As you might well have imagined, the Austerlitz Historical Society will be cancelling some of our scheduled summer events due to the pandemic. This is a time when we have been forced to look at things with a new perspective as we make our way through this difficult time. AHS continues to look to the future and prepare for a time when we will once again be able to welcome visitors. We’re currently in the midst of creating exhibits and exploring the possibility of setting up outdoor activities which would easily allow for social distancing.
As we settle in for the remainder of the long winter and welcome spring we are actively exploring new possibilities. Listed below are some of the projects planned for this year. We will send out further information as details are finalized.
ART GALLERY OPENS IN THE CHURCH WILD AUSTERLITZ CELEBRATES THE BOUNTY OF OUR AREA OLD CRIMINALS OF AUSTERLITZ OUR MOHICAN CONNECTION AHS COLLECTION EXHIBITS CONSTRUCTION/PLACEMENT OF THE MENEELY BELL HOUSE MOVIE NIGHT ON THE GROUNDS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FLEA MARKET- JUNE 13TH THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL-JULY-26th Autumn in Austerlitz presents: WILD AUSTERLITZ -Celebrating the bounty of our area. OCTOBER-3rd.
The Austerlitz Historical Society will host a Flea Market and Tag Sale on the site of Old Austerlitz. Though vendors will take the majority of spaces, we will once again we offer members a table for $15.00 (while supplies last ) to sell household items only. There will be baked goods, coffee and food trucks on the premises.
Whether you have household items to get rid of or are a flea market vendor, call or email us for more information.
On December 7th from 1-3 pm the Austerlitz Historical Society will open it’s doors and celebrate the season . The Morey- Devereaux House will be decorated for the holidays with fires lit and refreshments served. As a thank you to all our members and volunteers, we will have a wreath decorating activity (reservations needed) in the Morey-Devereaux house and the Gift Shop will be open, offering a 10% discount to all members and volunteers. Stop by for a visit, decorate a wreath and stroll through our unique gift shop. Reservations for the wreath decorating activity are needed by 11/25/19.
Adults-$7.00 Children under 12- Free No pets please
This year’s Autumn in Austerlitz Festival is held on Saturday, September 28th, 11-4 pm. Rain or Shine. Admission is $7 for adults and children under 12 are free. With attendance averaging at well over 750, the event features a wide array of live demonstrations from sheep shearing to butter making, antiques, live music, entertainment for children, unique vendors, silent auction, quilt raffle and a variety of hot and cold foods to satisfy your hunger including our community soup station featuring over 6 home made soups.
During the summer, we start listing our Crafters, Food Vendors and Entertainers who will be participating in the year’s festival. Please check back for updates. If you’d like to see the vendors that have been at past Autumn in Austerlitz Festivals, please visit our archives page by clicking HERE
Autumn in Austerlitz began in 1997 as a home grown festival to raise money for the Austerlitz Historical Society to expand their educational programs.
Vendor space for our 2019 festival is now OPEN. If you are interested in applying to become a vendor please contact us by email at [email protected] or by calling 518-392-0062.
Following is a list of our 2019 participants as of 9/10/19:
Children’s Area Bubble blowing Pumpkin Carving Magic Show-In the Music Tent Corn Husk Doll Making Corn Kernel play area Wanda Halton’s -Crafting with Natural Materials.
Special Exhibitors/Demonstrations:
NEW – Ed Simonson and Friends-OLD MACHINES NEW- Antique Tractors NEW- Windsor Chair Making with John Porritt Wild Goose Chase NE, New Lebanon, NY Wanda Halten – Heritage Poultry Breeds, Canaan, NY Berkshire Hills and Dales Spinning Guild – Lee, MA Blacksmithing in the Forge Tin Smith-Walter Fleming-Ballston Lake, NY Cider Making
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Herron, one of the original founders of the Austerlitz Historical Society. Bob continued to be an active member and strong presence in all aspects of the society. He will be sorely missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on August 17th at 12:30 pm, on the grounds of the Austerlitz Historical Society.
Famed Columbia County Auctioneer, Preservationist and
Philanthropist Dies
Robert Herron (August 3, 1927—June 29, 2019)
Known by many as the “Mayor of Austerlitz,” Robert Herron of
Austerlitz, NY died on Saturday, June 29th, 2019 at the age of 91. A life-long resident of Austerlitz and
well-known expert on American antiques, auctioneer and local philanthropist,
Robert “Bob” Herron was born on August 3rd, 1927 to Mary Varney—a descendant
of an old New England family which settled in Austerlitz by the end of the
eighteenth century—and William C. Herron, whose family moved to Austerlitz in
the mid-nineteenth century.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy who later attended the University
of Denver, “Bob” Herron began collecting early American furniture as a young boy
and later ran a highly-successful auction house. One of the premier auctioneers
in New England, in 1997 the New York Times wrote that Herron had found “one of
the few major discoveries of the year”—an important collection of early
American furniture which brought antique dealers and connoisseurs from across
the country to the small hamlet of Austerlitz.
