Crawford gears up for a celebration

By Nadine Cafaro
Posted 3/29/23

In 1823, Crawford was established as a town. Now, 200 years later, locals are prepared to celebrate what it’s become.

The Town of Crawford was originally part of the Town of Montgomery, …

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Crawford gears up for a celebration

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In 1823, Crawford was established as a town. Now, 200 years later, locals are prepared to celebrate what it’s become.

The Town of Crawford was originally part of the Town of Montgomery, with many early settlers migrating there [Crawford] for its farming potential. According to Crawford’s website, these settlers were mostly German, Dutch, Scottish and Irish, migrating from the Wallkill River area.

Legislator Robert C. Sassi, who represents the Towns of Crawford and Wallkill, mentioned he first thought to celebrate this year after discovering the town was established 200 years ago while reading up on local history. “I said to the supervisor, ‘Charlie, it’s too important of a year to let it go by. I think we should do something.’ So, that’s how it started and that was back probably in the fall. He agreed and I said, ‘Look, I’ll act as the historian, temporarily, just to have somebody there,” mentioned Sassi.

Sassi, a retired history teacher, has been acting as the town’s historian since longtime historian Joanne Keilor retired and moved out of town last year.

The celebration will take place on Friday, April 23 at the Town of Crawford Community Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be multiple speakers, of those including local Author and physical therapist Fritz Meier, who was born and raised in Crawford. He’s well known for his history book, Around Crawford (Images of America), which includes a collection of photos in or around Crawford.

Alex Prizgintas, an author, musician, historian and preservationist, will also be giving a lecture at the event.

The town will also be burying a time capsule. that will be opened in 2073.

“Billings Memorial, which is in town, is donating a marker that we’re going to designate [to] commemorating our bicentennial. Coincidentally, 50 years from this April 21 is also a Friday. April 21, 2073,” said Sassi.

There will also be a trivia quiz which Sassi developed, as well as many surprises that locals should be excited about.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the celebration of Crawford’s bicentennial. Sassi mentioned that he invited Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Brian Maher, as well as local officials and neighboring towns and villages.

“It’s come together beautifully,” Sassi mentioned in his final thoughts.