Friends of the Tracy

Friends of the Tracy Our mission is to work to preserve and restore the historical and architectural heritage of the Village of Chatham for future generations. Tracy. Delia E. Mr.

The Tracy Memorial Village Hall was dedicated on May 23, 1913 in memory of Albert E. It was the gift to all Village of Chatham residents from Mr. Tracy’s mother, Mrs. Tracy and his wife, Mrs. Margaret T. Albert E. Tracy had been bom in Chatham, attended local schools and Hartwick Seminary in Cooperstown in preparation for college, which he was unable to attend because of ill health. He was a Capta

in of the Cleveland and Thurman Marching Club in the first Cleveland campaign for the Presidency. He worked as a clerk in the post office under Postmaster George McClellan, and later in his law office to prepare himself for the large inheritance that he anticipated. He devoted his life to his wife, his mother, his home on the Kline Kill Road, and his fine horses. Tracy died on August 10, 1910. Attorney John C. Dardess presented the keys and deed of the building to Mayor William B. Daley. It was free from encumbrance and with an insurance policy protecting the building and its contents for the next three years. The building was built by the Tomngton Building Company for an estimated cost of $40,000. Horace W. Peaslee of Washington, DC, a native of Columbia County, was the architect. The building was described as follows: A large public lobby on the ground floor; police court; office of the police justice; detention room for prisoners and witnesses; meeting room for the village trustees; a public waiting room; office for the village clerk; a large room on the second floor for the firemen with smaller rooms for the General Logan Post of the Grand Army of the Republic; a shower bath for firemen; hardwood floors; mahogany doors and staircase; a steam outfit for heat; concrete sidewalks; electroliers of handsome design; lavatories on both floors; sixty five pieces of mahogany furniture for the firemen and twenty five pieces for the GAR. The basement was to have several rooms to be used as needed and a large fireproof vault for the safe storage of village records and the records of the Health Department. To this date, the maintenance of the Tracy Memorial is funded by a trust set aside by the Tracy family. The trust is managed by a Board of Trustees that meets yearly to discuss the upkeep of the building.

05/03/2026

Was a great morning after four years of work and patience.
Thanks to all for taking part and for coming out to see the finish project
For this that missed it we will be posting the video to our Friends of the Tracy website in Jine.
Thanks again

What a fabulous event yesterday! Congratulations to all involved! Shout out to Michael Blasl President of the Friends of...
05/03/2026

What a fabulous event yesterday! Congratulations to all involved! Shout out to Michael Blasl President of the Friends of the Friends of the Tracy and the members of Friends of the Tracy for their hard work, dedication and vision for such a spectacular project that truly captured the heart of our beautiful village. A shout out to Edgar Acevado and the CCYT for their collaboration and a beautiful presentation that was enjoyed by all!! Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the endeavor.

Mark your calendars. May 2nd at 11 am at the Crandell Theatre. The FRIENDS OF THE TRACY will be hosting a free screening...
03/16/2026

Mark your calendars. May 2nd at 11 am at the Crandell Theatre. The FRIENDS OF THE TRACY will be hosting a free screening in collaboration with CCYT of
CHATHAM …IN OUR OWN WORDS.
It been years in the making being held up with scheduling, Covid and anything else that could slow us down but it’s finally here.
We’ve stopped the clock and have interviewed several deep rooted residents who have shared the history of the village. Here they’ll reference things from back in the 1800s to wishes for the village going forward.
So put aside an hour to enjoy this historic journey through Chatham …. In their own words.

07/12/2024

Thank you to everyone who attended our 2024 Charitable Foundation Awards Ceremony at our Chatham branch! This year we are awarding $421,000 to local organizations!

Organizations who received grants at the Chatham branch were Alan Devoe Bird Club, Art Omi, Camphill Ghent, Canaan Historical Society, Canaan Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Chatham Area Recreation Project, Chatham Fire Department, Chatham Central School District Robotics Team, Chatham Kids Club, Chatham Lions Club, Chatham Rescue Squad, Chatham Rural Cemetery Association, Columbia County Agricultural Society - Columbia County Fair, Columbia County Fire Advisory Board, Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association, Columbia County Fire Coordinator's Office, Columbia County Pathways to Recovery, Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, Columbia Land Conservancy, Crandell Theatre, Darrow School, East Chatham Fire Company, Flying Deer Nature Center, Friends of Lindenwald, Friends of the Chatham Public Library, Friends of the Tracy, The Ghent Playhouse, Ghent VFW 5933, Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Hawthorne Valley Farm, Ichabod Crane Central School District, Kinderhook Lake Corporation - KLC, Valatie Fire Department, The Lily Pond Animal Sanctuary, Lucky Rehabilitation Center, Mac-Haydn Theatre, Mellenville Volunteer Fire Company #1, Morris Memorial, The New Britain Cemetery Association, North Chatham Free Library, Northeast Center for Spiritual Growth - Te Ryu Dojo, OK Kids Inc., Our Community Cares, Inc., Red Rock Historical Society, NY, Red Rock Volunteer Fire Company, Shaker Museum, , Town of Austerlitz, Town of Chatham, New York, Town of Ghent, Tri-Village Fire Company, Inc. Columbia County, NY, Valatie Community Theatre, & Valatie Santa Claus Club.

