LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chester A. Peters upon the occasion of
his retirement as Town Historian after 50 years of distinguished service
to the Town of Williamson

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Chester A. Peters upon the occasion of his retirement as Town Historian
after 50 years of distinguished service to the Town of Williamson, New
York; he retired effective December 31, 2013, and his meritorious tenure
will be celebrated on Saturday, March 15, 2014; and
WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, Chester A. Peters rendered faith-
ful, conscientious, and valuable service to the Town of Williamson; and
WHEREAS, A native of the Town of Williamson, Chester A. Peters was
born April 17, 1919; he graduated from Williamson Central School, Class
of 1937, and earned a degree from Cornell University; and
WHEREAS, Chester A. Peters brought to his position an abiding commit-
ment to his community, a background rich in experience, and a deep love
of history that began long before his appointment as Town Historian in
1965; and
WHEREAS, Chester A. Peters' passion for history was aroused at a very
early age when, in 1930, he became aware of a collection of old books
accumulated from several former district school libraries after the
schools were consolidated; his love for reading and research, along with
an inquiring mind, turned into a lifelong labor of love; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career Chester A. Peters highlighted local
history and delighted in sharing his vast knowledge with both young and
old; he assisted many individuals in their genealogy pursuits, having
researched his own family history as far back as 1611 Holland, served as
advisor for the annual Pultneyville Historical Society Cemetery Tour,
acted as counselor and judge for the annual Wayne County Student History
Jamboree, assisted countless students writing research papers, including
participants in the annual Hoffman Foundation Essay Contest for High
School Seniors; and
WHEREAS, As Town of Williamson Historian, Chester A. Peters was also
an invaluable resource for professionals and fellow historians; he
authored many articles on local history for newspapers and newsletters,
contributed information and photographs for inclusion in local,
regional, national and international magazines, publications and books,
advised educators in writing the 4th Grade Local History Curriculum, and
conducted in-service workshops for adults and special electives in the
Williamson Central School District; and
WHEREAS, Chester A. Peters is well-known for his popular "talks and
walks"; he conducted countless walking and bus tours of historic areas
in the Village of Williamson and Hamlet of Pultneyville for out-of-town
groups, led walking tours of Historic Pultneyville during annual Home-
coming festivities, and each year, conducted walking tours of Historic
Pultneyville for hundreds of fourth-grade students over the years, which
included a stop at his home for refreshments; and
WHEREAS, In his role as Town Historian, Chester A. Peters traveled
throughout New York State making presentations to community groups,
including Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Legion Posts, Granges, Sunday
School classes, senior citizens' organizations, The Landmark Society,
and historical societies; he is a much sought-after speaker on a variety
of historical subjects, including cobblestone structures; and

WHEREAS, Chester A. Peters also served the Town of Williamson through
his many volunteer and civic activities; and
WHEREAS, He is a Charter Founder, Past President, and current member
of the Pultneyville Historical Society, of which he is still a member; a
two-term former member of the Board of Directors and two-term past Vice
President of the Wayne County Historical Society; he served on the
Building and Grounds Committees of the Wayne County Museum, and is a
member of the Wayne Historians Organization; in addition, he served for
10 years on the Town of Williamson Assessment Board of Review, is a
proud 55-year Member and past Secretary of Pultneyville Masonic Lodge
No. 159, and is a lifetime member of Pultneyville Reformed Church, serv-
ing on the Consistory and as Sunday School Superintendent throughout the
years; and
WHEREAS, Chester A. Peters has received accolades for his exceptional
work as an historian; in 1984 he was recognized by the Hoffman Founda-
tion for Outstanding Contributions in the field of Local History, is a
1989 Recipient of the Albert Corey Award recognizing long and distin-
guished service of outstanding town historians throughout New York
State, and, in 1990, was the recipient of the Regional Council of
Historical Agencies Award of Individual Achievement; and
WHEREAS, Chester A. Peters' extraordinary legacy to the Town of
Williamson includes the successful placement on the National Register of
Historic Places of 36 architecturally significant structures built in
Pultneyville between 1810 and the late 1890's; beginning in 1974, he led
and coordinated the successful effort, which consisted of 11 years of
meetings, research, documentation, and redoing necessary materials as
eligibility requirements for inclusion changed over the years; and
WHEREAS, A man of many talents and interests, Chester A. Peters
enjoyed many occupational endeavors; he was a self-employed farmer, a
carpenter, builder, florist shop and greenhouse owner, and a funeral
home employee; he worked as Caretaker of Lakeview Cemetery from 1961 to
2011, and is a self-proclaimed Maker of Tall Clocks and Teller of Tall
Tales; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Pearl Orbaker Peters,
with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage on June 2, 2013, as well as
their 12 children and their spouses, their 22 grandchildren, and their
31 great-grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, During his outstanding tenure with the Town of Williamson,
Chester A. Peters earned the admiration, esteem and affection of all
.SO DOC S R3823 RESO TEXT 2013
whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Chester A. Peters upon the occasion of his retirement after 50
years of distinguished service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chester A. Peters.