Clarkstown Kicks Off 225th Anniversary Celebration

A year of activities and initiatives for the 225th Anniversary of the founding of the Town of Clarkstown is being organized by a committee of town officials, historians, and residents.

Clarkstown was established March 18, 1791 after separating from the Town of Haverstraw.

“The Town’s 225th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to tell our story for future generations,” said Supervisor George Hoehmann in his announcement. “I am excited for this year of events and exhibits that we are planning for the residents of Clarkstown.”

At the Town Board meeting Tuesday, the board plans to proclaim October as Clarkstown History Month.

The Anniversary Committee is creating a permanent installation in the lobby of Town Hall with a timeline and notable themes and people of Clarkstown’s history. A local Eagle Scout will construct the display cases for the exhibit for his Eagle Scout Project.

The Committee is asking any local residents that have historic artifacts, documents, or photos they would like to lend to the exhibit to please contact the Supervisor’s office at 845-639-2050.

The Anniversary Committee is also working to build an online history section of the Town website.

“We want our website to be a great asset for people to learn about our great Town,” said Hoehmann. “We want to highlight the many notable Presidents and people who have traveled through or lived in Clarkstown, as well as industries that thrived here over the years.”

Clarkstown also plans to coordinate with local schools on an essay contest and an art contest related to the anniversary. The winners, who will be announced in October, will come to Town Hall to be “Supervisor for a Day."

The Town is also working with the local Chambers of Commerce and other organizations on future events to be held throughout the year.

A March 18 historic house tour organized by the Nyack-based John Green Preservation Coalition took visitors to the 1739 Vanderbilt-Budke house, which the town purchased in 2011 and wishes to restore, as well as to the Old Stone Church in Upper Nyack and the John Green House in Nyack, which the coalition is working on, the Clarkstown Daily Voice reported.

PHOTO: Glenn Sungela volunteered to restore historical markers throughout Clarkstown. At no cost to the town, Glenn repainted several signs (two specifically were Town of Clarkstown Historical Markers). In advance of the 225th Anniversary of Clarkstown,the Town Board honored Glenn for his efforts in helping preserve the Town's history and keeping the town beautiful.