Senate Resolution No. 5019

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the
Rosendale Library

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across the great
State of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its
citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Rosendale Library; this
momentous occasion was celebrated with several events including a talk:
Voices and Images in Rosendale Library History by Linda Tantillo on
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Rosendale Community Center; and

WHEREAS, The All Saints' Chapel, now the Rosendale Library, located
on Main Street in Rosendale, New York, was built in 1876 as a Gothic
Revival Episcopal chapel capable of holding 150 congregants; and

WHEREAS, The Snyder family, founders of Rosendale's Century Cement
Company, helped finance and construct the chapel in hopes of inspiring
cement workers to do something more wholesome on Sundays; and

WHEREAS, The one story building, with a two-by-five bay and a
rectangular chancel, has walls constructed with uncoursed cement rock
rubble stone coated with locally mined Rosendale cement; embellishments
and flourishes decorate the doors and lancet windows; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the wooden ceiling remains original, and a
small entrance vestibule and vestry are located at opposite ends of the
east wall; on the west end is a hexagonal spire paneled with a simple
Gothic motif at the base and louvered at the top; and

WHEREAS, The chapel was abandoned by the Episcopalians after two
devastating hurricanes flooded Rosendale in 1955 and 1956; and

WHEREAS, One year later, Andrew J. Snyder purchased the building and
told the local women's club he would donate it and pay for its
reconstruction as a library if they organized the effort; the Rosendale
Library Association was subsequently formed, and after renovations were
complete, the chapel reopened as a library in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Disaster again struck the building in 1975, when fire
damaged the library and destroyed most of its collection; the original
interior finishings, and all but two of the stained glass windows were
destroyed; and

WHEREAS, During this time, a small temporary library was set up on
the second floor of the Firemen's Hall on Main Street, and fundraising
once again began; sufficient funds were raised to not only repair the
building, but also to add a new wing which is now the children's library
and office; and


WHEREAS, In keeping with the original structure's design, a slate
roof with a decorative pattern of scallops and flowers was added; and

WHEREAS, All Saints' Chapel/Rosendale Library was placed on both the
State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1986; the unique
building won its designation for architectural significance and the
unusual and interesting materials utilized in its construction were
cited; and

WHEREAS, The library's masonry, combined with local limestone cement
rock, local rubble stone, and the use of hydraulic Rosendale cement
combine to make the building a unique structure worthy of visiting; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission and under the able leadership
of its Director, Wendy Alexander, the Rosendale Library promotes
reading, knowledge, cultural enrichment, and a sense of community by
providing its patrons with information resources, programs, friendly
staff assistance, and an inviting place, equally accessible to all, in
which to exchange ideas; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Rosendale
Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks
forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Rosendale Library; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Wendy Alexander, Director, Rosendale Library.