott, New York, recognizing their enduring contributions to the
State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Towns of Butler, Huron, Rose, and Wolcott, New York,
as well as the North Rose-Wolcott Central School District.