This document outlines the events and activities planned to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Palatine settlement in Germantown, New York in 1710. Over the course of several days in October 2010, there will be seminars on Palatine history, a gala concert, an archeological project, school programs, an Oktoberfest celebration, and the dedication of a commemorative plaque. The goal is to honor and educate the community about the origins and history of the Palatine settlers in Germantown through various academic, musical, cultural, and historical programs and events.

1. 300thAnniversary
Activities

2. An analemma is a piece of art
conceived by Dea Archbold and Kurt
Art: Analemma Holsapple, both of whom are
descendants of the first settlers of
Germantown in 1710.
This piece of art is created by
recording the spot where the tip of
the shadow of a twelve foot pole
falls at the same time of day for all
365 days of the year.

3. Seminar
•Hank Z. Jones; professional genealogist known for his
extensive work with Palatine genealogy.
•Rev. David J. Webber; genealogical research with
expertise in the history of Palatines to America.
•Philip Otterness; Professor of History and Political
Science, Warren Wilson College; Author of Becoming
German: The 1709 Palatine Migration to New York.
•Alice Clark; Palatine DNA project, will talk about findings
and future plans.

4. Music
Gala Concert
Reformed Church in Germantown
Sunday October 3, 2010, 3:00 PM
• Maestro Harold Farberman; composer/conductor and long-time
Germantown resident premieres a new concert work commissioned for
voice and instruments
• Donna Diehl, Conductor; 18th century hymns sung by the Southern
Columbia Community Choir
• Performances by other groups and soloists

5. History Preservation
• Oral histories; recorded interviews with Palatine descendants will be
available for viewing at the Germantown Library
• Reviewing church and history department documents
• Long-term cataloging project
• Digitizing pictures
• Lindner mapping project

6. Archeology Project
• Researcher Christopher Lindner, Ph.D., archaeologist in residence at Bard
College
• Archeological excavation of artifacts at the Maple Avenue Parsonage
• Artifacts are on display at the Germantown Library
• Field & lab school for students and teachers
• Exhibit designer, Scott Guerin

7. Germantown Library
The following Library activities/programs related to the
Parsonage archaeology project have been arranged.
• Monthly reports on progress.
•Public visits to the Parsonage, one when the Bard
anthropology department is at work
•Visits by groups of Germantown Central School students
•A slide presentation during the tricentennial celebrations about
archaeological research on our early history

8. Publications
• “Ginny’s Book”; publishing of a story of
early life in Germantown, written by
Virginia “Ginny” (Miller) Sherwood.
•Walter Miller’s “History of
Germantown” reprinted

9. 2010 Garden Club
Calendar has been
published

10. Commemoration of the Palatines
A memorial plaque commemorating the Palatines has been acquired. Dedication of
the plaque is scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd at the Germantown Parsonage.

11. Palatine Oktoberfest
• Friday, October 8th, 5-11pm ; A wagon parade down Main Street, honoring local
businesses, farmers, and GCS students. The early evening parade will end at Palatine
Park where participants can join in the Oktoberfest, enjoying plenty of food, cider,
perhaps a bonfire (NYS Permit pending) and music.
• Saturday, October 9th, 11 am to 11 pm; Oktoberfest continues at Palatine Park with
music, free tractor and horse drawn wagon rides, many displays, food vendors, crafters,
farm exhibits, petting zoo, fire displays, an evening teenage dance, rides, children's
games, sales, history exhibits, German food sales and fireworks.
• Sunday, October 10th, 11 am to 7 pm; Oktoberfest continues with
German Oompah Band, a visit from our friends at West Point Military Academy, and all
of the events from Saturday will continue. (less the teen dance and fireworks)
FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING
SEE YOU ALL AT PALATINE PARK; ALL WEEKEND
“WHERE THE HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS COME TOGETHER”

