A Century of Preservation

Community preservation is almost impossible without a sound knowledge of the peoples, places, and institutions that have impacted a community over time. Indeed, how can anyone reasonably preserve something without understanding exactly what it is that is worth preserving? For the last century, The Historical Society of the Town of Warwick has been working diligently to collect, analyze, preserve and publicize Warwick's past. History can be delightfully entertaining and exciting but it can be profoundly instructive as well.

Our historical society has performed the vital function of revealing the past so that this and future generations of Warwickians can plan wisely for our community's future. As Abraham Lincoln once said `how can you know where you're going if you don't know where you've been'. So, since 1906 we have been studying our past and sharing it with our local newspapers and our political, religious, cultural and educational institutions. Consequently, our community leaders have richly benefited by being able to draw from the experiences of those who preceded them. We have all been able to better contextualize our current problems and challenges and through history we have developed a greater appreciation of our town's unique heritage and have cultivated a stronger sense of civic responsibility and commitment towards its sustainability and progress. A community detached from its past is a community without a compass or a rudder to chart its course. It is a community of people who lack courage, vision and civic pride. Thanks to generations of hardworking members, the Historical Society has given our town the tools it has used to make Warwick one of New York State's premiere municipalities.

How has this been achieved? Through donations from many citizens of memorabilia the Society has acted as a conservator and repository of useful information. Dozens of historic landmarks have been saved from destruction and no less than eight have been transformed into museums open to the public while others have been meticulously restored and returned to private professional, residential, or commercial use. Obscure cemeteries and their occupants have been identified and preserved. An archives program has exhaustively catalogued and preserved clothing, furniture, agricultural tools, letters, photos and documents donated by scores of community-minded citizens over the last hundred years. In addition, the Society has celebrated our town's past through a multitude of public exhibitions, lectures, pageants, walking tours and historical re-enactments. It has set out numerous roadside historic markers and has helped to convert used-car sales lots and vacant parcels into picturesque village greens. It also played a major role in the establishment of our nationally-registered historic district. Society members have helped owners of historic properties to learn about their origins and architecture and to assist them in finding the means to preserve them.

Through its many publications, including films, books, journals, and occasional pamphlets Warwickians of all ages and backgrounds have been enlightened, inspired and guided by the accomplishments of earlier generations. All this would have been impossible without a cavalcade of community-spirited volunteers who serve as curators, docents, researchers, writers, auctioneers, musicians, caterers, groundskeepers, bookkeepers, and fundraisers.

The Historical Society of the Town of Warwick has provided us with an adventure in community self-discovery. It has given us an essential sense of place and civic identity in an increasingly turbulent and uncertain world. We only need to look around us to realize that Warwick is a very special community and the Historical Society has helped to make it so.

Richard W. Hull