Herkimer County Historical Society

08/09/2026

Have a great Sunday!!

08/08/2026

Wednesday night! 6pm!

08/08/2026

The bride looks SO tiny!

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

The Dolgeville Coal Company

Founded in 1892 in Dolgeville, New York, with a capital of $20,000. Organized under the industrial expansion led by German-American industrialist Alfred Dolge, the business built large modern coal sheds near the local railroad terminus to supply fuel for the growing manufacturing village.

Key Milestones
1892: Company establishment alongside the opening and expansion of the local rail infrastructure.
1909–1910: Following Alfred Dolge's earlier financial restructuring, the business underwent a formal dissolution and reorganization, later passing into the hands of new management such as George B. and H.C. Wright.
20th Century: The company continued to operate locally for decades, supplying residential and industrial coal via the Little Falls and Dolgeville railroad line until shifting energy needs and the eventual closure of the rail line altered local fuel distribution.

08/06/2026

Surprisingly, everyone had the same answer(except one person)...but it wasn't the one on my card....

The answer to this week's trivia question:
What Herkimer County village was built around a village green, in the manner of the home villages of its New England settlers?

IS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Salisbury
😉😉😉😉😉

08/05/2026

IIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTSSSSSSSSSSSS TRIVIA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Wednesday my Answer Army!!

I hope you all had a fantastic week!! I don't think this weeks question will be a stumper, but it might take a minute.

Here is this weeks trivia question:
What Herkimer County village was built around a village green, in the manner of the home villages of its New England settlers?

Good luck Fact Finders, answer tomorrow!

08/04/2026

**Polly Anne (Jane) Reed** (1818–1881) was one of the most accomplished artists in the American Shaker community. Born in Fairfield, New York, she joined the Shakers at New Lebanon when she was just eight years old after meeting missionary Calvin Green. Her decision to join the religious community became well known and later inspired the 1909 novel *Susanna and Sue* by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

Raised and educated within the Shaker community, Reed spent much of her life as a skilled tailoress, teacher, calligrapher, and leader. Renowned for her beautiful penmanship, she frequently served as a scribe, producing handwritten hymnals using the Shakers' unique musical notation system. She was also admired for her fine needlework and innovative teaching methods, introducing students to trades such as tanning and gardening while encouraging organized play.

Reed's leadership roles grew throughout her life. She was appointed an Eldress in 1855 and became a member of the Shaker Ministry in 1869, serving until she died in 1881.

During the Shakers' **Era of Manifestations**, Reed created nearly fifty visionary "gift drawings," making her one of the movement's most notable artists. Her works combined elegant calligraphy with symbolic imagery, including hearts, leaves, doves, flowers, and other decorative elements. Some drawings were created as rewards for her students, while others reflected her spiritual visions and occasionally included Masonic-inspired symbols.

Today, Reed's artwork is preserved in major collections, including the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Western Reserve Historical Society, ensuring her legacy as one of the finest Shaker artists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polly_Anne_Reed

08/04/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have rescheduled the talk to August 19th @ 6pm.

Hope to see you then!

08/03/2026

We would like to Thank everyone who came out on Saturday to hear Pamela Mccoll's program on Ellen Clapsaddle!!

What an amazing presentation she gave, and I never knew so much of the "history" we have been told of her, was so incorrect!!

We will be carrying her book on Ms. Clapsaddle when it is published!!!