Schoharie County Historical Society Announces Full Slate of April Local History Programming

SCHOHARIE — The Schoharie County Historical Society has unveiled a robust calendar of events for April, offering interactive learning and historical exploration for participants of all ages. The month’s programming kicks off with the Junior Explorers: Farm and Garden sessions on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at the Badgley Annex. These history-based lessons are designed for children in first through fifth grades and focus on the fundamentals of early homesteading, such as planting and soil discovery. While the program is free for members, a $5 fee applies for non-member children, and pre-registration is required.

The schedule continues on the afternoon of Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m. with a presentation by local historian Jeff O’Connor titled “On Penalty of Death.” Also held at the Badgley Annex, the lecture explores the secretive recruitment of Loyalists on New York’s western frontier during the spring of 1776. Supported by 2026 Lecture Sponsor Fenimore Asset Management, the program is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 per person to support future historical society programming.

Community members interested in preservation are invited to a Historic Marker Training Day on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m. Led by Bill Bellinger at the Badgley Annex, this hands-on workshop teaches participants the proper techniques for cleaning and repainting the various historic markers situated throughout Schoharie County. This event is free and open to the public, with no prior experience necessary for those wishing to help maintain these local landmarks.

The month’s activities conclude with the Spring Members Meeting on Thursday, April 23, at 5 p.m. at Grapevine Farms in Cobleskill. The gathering will begin with a social hour featuring light fare and drinks, followed by official updates from the Board of the Schoharie County Historical Society regarding upcoming initiatives and projects. The evening will also feature a special presentation on the history of Grapevine Farms by owner Tim Purcell and an opportunity for guests to browse the site's gift shop. While targeted at members, the meeting is free and open to all members of the public interested in local history.