| The Andes Society for History and Culture | ||
| Mission Statement & Organizational History |
|
The Andes Society for History and Culture was organized in 1975 by Andes residents Eric Wedemeyer and Anne Geiger and was granted a permanent charter by the Board of Regents of the State of New York on June 13th., 2000. The organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Andes and the surrounding area and to providing diverse educational and cultural programming.
After having received the Hunting Tavern building in 1976 as a gift from the Gladstone family, the group began what was to be a 25 year journey into the world of building restoration. Being the oldest structure in the village presented the group with the task of restoring the pre Anti - Rent War era building while being sensitive to its original uses yet meeting the needs of a busy and growing organization. The Hunting Tavern Museum was finally dedicated on August 14th., 1999. In 1996, the ASHC purchased the former Pleasant Valley Methodist Church and dining hall located at the mouth of the Pepacton Resevoir. The facility has been restored and the dining hall renovated for use as a cultural and performing arts center. The organization purchased the old Andes Village Fire Hall on Main Street in 2003. Plans are underway for restoration and for creative uses for the second floor. For almost thirty years, the ASHC has operated a community Thrift Shop where good used items are donated and in turn, offered to the public for a nominal fee. This major fundraiser for the ASHC is now located on the first floor of the Fire Hall building. The ASHC's 30 year history in the community speaks of the literally hundreds of events, programs, concerts, lectures, demonstrations, scholarships, plays, dinners, tours, Community Day and other activities to which the organization has either sponsored, funded or contributed. All operations are organized and carried out by volunteers. The ASHC has a longstanding record of financial responsibility and stability with its income being derived from membership dues, the Thrift Shop, programming proceeds, donations and interest on the ASHC Endowment Fund. The volunteer Board of Directors consists of 8 members who may serve three consecutive three year terms and includes a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. At this time all operations are organized and carried out by volunteers
and various standing committees who are responsible to the Board.
|