Germantown History Department

Germantown History Department The Germantown History Department is located in the First Reformed Parsonage, 52 Maple Ave., Germantown, NY 12526.

Hours are 9A-12P Saturdays and by appointment. The mission of the Germantown History Department is to collect, preserve and share the artifacts and the oral, documentary, personal and physical histories of the communities of Columbia County. The history of Columbia County remains alive in the memories of its older citizens, in official and family documents, in artifacts and buildings and other mo

numents still standing on the landscape. The goal of the Department is to keep this history alive by recording these memories, researching and interpreting these documents, collecting these artifacts, and by visiting, exploring and photographing these buildings and other landmarks before they are lost. By involving local people and institutions in its work, the Department aims to foster a sense of pride in the community and in our collective past and future.

A couple of substantial Lashers talking about Chancellor Livingston.
06/17/2026

A couple of substantial Lashers talking about Chancellor Livingston.

On Sunday evening, the most junior historians in Germantown unveiled the beautiful new William G. Pomeroy Foundation® Hi...
06/17/2026

On Sunday evening, the most junior historians in Germantown unveiled the beautiful new William G. Pomeroy Foundation® Historic Transportation sign at Cheviot Park! Martin Overington, Chair of the Waterfront Advisory Committee also led a poignant dedication of a new plaque honoring the late Doris Sieck Dubac for her many contributions to the community. Donald and Eric Dubac were on hand. 

Cheviot has gone by many names - Hunterstown in the Palatine era, Jacobi's Landing late in the 18th century, Lasher's Landing in the early 19th century, and East Camp (a throwback to the Palatine era) until Cheviot emerged in 1886. The Historic Transportation sign captures the arrival of the Hudson River Railroad in October 1851 and Edgar R. DeWitt's 1,000-foot-long dock built in 1911. The ruins of the dock can be seen plainly at low tide. 

We also spoke about the ongoing fight against water chestnuts (trapa natans), remarking on how Cheviot Park was completely socked in and inaccessible by boat just five years ago. All of the open water you see in the photos is man-made, as a result of the cutter boat. 



📸 Susan Hadden Friends of Historic Germantown

Best Historical Representation! Town of Germantown, New York
06/17/2026

Best Historical Representation! Town of Germantown, New York

A few more pics of Washington Crossing the Delaware at the Hudson Flag Day Parade !
06/15/2026

A few more pics of Washington Crossing the Delaware at the Hudson Flag Day Parade !

06/14/2026
What a blast it was to depict Gen. Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776! Proud to be one...
06/14/2026

What a blast it was to depict Gen. Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776! Proud to be one of many great history-themed floats in the Hudson Flag Day Parade

This never would have happened without the tireless efforts of Nicky Sacco-Brown, Roy Brown, Yvonne Crawford, Andy Crawford, Lauren Williams, Bill Shannon, and all of our kids and grandkids.

06/13/2026
The Semiquincentennial of the United States of America rolls on today at the Hudson Flag Day Parade. Look for a rather P...
06/13/2026

The Semiquincentennial of the United States of America rolls on today at the Hudson Flag Day Parade. Look for a rather Palatine-looking George Washington among the floats!

Our new Germantown 250 logo was produced by Eric Ovalle with support from Friends of Historic Germantown

The two church steeples signify the early Reformed and Lutheran churches, the tightly clustered neighborhood a likeness of 18th century old Queensbury/Sharp's Landing area, the pitch pine tree a symbol of the 1710 Palatine Migration, the apple tree for the subsequent agricultural history of Germantown. We tried to sneak in two plumes of smoke in the distance to symbolize the burning of Kingston and Clermont, but couldn't quite fit them in.

Address

Germantown, NY

Opening Hours

9am - 12pm

Telephone

+15185373600

Website

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