12. Germantown Central School Projects related to the
Palatine settlements of 1710
•Elementary Drama Production of a Palatine play on October 1st.
•Learning about life in 1710; passages from Ramsey/Miller book
•Discussions about Palatines
•“Then and Now” visual display; including maps, artistic works and essays
•Poetry writing on the Palatine topic
•Field trips to the Parsonage archeological dig
•Broadsides (one page newspapers) and dioramas depicting life in 1710
•Visual timeline of Germantown
•Palatine survey of family members; visit to the Parsonage History department
•And more, including music and art projects
Activities will generate projects to be displayed at the Palatine 300th Anniversary

13. Miscellaneous
• Banners for telephone polls have been hung
• Historical exhibit of Palatine family artifacts at the 300th
Information Center (Art Space in Germantown)
• History Photos to be projected on the salt garage wall
during the Oktoberfest.
• Tree Planting project – Boy Scouts
• Commemorative stamp cancellation honoring the 300th
Anniversary, available for a limited time.

14. • What is the Palatine Packet?
A newsletter published by the • Why the name “Packet”?
Germantown History Department and the
From the mid-17th century, boats or ships
Saugerties Historical Society to help
called “packet-boats” traveled regular routes
celebrate the 300th anniversary of the
between Europe and the New World.
landing of Palatine refugees.
• Where to find
the Palatine Packet
Current and back issues are distributed
online free through the web site;
www.germantownnyhistory.org
Mail copies are available through
subscription at the Packet’s bargain rate,
$10 for 300 years, by mailing a check to:
Packet Circulation, 129 East Camp Rd,
Germantown, NY 12526

15. Calendar of Germantown 300th Anniversary Events
Friday, October 1, 2010
Talks to students at Germantown Central School on Palatine history by
Henry Z. Jones, historian/genealogist, and David Jay Webber,
historian/Palatine descendant and GCS graduate.
Presentation of a Palatine play at Germantown Central School
Saturday, October 2, 2010
9am to 3pm with lunch break: Seminar at the Reformed Church in
Germantown on aspects of Palatine history and the arrival of the Palatines
in Germantown. Speakers:
Henry Z. Jones, David Jay Webber, Philip Otterness,
and Alice Clark
Reservation desk opens at 9:30 am.
3pm to 4:30pm: Seminar speakers available to discuss genealogy
with seminar participants

16. Sunday, October 3, 2010
8am to 9:15 am: 300th Anniversary breakfast, hosted by the
Christ Lutheran Church (Viewmont)
10am Ecumenical church service at the Christ Lutheran Church in
Viewmont celebrating the church’s 300th Anniversary
3pm Gala concert at the Reformed Church in Germantown
- Maestro Harold Farberman; Commissioned work for voice and
instruments based on church hymns
- 18th century hymns sung by the Southern Columbia Community
Choir, Donna Diehl, conductor
- Performances by other groups and soloists

17. Friday, October 8, 2010
Early evening: Wagon parade along Main Street of floats saluting local
businesses and organizations, farmers, and GCS students; ending at
Palatine Park with food and refreshments.
Kick-off of the Palatine Oktoberfest; including food booths, crafters,
music, community bonfire. Free admission and parking.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
11am Opening ceremony of Palatine Oktoberfest and Harvest Festival:
remarks by a distinguished guest followed by daylong family
activities, music, international foods, craft vendors,
demonstrations, dancing, free horse and tractor-drawn wagon rides,
and more. Free admission and parking.
Fireworks & Teen Dance to close the day
Sunday, October 10, 2010
11am Oktoberfest and Harvest Festival continues:
Previous day’s activities plus an oompah band; highlighted by a
visit from our friends at West Point Military Academy
7pm Closing ceremony

18. Germantown 300th Merchandise
• Sweatshirts • Ball caps
• Polo Shirts • Tote bags
• T-shirts • Buttons
Order forms available at
www.germantownnyhistory.org

19. For more information
Town Hall: 50 Palatine Rd
Germantown, NY 12526
518 537 6687 Ext.308
Committee: P.O.Box 63
Germantown, NY 12526
www.germantownnyhistory.org
Germantown 300th Committee
Nadine Rumke Chair
Larry Osgood Treasurer
Nan Eliot PR & Press
Power Point created by: Devin Overington