Historian
Historian
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We are looking for residents to serve on a committee and contribute their time/experience to Town efforts. Contact Sue Haag shaag@austerlitzny.com
A Historic Celebration in the Town of Austerlitz!
The Town of Austerlitz is committed to honoring and celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this July 4th, 2026.
Spencertown is one of two hamlets in the Town with deep roots reaching back before the American Revolution. Settled in 1756/1757, Spencertown and surrounding area was originally formed when Native American claimants deeded 20,725.5 acres to 75 individuals who would become the “Spencers Town” proprietorship. The community existed before, during, and after the Revolutionary War and remains rich in historical significance to this day.
A Celebration of History, Community, and Legacy
To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s founding, the Town Supervisor and town board appointed a committee in early 2024 and committed funds for a public celebration that will bring history to life for residents and visitors of all ages. Funding for the event have also been provided by much appreciated community grants from the Bank of Greene County and the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation.
The event will include:
● A parade featuring local residents, military veterans, businesses, emergency services, and organizations - in Revolutionary era dress and/or with creative, historic-themed floats if they’d like. A “Best Float” (and more) awards will be presented following the parade.
● A formal reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Spencertown hamlet.
● A free community meal, music by a live band, children’s activities, and historical displays—all under a large 100' x 60' tent in the heart of Spencertown.
● Distribution of historical pamphlets and an illustrated coloring book, created by local volunteers with the help of a professional children’s book illustrator who has also volunteered her time, blending art and history to engage both children and adults in the story of Spencertown during the 1776 era.
For the event Flyer with more information click here - Celebration Flyer Any questions contact: dharrison@austerlitxny.com
SPREAD THE WORD !
Tom Moreland, Town Historian
Phone: 518-392-3260 Ext. 306
Fax: 518-392-9350
tmoreland@austerlitzny.com
Office Hours: Set hours TBD and by appointment. Please note: Voicemail is not checked daily
Town Historian Information
Tom Moreland has returned as Town Historian for 2026! A past Austerlitz Town Historian and respected author of town history, he returns to the position with extensive experience and a deep commitment to documenting and preserving our community’s history.
Tom can be reached by email tmoreland@austerlitzny.com or phone
(518) 392-3260 ext. 306 (VM not checked daily) to answer inquiries concerning any aspect of Austerlitz history. He is also interested in receiving (for the Town) any information, documents, photographs or artifacts pertaining to Austerlitz history or any of its prior residents.
The Austerlitz Historical Society, located at Old Austerlitz on Route 22 in Austerlitz, maintains a reference library for the study of local history. To make arrangements to visit the library call the Society's at (518) 392-0062.
This page contains a short history of Austerlitz excerpted from the fuller history written by Tom Moreland as part of The Old Houses of Austerlitz, a book published in 2018 by the Historical Society. In 2024 the Austerlitz Historical Society published a revised, second edition of the book that can be purchased at the History Center or from the Society (also available from the Society on CD-rom). It contains individual histories of each of the 168 houses and other existing buildings in Austerlitz that were constructed between the 1760’s and 1888.
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