To the Editor:

The New Scotland Historical Association is dedicating a new historical marker to honor Voorheesville’s IOOF Temple/ American Legion Hall on Wednesday, May 10, at 5:30 p.m.

The Voorheesville Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized in 1893. The current building was completed in November of 1909 and quickly became the community’s new social center. 

The building offered a large capacity for seating, a dance floor, and a stage for plays, concerts, and debates. In his book, “Voorheesville, New York – A Sketch of the Beginnings of a Nineteenth Century Railroad Town,” Village Historian Dennis Sullivan tells of the many and varied activities held at the hall.

In 1982, Donald Otterness and a group of Voorheesville Elementary students conducted interviews with many local residents. These interviews were compiled in a booklet entitled, “SALT – Preserving the Past,” providing personal histories of people who have lived many years in the town of New Scotland.

When asked what special memories they had of this area, many of those interviewed fondly recalled going to Saturday night movies and dances at the Odd Fellows or, as it later became, the American Legion Hall.

The hall still provides a place for village residents to gather and for events that benefit the community. 

The public is invited to attend the dedication of the new historical marker identifying this important local site. The IOOF/American Legion Hall is located at 31 Voorheesville Ave. in the heart of the village.

Judy Kimes

Publicist

New Scotland

Historical Association