LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Historian Alice Begley for her numer-
ous years of service to the Town of Guilderland, New York

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 commend
Historian Alice Begley for her numerous years of service to the Town of
Guilderland, New York; and
WHEREAS, For many decades, Alice Begley has rendered faithful, consci-
entious, and valuable service as Historian for the Town of Guilderland;
and
WHEREAS, This esteemed woman has brought to her position an abiding
commitment to her community, a background rich in experience, and a deep
love of history that began long before her appointment as Town Histori-
an; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in North Albany, New York, Alice Begley and
her late husband, James F. Begley, moved to Westmere, New York, a hamlet
in the Town of Guilderland in 1953; she has happily lived in the same
ranch house for 63 years; and
WHEREAS, As Historian of Guilderland, Alice Begley loves living in
"this very special place"; she enjoys writing of daily town life long
gone, about taverns from centuries past to long-forgotten Civil War
heroes who hailed from the town to drag racing legend Shirley "Cha Cha"
Muldowney; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Alice Begley has written about the old two-room
schoolhouse on Schoolhouse Road, where her daughter attended school, and
researched the history of Western Turnpike, known as Route 20, which was
a two-lane macadam country road when she arrived; today, she continues
to relish investigating historical queries from residents; and
WHEREAS, Alice Begley fondly remembers a time when there were no banks
and no supermarkets in a town with a population of 4,500; currently, the
Town of Guilderland is comprised of a major retail mall, shopping
centers, strip malls, several supermarkets, many banks and more than
35,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, With a deep sense of civic pride, Alice Begley has been
instrumental in saving and restoring John Schoolcraft's historic house
on Western Avenue; a well-respected member of his community, John
Schoolcraft held the position of President of the Commercial Bank of
Albany, and served as both a New York State Legislator and a United
States Congressman; and
WHEREAS, In 1845, John Schoolcraft built the distinctive Gothic
Revival home near his family's glassworks factory along Foundry Road; he
lived there with his wife, Caroline Canfield, whom he married in 1853,
when he was 47 and she was 19; and
WHEREAS, Caroline Canfield was the niece of his close friend, William
H. Seward, New York Governor, Presidential Candidate and Secretary of
State for President Abraham Lincoln; the couple had three children
before John Schoolcraft died in 1860; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, after many years of neglect, the landmark
Schoolcraft house, with its pointed arches, Gothic windows, dormers and
intricate gingerbread detailing, fell into severe disrepair; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, at the urging of Alice Begley and other history
buffs, the Town of Guilderland bought the property for $110,000, saving
it from possible demolition; since then the house has been turned into

the town's cultural center, where they hope to host various lectures and
other events for the public; and
WHEREAS, In defiance of critics who considered the purchase a waste of
taxpayer money, the restoration has turned into a two-decade labor of
love by Alice Begley and the Friends of the Schoolcraft Cultural Center,
a half-dozen diehard supporters; and
WHEREAS, With some funding from the Town, state grants, donations and
proceeds from numerous fundraisers, significant funds have been spent
renovating the beautiful home; rooms on the main floor have been fully
restored, and more work is planned for the upstairs; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Alice Begley published a book called CONGRESSMAN
JOHN L. SCHOOLCRAFT ... AND HIS HOUSE, describing the noble public serv-
ant and telling the marvelous story of his historical house which
deserves to forever remain a remembrance of Guilderland's storied past;
and
WHEREAS, Recently, at the age of 90, Alice Begley published her fourth
book entitled MORE FROM THE HISTORIAN'S DESK, a collection of local
history pieces she wrote for the ALTAMONT ENTERPRISE; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her long and illuminating career, Alice Begley has
highlighted local history and has delighted in sharing her vast know-
ledge with both young and old; she continues to be an invaluable
resource for anyone with a desire to know more about the history of the
Town of Guilderland and its surrounding environs; and
WHEREAS, During her outstanding tenure as Town Historian, Alice Begley
has earned the admiration, esteem and affection of all of those whose
lives she has touched; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been three children, five grandchil-
dren, and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as her late husband, James,
all of whom have felt privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in
her achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Historian Alice Begley for her numerous years of service to the
Town of Guilderland, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Alice Begley.