To the Editor:
Did you know that Altamont is home to over eight museums?

Many of them are right on the Altamont fairgrounds: the Antique Farm Machinery Museum; the Farmhouse Museum; the Auto Museum; the new Military Museum, new in 2021; the Schoolhouse Museum; and the Village and Carriage Museum — to name just a few.

No wonder Altamont is famed for its interest in preserving the rich past of this corner of the county!

And coming up soon, on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the Mynderse-Frederick House in Guilderland Center, you can hear all about some of these museums at Mr. Doug Cornwell’s presentation, “What’s New with the Old Stuff at the Altamont Fair.”

Mr. Cornwell will first discuss the work of the Historical Preservation Committee of the Fair, which is composed of 14 volunteers working year round in twice weekly meetings to inventory the holdings and research the history of the fair.

Doug will then turn his focus on a selection of the most unusual and unique items from several of the museums of the fairgrounds, especially those items with local ties.

Mr. Cornwell resides in Rotterdam. He was born and raised in Schoharie County and, after attending Schoharie Central School, he attended the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill and the University at Albany. He served as a United States Army Infantry Sergeant in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star.

During the mid-1960s, Doug started a small antiques shop in a garage on his family’s farm along Route 443 in West Berne. Over the last 30 years, he has been involved in the purchase, appraisal, and sale of antiques, including more than 500 shows and antiques auctions in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Everyone is invited to this free program and the social hour following, sponsored by the Guilderland Historical Society at 451 Route 146 in Guilderland Center.

Tom Capuano

Vice President

Guilderland

Historical Society