To the Editor:

I attended last week’s annual 11th “I Love My Library Gala,” the theme of which was “Bound with History and Friendship.” The library honored Marijo Dougherty and Sally Dague, two fantastic women of our community who epitomize the spirit of community giving and are outstanding supporters of our history and culture.

I wanted to share my thoughts with Enterprise readers about Marijo Dougherty and the role she played during my tenure as mayor, and who, along with her beloved husband, Norman Bauman, have become close friends of my family.

I first met Marijo in 2004 in the Hungerford Market bagel shop, through mutual friends. We quickly became fast personal friends. As I learned more of her professional experiences, I did not hesitate asking the village board to consider having Marijo head the Village Archives and Museum to replace the retiring village historian. Marijo was officially appointed in 2006.

Marijo, a mother who raised four children, sought to expand her artistic interests and enrolled at the University at Albany Arts Department, in a new program staffed by, among others, professors Ed Cowley, Mojmir Frinta, and Dennis Bing — all Altamont residents and artists in their own right.

After graduation, and a long stint as curator of the GE Art Gallery, Marijo was appointed the director of the SUNY Art Museum, bringing many shows to the gallery there, including a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit on Cuban artists, mounted despite the dire state of detente between the United States and Cuba at the time. She served both these institutions for over 20 years.

After retiring from the University at Albany, she was recruited to take on the interim position of director of the world-famous Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, helping to shepherd the institution in expanding its holdings and recruiting an outstanding director to replace her.

During the 11 years she acted as curator of Altamont’s Archives and Museum, and until her retirement last month, she mounted over 20 separate exhibits featuring topics mined from the voluminous materials, including memorabilia and photos of the village, collected by Roger Keenholts.   

From the collection, she spun compelling historical-based stories of our village founders, its businesses and community institutions, and featured a long list of movers and shakers who helped make Altamont what it is today. She mounted exhibits that helped us understand the underlying spirit of our community with exhibits on education, our parks, recreational pursuits, and our churches.

A small sample of the offerings she brought us includes:

— The Altamont Hose Company, the oldest volunteer fire department in Albany County, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year;

— Altamont Fair, the rich agricultural history, embracing three counties;

— Persuasive Images, the power of advertising of Altamont businesses;

— A Village Involved: Knowersville and the Civil War;

— Capturing Altamont: The Paintings of Mary Ann Brock;

— A Sense of Place and Station: Altamont Houses;

— Then and Now: Images of Altamont’s Past and Present;

— Vintage Portraits: Revealing Altamont Through Its Citizens;

— Play Ball! Old Time Baseball and the Altamont Athletics;

— Places for the People: Altamont’s Parks;

— Altamont High School; and

— Ingenious Minds – Altamont’s Artists and Inventors, collaboration with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute which produced 3D models of inventions derived from village copyright drawings.

Marijo collaborated with the Train Station Quilters on several projects at the village, library, and Home Front Café, and engaged in several cooperative ventures with the library, including coordinating the famous dessert table at the library gala in the early years. She even convinced her friend world-famous author William Kennedy to serve as an honorary member of the board at one of the initial events.

She featured articles, including, for example, a memorable depiction of Altamont’s pharmacist Steven Veneer, and his humanitarian initiatives helping victims of the Crimean War. Mr. Veneer was recognized by Tsar Nicholas himself for his work.

The Exhibition Hall was always showing a new exhibit, but Marijo was not corralled by the walls of Village Hall. She helped open the new Shilling Park on Maple Avenue with a found-art exhibit called Dogs in the Park.

She and Keith Lee, along with the corps of volunteers she recruited over the years, contracted with Arcadia Press to publish “Images of America – Altamont.” She also coordinated the publication of “Stained Glass Windows of Altamont,” a photo catalogue featured as part of Altamont’s quasquicentennial-year celebrations, which stressed the importance of Altamont’s faith community.

She led the community committee that helped raise funds to install the unique and successful Museum in the Streets walking tour, one of only two Hudson River Valley Greenway designated trails in Albany County — and much, much more. It's amazing when one reflects on the massive output produced by Marijo. Prodigious comes to mind!

I express my personal thanks to her for all that she has done for the village and mostly thank her for ensuring that the Altamont Museum and Archives has a bright future to provide our next generations with a place to learn about our history and culture. I hope you will join with me in hailing her achievements.

To help her legacy live on, a Marijo Dougherty Fund has been set up at the library that will feature oral-history podcasts [see related story]. A donor will match contributions, dollar for dollar; details are in the Altamont Library Notes column.

Marijo’s work is a reminder of others who selflessly labor in a genuine community spirit, like her fellow honoree, Sally Dague. People like Marijo and Sally have proven their support and love for our community through their thoughtful and generous deeds over so many years. I am heartened that the selfless giving of people like them will ensure that our village continues to prosper and progress.

James Gaughan

Altamont