From the Director

I am deeply honored to follow in the footsteps of the many great leaders who have shaped this museum over the past 94 years. Rensselaer County is fascinating, and I love our mission to “recognize every face and every story.” As I learn about the history of this community, I find myself drawn to tales of resilience.

Kathy Sheehan shared with me a story about the resourceful women of Valley Falls that is especially inspiring. Back in 1906, these women dreamed of building their own village library.  Their initial fundraising efforts fell far short of what was needed to accomplish their goal.  Not to be discouraged, they established a temporary library and embarked on a campaign that took nine years of dogged effort to succeed. The Valley Falls Free Library opened in 1915 with great fanfare. Recently expanded, it continues to “help our community live, learn and grow” one hundred and six years later.

Like the women of Valley Falls, the founders of the Hart Cluett Museum had a dream to create an institution that would serve this county for generations to come. Every action we take to support that dream has a ripple effect that serves a greater good: to collect, document, preserve, interpret and share the histories of the people of this county so together, we remember.

I am confident that 2022 will be a watershed year for the museum as we work to fully engage our community. Let’s be like the women of Valley Falls and keep up the effort. Your donation will have a long-term impact for generations to come.

Won’t you make a contribution to support your museum today?

Sincerely,
Starlyn D’Angelo,
Executive Director