To the Editor:
On Saturday, May 18, the McKownville Improvement Association will host two events celebrating the history of our neighborhood, and the 100th anniversary of the founding of our neighborhood association.

At noon, a dedication of the newly installed roadside commemorative marker for William McKown will take place in McKownville Park on Western Avenue adjacent to Stuyvesant Plaza.

William McKown started McKownville, building a large inn, tavern, and stockyard business on the Great Western Turnpike at the present Fuller Road intersection. From 1813 through 1824, he served as Guilderland Town Supervisor.

Speakers will include Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber, Guilderland Town Historian Mary Ellen Johnson, McKownville Improvement Association board member Bill Kidd, and Albany County Historian Jack McEneny.

The dedication will take place in the park rain or shine.

Following the dedication ceremony, there will be a potluck lunch and barbecue, with hot dogs and hamburgers provided by the McKownville Fire Department. Attendees are asked to bring a chair and a dish to share.

In the event of rain, the lunch will be moved indoors to the McKownville firehouse, located at 1250 Western Ave.

We would like to thank all of those who have supported these events, including the McKownville Fire Department; John Haluska and the Guilderland Historical Society; Stuyvesant Plaza and all who made donations that provided the funds to purchase the sign; and the many volunteers who have worked on both events.

Ellen Manning

President

McKownville Improvement Association