Greetings from the Governor

[This letter is from the Schenectady County Sesquicentennial Historical Souvenir Program, published in 1959 by the Schenectady Commemorative Committee, Inc. The Schenectady County Public Library has copies in its Schenectady Collection [Schdy R 974.744 S3245] and others available for borrowing.]

[photo of governor]

GREETINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR

STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
ALBANY
NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER, GOVERNOR

It is a happy coincidence that the 150th Anniversary of the day of the year when Schenectady officially became a county coincides with our Year of History, the 350th Anniversary of the Exploration of Henry Hudson and the discovery of Lake Champlain.

Schenectady County is a community of which all people in New York are proud. Their many examples of quaint Dutch Colonial and early American Architecture are among our most interesting historic landmarks.

It did not take Schenectady long to become prosperous. In 1661 Arendt Van Corlaer bought a tract from Indians for which he paid "600 hands of good Whyte Wampum, six Koates of Duffels, 30 Barres of Lead, and nine Bagges of Powder." Incidentally, this was more than Peter Minuet paid for Manhattan Island. Two decades later the settlement had the name of being the richest in the colony.

We are all proud of Schenectady today not merely because it was one of the great manufacturing centers of the State, a home of many distinguished scientists and of Union College, but because it is a place of culture, with 132 churches of all denominations and fine libraries and schools.

My cordial greetings to the people of Schenectady. May the County grow in the decades to come as it has in the past.

Nelson A. Rockefeller
Governor

July 28, 1959

Updated 3/29/01

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