It’s a good thing the Cornwall Historical Society wasn’t in a hurry. Soon after it was formed, the organization received its provisional charter from the state on Nov. 10, 2000.
The society was due to get its permanent charter in five years, but somehow the five years grew to be more than 12.
Lots of things went wrong. The paperwork was lost. The state changed the guidelines for applying for a charter, and then closed the office that was handling the society’s application.
Finally, on March 12, 2013, the society received what is now called an “absolute charter.” The framed document will be displayed in the museum on the second floor of Town Hall.
The Society is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that is now recognized by the New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Department of Education.
Soon after the department celebrated the arrival of its long overdue charter it received a gift from Tom Quinlan (a former American Legion post commander). Mr. Quinlan donated the uniform and overcoat that his uncle, Thomas R. Quinlan, used in World War II.
The museum is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People can contact the society by calling 534-1279, writing to P.O. Box 393, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520 or visiting cornwallhistoricalsocietyny.com
