Wbrgh. Historical Museum's artifacts now online

WARRENSBURG | Researchers of history and the general public now have an expanded ability to delve into the town of Warrensburg's history. Through the culmination of a substantial effort by members of the Warrensburgh Historical Society, the entire collection of the Warrensburgh Museum of Local History can now be reviewed online. The thousands of items that have either been on display or stored at the museum can now be examined virtually — particularly important now that the museum is closed this spring during the state-mandated closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The work, completed recently, was primarily accomplished by Warrensburg Museum of Local History Director Steve Parisi. This week, Warrensburgh Historical Society President Beth Kinghorn praised his work. "Steve has done an incredible job getting the entire museum collection online," Kinghorn said. Although the museum remains closed until Phase 4 of the state's NY Forward program arrives — likely within a few weeks — the public can still review the museum's photographs, documents and artifacts, Kinghorn said. She added that the society, confronted with the closure, opted to post the museum's collection as a resource for Warrensburg citizens and visitors. "No longer confined to seeing only what is on display or in seasonal exhibits, visitors to this new website can view virtually everything in the collection," she said. The Warrensburgh Museum of Local History opened in 1975 with Isabelle Cornell gathering artifacts contributed by local residents. She and others recorded information about the items in longhand. The museum closed in the early 2000s, but with a reborn historical society and support from the town government, a new initiative in preserving history was launched in 2004. Parisi and other local history enthusiasts began digitizing and organizing the museum's entire collection, as well as creating professional displays and accompanying interpretive materials. Among those assisting Parisi in this five-year effort were Peter Wood, Rosemary Maher, Rita Ferraro, Dana Westcott, John Hastings, Paul Gilchrist, Lenore Smith, Delbert Chambers and Sandi Parisi. The museum reopened in 2009, and since then Steve Parisi, members of the historical society and other volunteers have been collecting and exhibiting objects, photographs and archival material. Through these years, the museum's collection grew rapidly to more than 12,000 historic artifacts. The website can be accessed from a link on the historical society's website homepage at: www.whs12885.org or directly at: whs12885.pastperfectonline.com. Details may be obtained from Steve Parisi at 518-232-7349 or via email: parisi39@yahoo.com. Thom Randall can be reached at 518-744-9600 or via email: ThomRandall.news@yahoo.com.

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Wbrgh. Historical Museum's artifacts now online

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