Honor Barre's 200th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3551 BY: Senator ORTT COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Barre on March 6, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Barre, in Orleans County, New York, to be celebrated at a Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in the Barre Town Hall in Albion, New York; and WHEREAS, In addition, this auspicious milestone will be celebrated with a myriad of events from June 29-July 1, 2018; residents of the Town of Barre and visitors from the region will gather together on Saturday,

June 30, 2018, to view a parade which will end at the Barre Town Park; and WHEREAS, The Town of Barre can trace its roots to the Holland Purchase of Western New York, and the original 4,000,000-acre farm known as the Morris Purchase which was bought in 1791 from Massachusetts; and WHEREAS, The Town of Barre was founded on March 6, 1818, by Stephen Paine, who traveled via Ridge Road from Rochester, New York; the Town was named by another early settler, Judge John Lee who hailed from Barre, Massachusetts; and WHEREAS, The Town of Barre was formed from Gaines on March 6, 1818, and was part of Genesee County until Orleans County was established in

1824; the Town also included most of the Town of Albion, which separated from Barre in 1875; and WHEREAS, The first town meeting was held at the home of Abram Matteson in the spring of 1818; in that same year, Nathan Whitney was selected to serve as Supervisor; today, Sean P. Pogue holds this esteemed title; and WHEREAS, The Town of Barre's first church was a Congregational Society; in 1872, it was reorganized as Barre Center Presbyterian Church; pioneer Elisha Wright helped form the West Barre Methodist Church; and WHEREAS, Since its formation, agriculture has played an important role in Barre's history; the 35,000 acres of fertile, open land coupled with a favorable climate has made it conducive for growing important crops such as buckwheat, corn, rye, oats, wheat, dry beans, and hay; and WHEREAS, In the south part of the Town of Barre is the Muck area, which is a perfect location to grow potatoes, onions, celery, peas, lettuce, carrots, spinach, corn, dry beans, wheat and radishes; and WHEREAS, Dairy farming is also paramount to Barre's agricultural success; with 2,000 cows, the Town is the hub of the dairy industry in Orleans County; and WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth and change, the Town of Barre continues its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Barre, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Sean P. Pogue, Supervisor, Town of Barre.