For more information about Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, visit www.tbogc.com/about/giving

Last week the Friends of the Tracy contributed $2,500 to the Crandall Theatre Capital Campaign. Friends of the Tracy is ...
01/06/2024

Last week the Friends of the Tracy contributed $2,500 to the Crandall Theatre Capital Campaign. Friends of the Tracy is a 501 (C) (3) founded in 2015. At that time some villagers came together to form a group whose mission statement says it all. Friends of the Tracy works to enhance and preserve the architectural, historical and cultural heritage of the Village of Chatham for today’s and future generations.
It was out pleasure to contribute to the Crandall as it strives to maintain the historic value of this single screen theatre, a treasure in our village.

Pictured here are Mike Blasl President of FOT, Lael Locke Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign, and FOT board member Kim C***s. The seat pictured here is a sample of the new seats that will be part of their campaign.

12/27/2023

It's that time of the years when we send out our pledge letters.Please take a minute to read the letter below and if you can, you can can make a donation through our web site at www.friendsofthetracy.com.
Thank you.

Our mission is to work to preserve and restore the historical and architectural heritage of the Village of Chatham for future generations.

So grateful for your help with our digital history project of the village
08/17/2022

So grateful for your help with our digital history project of the village

In celebration of , check out our recent Charitable Foundation Awards Ceremony from Chatham! We are proud to support our communities and local nonprofit organizations.

Organizations receiving grants at the Chatham branch were the Alan Devoe Bird Club Inc., Art School of Columbia County, Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, Camphill Ghent, Canaan Historical Society, Canaan- NY Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Chatham Animal Haven Inc., Chatham Fire Department, Chatham Kids Club, Chatham Lions Club, Chatham Rescue Squad Inc., Chatham Rural Cemetery Association, Church Street Preschool, Columbia County Agricultural Society, Columbia County Associates of Town Superintendents Inc., Columbia County Fire Advisory Board, Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association, Inc., Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, Columbia County Youth Theatre - CCYT, Columbia Land Conservancy, The Millay Society at Steepletop, Family Resource Centers of Columbia County, Friends of the Chatham Public Library, Friends of the Tracy, Hawthorne Valley Association, High & Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center, Inc., Hudson Jazz Works Inc., Ichabod Crane Central School District, Valatie Fire Department, The Lily Pond Animal Sanctuary and Gardens, Payne Louis F Foundation, Lucky Rehabilitation Center, Mac-Haydn Theatre, Mellenville Volunteer Fire Company #1, Morris Memorial Association, Neighbors of Northern Columbia County (NNCC), North Chatham Free Library, NCC Pop Warner Wildcats Football and Cheer, OK Kids Inc., Our Community Cares, Ps21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, Red Rock Historical Society, NY, Red Rock Volunteer Fire Company, Rolling Grocer 19, Stuyvesant Fire Company #2, Town of Chatham, New York, Tri-Village Fire Company, Inc. Columbia County, NY, Valatie Community Theatre, Inc., Valatie Free Library, Valatie Santa Claus Club, The Documentary, Valatie Santa Clause Club, Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc., and the Ghent VFW Post 5933 Auxillary.

HelloWe have presented the village with $50,000 towards their first phase of the renovation of the Tracy Memorial. This ...
11/12/2021

Hello
We have presented the village with $50,000 towards their first phase of the renovation of the Tracy Memorial. This was made possible by the many generous supporters of Friends of the Tracy and a grant from the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation.
It is that time of the year where we ask for your support for our organization. We will be supporting the village on the second phase of the Tracy renovation along with creating a digital history of the Village of Chatham. This history project is supported by the Bank of Greene County, Stewart's Shops, Chatham Education Foundation and generous friends, like you, from the community.
Visit our website to contribute on line @ friendsofthetracy.com.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

06/17/2021
Well, the day is finally here. Scaffolding is up on the Tracy. Mayor John Howe explained that this is phase one. It will...
03/24/2021

Well, the day is finally here. Scaffolding is up on the Tracy. Mayor John Howe explained that this is phase one. It will encompass a new roof and restoration of the cupola. Funding in part is from a NYS grant, private funding as well as a short term bond. Phase two which will proceed as additional funding is found will take in drainage and grading around the foundation as well as replacement of cellar windows and some systems upgrades.
Friends of the Tracy will be providing funding for this project at one of its phases. We thank all who have contributed to us and for those who would like to please visit our website for donation information (http://www.friendsofthetracy.com) as well as being able to view a walking tour of this beautiful building.
EXCITING TIMES!!!

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Chatham, NY
12037

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