On Sunday afternoon, October 23, the Rockland House in Roscoe was the venue for the annual dinner and awards ceremony of the Sullivan County Historical Society (SCHS). This year the society celebrates its 50th anniversary at its present location, the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville.

President of the SCHS, Suzanne Cecil, began the afternoon by introducing current board officers and directors. Earl Kortright presided over the election of SCHS officers for 2023, with Suzanne Cecil elected as president; vice president, Aldo Troiani; treasurer, Judy Wolkoff; and secretary, George Grobusch. Elected to fill the remainder of vacant terms of directors in the Class of 2023 were Miranda Behan and Elsie Kopcha. Fred Fries was elected to fill the four-year term made vacant by Arthur Hessinger’s retirement.

To introduce the 2022 History Preserver Awards, Suzanne Cecil spoke for the board. 

“In celebration of the society’s golden anniversary of being in Hurleyville, we thought it would be appropriate to recognize all of the other historical societies and cultural centers in Sullivan County. The many organizations all have their own way of preserving and promoting the history of Sullivan County.”

Aldo Troiani presented the awards to representatives of the historical organizations, all of which symbolize the stated mission of the Society: the preservation of Sullivan County history for the enlightenment of future generations.  

Guests were entertained after the dinner with a mini-concert by Mickey Barnett, the SCHS 2021 History Maker Award recipient.