Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 056 1971

PRESIDENT'S REPORT During 1971, the Society has increased by 36 memberships. There have been 70 new memberships, and a decrease of 34, mostly due to death and transfer. With increases such as this the Society shows good health.

The pilgrimage, while a success for the people enjoying it, was unsuccessful financially. Next year other arrangements will have to be made; the indication being a modest fee to cover transportation and the noontime repast. It seems too bad that highly enjoyable events for the members have to take so much out of our treasury.

Speaking of the treasury, we are in reasonably sound financial being as of the close of 1971.

The Glebe House committee has been active in purchasing new furniture and trying to acquire antiques that will justly fit their home.

As we all know, "Landmarks" have been very active this past year and, while many good things have come from their activities, I think we have to watch that they don't become a super zoning agency. Their work locally, such as the "Union Street Project", while very commendable, has historic value that may be somewhat dubious. However, their interest in private development of this area should be helped in all ways by the private sector of the community. The building up of deteriorated old sections of a city, town or county cannot but help all of us, and make it easier for all to function as useful participants in today's community.

This year the Society spent $350.00 in renovating the History Room at Adriance Memorial Library and for 1972 has budgeted $2,800 for further improvements. This, I am sure, will be appreciated by the people who are employed there and the hundreds of researchers who use it for reference. For reasons that are not obvious, the City of Poughkeepsie failed to help as was promised. An educational program is evidently needed for our Board of Aldermen. Preserving our history and heritage so long as it does not impede our future is very important business, but some take it lightly and this shows a complete lack of understanding. We must all try to reverse this condition, needless to say.

I must conclude on a sad note. As this Year Book was just about to be completed, we were shocked to learn of the death of our editor, Baltus Van Kleeck. We have lost a valued friend and member and I wish to extend the sympathies of all of us to the Van Kleeck family. Please see on pages 24 and 25 our Memoriam for Baltus.

We sincerely appreciate the assistance of his son-in-law, Gordon Hamersley, who graciously stepped in to put the Year Book to press. We plan to create an official title of Year Book Editor and invite him to accept the post for the coming year.

Herbert S. Roig President 20