LETTER to the EDITOR: Working to keep the town’s history alive

Jul 17, 2019 Spotlight News Opinion, Your Opinion

To the Editor and the Bethlehem Community,

The Friends of the Slingerland Burial Vault wish to extend our thanks to everyone who made our recent event a success.

Despite the hot and humid evening, 50 people took our walking tour “A Visit with Slingerlands’ Founding Family.”

Actors Peter Crouse (William H. Slingerland), Brian Dollard (John I. Slingerland) and Rita Machin (Leah Britt Slingerland) brought their characters to life sharing their histories in a very personal way.

We raised funds and raised awareness about this unique historical feature in the hamlet of Slingerlands.

In other news, the Friends are pleased to announce that we have received a grant from the Albany County Legislature for $2,525 that has been matched by Sue and Frank Virgilio for a total of $5,050.

Many thanks to Bill Reinhardt and Frank Mauriello for sponsoring our grant request and to the Virgilio’s.

Sue is a direct descendant of the Slingerlands buried in the vault and an active member of the Friends.

For more information about our project to preserve the final resting place of this prominent family, please visit our website SlingerlandVault.org.

Again, many thanks to the Bethlehem community for their support!

Sincerely,

Susan Leath

PS: Photo information:

From left to right: Brian Dollard as John I. Slingerland, Rita Machin as Leah Britt Slingerland and Peter Crouse as William H. Slingerland.

Susan Leath

Bethlehem Town Historian and

Friend of the Slingerland Family Burial Vault