Deck the Doors at Amsterdam City Hall

A Celebration of Wreaths and Silent Auction to benefit Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark

Saturday & Sunday, November 26 & 27, 2011

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

For Immediate Release

Contact: Alessa Wylie, Museum Coordinator

Montgomery County Historical Society

(518) 843-0300

museum@oldfortjohnson.org

What do Amsterdam City Hall and Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark have in common, and what happens when the two houses come together for a holiday event?

Stephen Sanford is the common link between the buildings, and Deck the Doors at Amsterdam City Hall is the fun-filled, family event that happens when the two houses come together.

This benefit for Old Fort Johnson will bring history and creativity together as local area businesses, designers, organizations and individuals craft festive wreaths for all seasons that will decorate Amsterdam City Hall. All the wreaths will be available to bid on in a silent auction, and all the proceeds will go to Old Fort Johnson’s Flood Recovery Fund.

It has now been over two months since Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark was damaged by the devastating flooding that occurred in the area. Approximately five feet of water rushed into the Old Fort, reaching the tops of the mantels on the first floor. The Visitor’s Center had close to two feet of water inside, and, of course, our 18th century privy was tipped on its side. Restoration costs have been high and there is still much work that needs to be done but there has been overwhelming monetary and volunteer support from individuals, businesses and organizations. This is particularly reflected in the Deck the Doors fundraising event at Amsterdam City Hall.

The Wreaths

Amsterdam City Hall will be decorated with almost 50 wreaths of all types and for all seasons. Many include gift cards or other items that make them even more special. For example, Dolci Bake Shoppe’s “Sugar and Spice, Emerald Cinemas’ “Experience the Magic of the Movies”, Oakes Framing

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and Art Gallery’s Ebeneezer’s Redemption”, and the Marching Rams, Boosters and Alumi’s “All That Glitters” all have gift certificates included with their wreaths. Damiano’s Flower’s wreath “Pine Cone Greeting” has a matching table centerpiece.

Other wreaths include Rulison Honey Farm’s “Sweetness and Light”, Get It Done Construction’s “Sweet But Don’t Eat” , Kara Reed’s “Christmas at the Cape”, and Mary Lou Kristie’s “Four Seasons” to name just a few of the wreaths that will be a part of this fundraising event.

November 26 & 27

The event will kick off on Saturday & Sunday, November 26th & 27th with an open house at Amsterdam City Hall where there will be lots of fun for the whole family. Both days there will be a children’s craft activity, holiday refreshments, and wreath hunt where the object will be to locate as many mini-wreaths that have been hidden throughout City Hall as you can. You can also do a little holiday shopping. There will be goat milk soap, honey and beeswax candles among other things for sale.

On Saturday, November 26, local author Bob Cudmore will be on hand from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to sign his latest book - “Stories from the Mohawk Valley: the Painted Rocks, the Good Benedict Arnold and More” which makes a great holiday gift. Also, Rachelle Cotugno will be providing musical entertainment singing holiday carols. On Sunday, November 27, the Amsterdam High School Select Chorus will be performing at 3:00 pm.

Saturday, December 3

On Saturday, December 3rd from 1:00 pm to 4: pm Amsterdam City Historian Rob von Hasseln will be conducting free tours of historic Amsterdam City Hall. This is your chance to learn more about this magnificent building and one of the most prominent families in Amsterdam history. Plus, you’ll be able to view the wreaths and place any silent bids on ones you’d like to see in your home.

Wreaths on Display

The wreath display will continue through December 6th, and you can view and bid on the wreaths during normal City Hall business hours. All wreaths will be available to be picked up on Saturday, December 10 at Amsterdam City Hall during a closing reception at 1:00 pm.

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Thank You for the Support

Thanks to Mayor Ann Thane for opening City Hall for this festive holiday fundraiser to benefit Old Fort Johnson. It is rather fitting that we should hold this event in the former home of Stephen Sanford as he was one of the original founders of the Montgomery County Historical Society.

Thanks as well to all the organizations, businesses and individuals who have created wreaths for this event and specifically to Ship & Copy and Quality Express Printing for their continuous support. We certainly appreciate all the assistance that people have shown to us through this difficult time. We would not be where we are today without everyone who has stepped up to help.

Please Join Us

If you’re looking for something to do on Thanksgiving weekend we hope that you will be able to join us on Saturday and Sunday, November 26 &27 as we celebrate local history, creativity and the community spirit that makes us call this area home.

For additional information on this event, please call 518-843-0300, visit us on the web at www.oldfortjohnon.org.

A Holiday Tea

Saturday, December 3th

Thanks to the generosity of St. Ann’s Church, we will be able to have our Holiday Tea.

Attendees will enjoy a variety of tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones and tea pastries, and a selection of hot tea.

There will be two seatings: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The Holiday Tea is $20 per person and all proceeds benefit our Flood Relief Fund.

Reservations are required. Please call 518-843-300 to make your reservations.

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church is located at 37 Division Street, Amsterdam.