To the Editor:

My wife and I attended a public hearing at New Scotland Town Hall on Feb. 17, hosted by Albany County leaders on the subject of saving the Hilton-LeVie Barn on Route 85A and moving it across the street, a short distance, to the Albany County Rail Trail. The meeting was honored by a full house of community leaders and citizens who had only praise for this project.

The positive oration given by all who spoke and the large number of those who attended is proof that the people of this area overwhelmingly support preservation of the town of New Scotland’s historic sites. We must all strive to retain our historical identity through continued acknowledgement of the people and places that built this community we call home.

Local developers like Senator George Amedore of Amedore homes are capitalizing on the wonderful assets of community and asking people to come live here. These new families making their home here in the town of New Scotland will thank our leaders one day for the community identity our forefathers and mothers have left for us to physically see and experience firsthand. If you have ever stood in the Hilton-LeVie Barn, you, too, would recognize the significance of this early form of farming architecture that was so much a part of America and country life.

It is Awesome!

Many of our early American barns have been allowed to fall down or be torn down and while the Hilton-LeVie Barn is more recently from the late 19th Century it holds a special place in the memory of many who have recognized it daily going to and from our town.

If we do not preserve our history, we threaten our very identity and disrespect the contributions of our ancestors.

These icons of our past and the appeal of our landscapes are the very things that draw newcomers to want to live here. I hope the developers recognize that. I’m sure they do whether they realize it or not.

I would like to acknowledge and commend our town of New Scotland leaders; previous town supervisor, Tom Dolin; past board member and current town supervisor, Doug LaGrange; town board members Bill Hennessy, Pat Snyder, and Adam Greenberg; also the work of our town attorney, Mike Naughton. Many thanks to our county legislator, Mike Mackey; our assemblywoman, Pat Fahy; and county leaders.

Mark King and the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy are to be applauded for their efforts to secure the land on which the barn will finally rest, as well as Jennifer Hilton the landowner who generously agreed to cooperate with the conservancy.

And not to go unnoticed, a great big thank-you to town of New Scotland Highway Supervisor Ken Guyer and all the hard-working men and women on his staff. The work they have done clearing the land, to make a path for the barn to travel to its new home, is an example of the hard work that continues to make New Scotland great.

Keep up the good work, everyone, and know in your hearts you have done a service to your community!

Timothy J. Albright

Meadowdale

Editor’s note: Tim Albright is the Historic Sites Chairperson of Town of New Scotland historical Association.