Continuing his family’s long tradition of serving the
community and fostering its civic life, Herron and his good friend, Richard
Mugler, Jr., were responsible for the preservation of the local schoolhouse,
the Austerlitz Church, a number of houses in the hamlet and the establishment
of the Austerlitz Historical Society. A generous benefactor, Herron donated
both funds and land to the Historical Society, which now boasts a collection of
late 18th and early 19th century buildings and a local
history collection. In 1987, the New York Times—along with a number of other
media outlets—reported on the restoration of his early house.
“Bob” also made substantial donations to community
organizations, most recently to the Columbia County Land Conservancy and for
the building of the hamlet’s new firehouse.
Known for his keen eye, “sharp as a tack” mind, and
unfailing wit up to his death, Herron will be missed by his family, friends,
neighbors and colleagues and the many volunteers he recruited in his life-long
quest to preserve the best of this country’s and Columbia County’s history.
He is preceeded in death by his brother, William Lee Herron
(1922-2007), and survived by his nieces Ruth Horak, Janet DeMonaco, Janet’s
husband Louis, and his nephew William Jr.’s widow Cheryl.
A memorial service will be held on the grounds of the Austerlitz Historical Society, at a time to be determined this summer. For further information, please check the historical society’s web site www.oldausterlitz.org or call 518-392-0062.
Memorial Donations may be made out to the Austerlitz Historical Society or the Austerlitz Cemetery (please indicate your preference), and sent to :
The Austerlitz Historical Society-PO Box 144- Austerlitz, NY 12017
The
Town and Historical Society are hosting events this Sunday in connection with
the installation of markers in Austerlitz and Spencertown celebrating their
designations as Historic Districts on the National Register of Historic Places.
These designations bring honor to the communities, and the placement of the
markers warrants a celebration.
These
two related events will be informal affairs with brief remarks, a few
photos, and then some refreshments at the old Town Hall.
Specifically:
At 3 pm we gather at the Austerlitz Historical District marker, which is
being installed on the Dan and Shani Palladino property, formerly Sally
Light’s, at 11622 Route 22 (east side). Brief remarks will be
made, surely including reflection on the sad loss of Bob Herron, and a
photograph or two taken for the historical record.
At
3:30 pm. we gather at the Spencertown Historical District marker, being
installed just outside the old Town Hall. Again, brief remarks and a few
photos. After which we enjoy some refreshments at the old Town Hall.
June 9th & June 15th 10:00-2:00 at the Austerlitz Historical Society
Fly Tying Workshop Morey-Devereaux House June 9th, 10-2 June 15th, 10-2 Join Bill Newcomb, noted fly tyer and trout fisherman in this interactive workshop. Bill will entertain you with the fascinating lore of trout fishing as well as the rich history of the men and women who fished in this area, as you learn to tie a fly and cast a rod.
” Not as complicated as you think” Bill Newcomb
June 9th- Learn to tie a fly that catches a fish!
June 15th – Learn how to cast a rod that will catch that fish!
Cost: $25.00 per session. Space is limited . Call 518-392-0062 to register. Snacks and beverages provided Bring a bag lunch or Lunch can be pre-orderd and picked up at an additional cost.
Due to the ongoing restrictions and the limitations as to the amount of people we can have on our property, The Blueberry Festival has once again been cancelled for 2021. Instead, we will host smaller events this season (the Barn Sale being the first). We are very hopeful that with more and more people getting their vaccine shots we will be able to hold our festival in the fall. We will expand this festival and the theme will be WILD AUSTERLITZ: Autumn in Austerlitz. The “Wild” refers to nature appreciation, hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking, bicycling, birdwatching, archery, traditional crafts, etc. If your club, organization, or business would like to participate, please contact Margaret Hover at [email protected]
This ever-popular event features early 19th Century craft demonstrations and wares, antiques, live music and entertainment, magic act, activities for children, animals, birds of prey, sheep-shearing, plus many unique and highly talented craft vendors, artisans and a special fiber art area. There will be blueberries galore and a blueberry pancake breakfast, in addition to a wide selection of tasty food items and baked goods.
ADMISSION
Adults-$8.00 Children under 12-FREE
No pets-Please
There is an additional charge for the pancake breakfast.
Pancake Breakfast 9:00 am-11:30
$8.00 Adults —– Children under 12 – $4.00
2019 Exhibitors
As of 7/19/19, the Artisans, Crafters, Artists participating in this year’s festival are:
