Page 6 - 2026 Orleans County Travel Guide

History

A
Heritage

OrLEANS COuNTy

Welcome to Orleans County! until fifty years after the Revolution, there are still significant
While Orleans County did not exist as a separate unit
links. Following the war, veterans moved westward to claim
hile still basking in the glow of the Orleans County their promised “bounty” rights. Many made their homes
WBicentennial celebrations in 2025, we are gearing in Orleans County and are buried in our cemeteries. In
up for another significant anniversary in 2026: the American neighboring counties, over forty Haudenosaunee villages
Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, seminal were destroyed in the Sullivan-Clinton campaign of 1779.
events which shaped the foundation of this nation. In 1979, the Orleans Chapter of the Daughters of the
In recognition of New York State’s pivotal role in American Revolution and the Orleans County Historical
the American Revolution, a 250th Commemoration Association published “Historic Sites in Orleans County,
Commission has been formed under the auspices of New York”. Written by Irene M. Gibson, this book details
the New York State Education Dept. to recognize this sites in the county which have historic connections with
anniversary. Funding will be dispersed to the counties to the Revolution and with the first twenty-five years of the
commemorate not only the events of the Revolution, but existence of the county. It will be a valuable guide as we
also, what is termed the “Unfinished Revolution”, the state’s plan for the year ahead.
ongoing efforts to achieve the principles of equality and Stay tuned for advertised events, several of the Towns
democracy espoused by the Declaration of Independence. already have plans in place.

Catherine Cooper
Scan the code for our
History & Heritage page Orleans County Historian
of our website.

One of the County Historian’s Bicentennial projects was to update
and publish the Historic Markers of Orleans County, NY book (left).
The previous edition was released in 2001. The 2025 guidebook
features 30 new markers. Books are available for sale at several
outlets throughout the County.

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