Schuylerville, NY – The communities along the upper Hudson Rivers are getting a new regional visitors center. On Monday, government and non-profit members of an organization called the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership announced that Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner helped secure state funding to complete the Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center in Schuylerville, NY. The acquisition of these funds will allow the visitors center to begin full operations.
Established by a statue in New York State Environmental Conservation Law, the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership created a “state reserve” embracing the communities along the Hudson and Hoosic Rivers in Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Washington County. The “Partnership” is constructing the visitor’s center as a regional hub for supporting local agriculture, outdoor recreational opportunities, cultural attractions, and promoting regional heritage. It highlights the region’s vast history, with attention to the themes of the Champlain Canal and the American Revolution.
The visitors center opened in May 2021 with limited operations due to lack of electricity and plumbing, but the exhibits were installed and volunteers from the three county region welcomed visitors. Funding through the New York State Economic Development Program, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, was made possible by Assemblywoman Woerner, and will allow the Partnership to complete the building’s exhibit space with visitors facilitates.
“The Partnership is a unique organization bringing together dozens of municipalities in the common interest of preserving, understanding, and explaining the history of this area,” said Assemblywoman Woerner. “The benefits of the new Visitors Center were obvious to me this summer when I volunteered there. It truly is a “gateway” to accessing and learning about the lessons of our shared rivers and allowing visitors and residents alike to experience the context of significant historic events, or just learn about the many activities available to enjoy the rivers and the associated communities.”
The announcement was made this past Monday at the Annual Meeting of the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership. The organization is run by a board of twelve with membership made up of representatives of the Assembly, Senate, and Governors offices, Town Supervisors, Mayors, and regional non-profits. The Partnership has many accomplishments, including the restoration of Dix Bridge as a multi-modal trail connector and the development of the Saratoga Surrender Site.
“I was delighted to assist the Historic Hudson Hoosic Rivers Partnership to obtain funding for the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center in Schuylerville!” Assemblywoman Woerner continued. “The Partnership is a successful example of collaboration between municipal entities and not for profit organizations with the common goal of developing tourist opportunities in the context of protecting the natural and cultural heritage. I look forward to supporting their future endeavors!”