Honor Rosendale Library Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 5019 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the Rosendale Library WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across the great State of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Rosendale Library; this momentous occasion was celebrated with several events including a talk: Voices and Images in Rosendale Library History by Linda Tantillo on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Rosendale Community Center; and WHEREAS, The All Saints' Chapel, now the Rosendale Library, located on Main Street in Rosendale, New York, was built in 1876 as a Gothic Revival Episcopal chapel capable of holding 150 congregants; and WHEREAS, The Snyder family, founders of Rosendale's Century Cement Company, helped finance and construct the chapel in hopes of inspiring cement workers to do something more wholesome on Sundays; and WHEREAS, The one story building, with a two-by-five bay and a rectangular chancel, has walls constructed with uncoursed cement rock rubble stone coated with locally mined Rosendale cement; embellishments and flourishes decorate the doors and lancet windows; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the wooden ceiling remains original, and a small entrance vestibule and vestry are located at opposite ends of the east wall; on the west end is a hexagonal spire paneled with a simple Gothic motif at the base and louvered at the top; and WHEREAS, The chapel was abandoned by the Episcopalians after two devastating hurricanes flooded Rosendale in 1955 and 1956; and WHEREAS, One year later, Andrew J. Snyder purchased the building and told the local women's club he would donate it and pay for its reconstruction as a library if they organized the effort; the Rosendale Library Association was subsequently formed, and after renovations were complete, the chapel reopened as a library in 1959; and WHEREAS, Disaster again struck the building in 1975, when fire damaged the library and destroyed most of its collection; the original interior finishings, and all but two of the stained glass windows were destroyed; and WHEREAS, During this time, a small temporary library was set up on the second floor of the Firemen's Hall on Main Street, and fundraising once again began; sufficient funds were raised to not only repair the building, but also to add a new wing which is now the children's library and office; and WHEREAS, In keeping with the original structure's design, a slate roof with a decorative pattern of scallops and flowers was added; and WHEREAS, All Saints' Chapel/Rosendale Library was placed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1986; the unique building won its designation for architectural significance and the unusual and interesting materials utilized in its construction were cited; and WHEREAS, The library's masonry, combined with local limestone cement rock, local rubble stone, and the use of hydraulic Rosendale cement combine to make the building a unique structure worthy of visiting; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission and under the able leadership of its Director, Wendy Alexander, the Rosendale Library promotes reading, knowledge, cultural enrichment, and a sense of community by providing its patrons with information resources, programs, friendly staff assistance, and an inviting place, equally accessible to all, in which to exchange ideas; and WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Rosendale Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Rosendale Library; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Wendy Alexander, Director, Rosendale Library.