LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Water-
ford Historical Museum and Cultural Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of
life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its
exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that institutions
which are founded in educational purpose, and which help to preserve the
history and heritage of a people, merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Waterford Historical Museum and
Cultural Center; this auspicious milestone will be celebrated with a
yearlong celebration including its Canal Mule Parade, a fundraiser and
promotion of Waterford; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, after the White Homestead was purchased by the
Waterford Historical Society; The Committee for Waterford Museum was
established as a branch of the Historical Society, charged with raising
the funds and organizing the move of its new location; the committee was
chartered by the New York State Department of Education as the Waterford
Historical Museum and Cultural Center and their mission became to
improve the cultural, educational and historical atmosphere of Water-
ford; and
WHEREAS, Starting in early 1964, and ending with the grand opening
dedication on September 15, 1966, volunteers spent thousands of hours
fund raising, working on the building, running programs, starting the
Museum collections, all in preparation to open the new Waterford Histor-
ical Museum and Cultural Center; and
WHEREAS, On September 25, 1965, the Waterford Historical Museum and
Cultural Center officially opened its doors to the public with a small
collection of items; soon after its opening, the museum started off with
a Festival of History and Art, and programs were held at least once a
week for two months; and
WHEREAS, In 1968, the efforts of the Waterford Historical Museum and
Cultural Center's volunteers were officially honored, and the organiza-
tion was awarded the New York State Council on the Arts "New York State
Award 1968"; this auspicious award recognized the significant contrib-
ution to the quality of life and the artistic enhancement of the State
of New York; and
WHEREAS, The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center also
sponsors a wonderful program for fourth graders in the area, CanalWays,
which is a unique hands-on outdoors history experience, based on New
York State Social Studies Standards for the fourth grade; The New York
State Canal Corporation, the Waterford Canal and Towpath Society, and
the Waterford Harbor Visitors Center join the museum in an all day,
multiple location, hands-on program for fourth grade classes; and
WHEREAS, CanalWays is geared to enhance the students' understanding of
the history of canals, its impact on society and the canal today; the
program runs for 5-7 days and serves up to 100 students per day, includ-
ing visits to five stations where the students learn about canal history
in different learning environments; and
WHEREAS, CanalWays has been recognized as a worthy model for other
museums around the state by the Museum Association of New York, and the
Museumwise, formerly the Upstate History Alliance; in March of 2008, the
Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center was selected to give a
presentation about CanalWays as part of a workshop for other museum

professionals at the Museum Association of New York/Upstate History
Alliance Annual conference; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, cherished, preserved, and bodily
removed in space, a fine historic house, was rescued from destruction by
a dedicated group of individuals, and now houses communal aspiration in
the arts; and
WHEREAS, The expert staff of the Waterford Historical Museum and
Cultural Center are and always have been characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence, and accordingly merit the commendation of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Waterford Historical Museum and
Cultural Center; and it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center.