The Formation of the Guilford Historical Society

"Nothing remains unless someone remembers it, and preserves it"

The concept of a historical Society in Guilford was first brought up for discussion by Tom Gray, the town historian at the Guilford Community Group meeting on April 28th, 1998. Plans were talked about concerning its affiliation with the Klee House and a temporary membership form was passed around. The following residents signed it: Clara Wahlberg, Lynette Baldwin, Steve Booth, Jennie Hadley, Earl Callahan, Jacquee Mason, Alton Doyle, Gert Pierce Boyd, Louise Butcher, Neva Haldridge, and Fran & Bob Seaman.

Community group meetings in May & June also discussed the society's formation with reference to chartering, funding, grants, membership, state requirements, and a display cabinet.

The purpose of the Historical Society would be to enable residents in all the hamlets of the township of Guilford to actively be involved in the research of the town's history. Membership in the society would not be limited to residents of the town. All are welcome. The Historical Society's goals are to preserve the history of the township of Guilford and to educate the community in the township's history. Through research, the society will focus on the beginnings of the township to the present, recording changes, trends, and family histories.

The first organizational meeting of the Guilford Historical Society was on Sept.15th, 1998. At the Oct.5th meeting the following were nominated as officers to the Board of Trustees:

President - Gertrude Pierce Boyd
Vice President- Steve Booth
Secretary&Treasurer - Jacquee Mason
Second Vice President - Fran Seaman
Town Historian - Tom Gray
The above members were elected on the Nov.5th, 1998 meeting.

Also present and active at our first meeting and subsequent ones were: Al Doyle, Tina Pabst, Earl Callahan, Wilma Felton, and Bob Seaman. The society meets the first Mon. of each month at the Klee House on Main St. in Guilford at 7:30PM

From Sept.15th, 1998 to February 12, 2000, the following historical topics were discussed and worked on:

1. The cemeteries of Guilford
2. The 1833 Meteorite over Guilford
3. The History of Joshua Mercereau
4. The Old Photography of Guilford
5. Artifacts in Guilford Lake
6. Beginning research on the Pillars Tavern (Angel Inn)
7. Beginning research on the bandstand that was in town
8. The Mills of East Guilford
9. The Coffin Man

 And the following organizational topics were discussed:

1. The preliminary charter
2. Non profit status of the organization
3. The formation of a non-profit corporation
4. Preservation of artifacts
5. Socials and fund raising activities
6. Membership drive

Nelson Tiffany presents insight on Revolutionary War Soldiers
The History of the Guilford Historical Society (as presented on 10/14/04)
List of Books available from the Guilford Historical Society  

On Feb.6th , 1999 the Historical Society had its first social with a presentation by Nelson Tiffany, the author of a series of volumes titled " The Revolutionary War Veterans, Chenango County, N.Y." A discussion and book signing followed. Many of the soldiers who fought the war that came from Guilford were highlighted. Over 50 people attended and refreshments were served. Displays of the old histories of Guilford and photography, past and present, were on display as well as our first display cabinet featuring the artifacts collected on the bottom of Guilford Lake by certified divers Tony Mangini & Bob Small. It is titled "Treasures of Guilford Lake"

Thomas Gray
Guilford Town Historian
March, 1999