It Happened Here -- (Part II) -- A Marker was Erected...

The first and second series of NYSHMs begun in 1927 and 1932 established a precedent for identifying the '"sponsors" or "producers"* of roadside markers in New York.  The markers of the 1927 series were identified as "New York State Historical Marker"(s), and the series begun in1932 were headed with "New York" and  a silhouette of the state  and finished with "State Education Department" and the date.

Of the 3588 markers recorded so far, 1641 (45.7%) are official "state" markers, and all but 166 (4.6%) have no sponsor listed.

NYS Agency Markers

"State Education Department"          1423

"State Historical Marker"                   166

"State Highway Dept."                         15

"N.Y. S. Ed. & Conservation Dept"       8

"N.Y. S. Bridge Authority                      2
"N.Y.S. Environmental Cons. Dept"      1

                                                          1615

Gov. Pataki Comm. Markers                26
                                                           1641 (45.7%)

Two factors that make  American government and society somewhat unique are the degree which government is decentralized and the high number of voluntary, and often transitory organizations
that operate in American society.  More than 54% of the historic markers recorded were the product of local governments, private organizations, interest groups, temporary committees, civic organizations, ad hoc groups of citizens, families or individuals. Approximately 715 groups and individuals sponsored the remaining 1781 signs. Often more than one organization appears as a marker's sponsor.  Below is an incomplete list of  sponsoring organizations by category.


Bicentennial, Sesquicentennial, Tricentennial Comm.         33
Schools, Alumni Assoc.                                                         9
Veterans Organizations                                                           7
Fraternal and Civic Organizations                                        24
   (Hibernians,Women's Clubs, Elks, Masons, K of C, Polish Am. Citizens, Rotary, Kiwanis, Grange)
Special Interest                                                                        9
    (Canal Society, Catskill Fly Fishermen, RR Historians, Covered Bridge Soc, Telephone Pioneers)
Chambers of Commerce, Tourism                                          7
Cemetery Associations                                                            5
Churches                                                                                12
Bar Associations                                                                      3
Ad hoc Citizen groups                                                             3
      (Citizens of Cairo, People of Troy, Proud and Grateful Citizens of Auburn)
"Friends of... "                                                                          6
       (Champlain, Rose Hill, Schoolcraft Cultural Ctr., the Drowned Lands, the Store, etc.)
Daughters of the Am. Rev., Sons of the Am. Rev.                   9
Private Businesses                                                                    7
Historical Societies/Associations                                            69
Cities                                                                                         6
Counties                                                                                    5
Villages                                                                                   19
Towns                                                                                      68
Historians (county, town)                                                          7
Historic Preservation/Hist. Register                                          9
Families and Individuals                                                          34


*The role that each "sponsoring/producing" organization played naturally varied considerably, with some organizations underwriting a whole project, and others simply organizing fund raising activities.  The amount of involvement in the researching and authentication of facts presented on the marker also could vary tremendously. "State Ed" signs and the Pataki commission signs relied on local groups submitting applications to the state for approval. In some cases the vetting process was not unimpeachable.  Which bring us to the Marker of the Week!

The Tree that allegedly Grew from a Walking Stick sprouted along Mill Pt. Rd., Duanesburg, Schenectady Co.

Next Week-- I will be going in for eye surgery so NYSHM's--It Happened Here will be on hiatus until about the first week of May when I expect to return bright eyed and bushy-chined. Hope you will stop by!