richmond pond history book project

The History of Richmond Pond

A proposed book project of the Richmond Historical Commission

with support from the Richmond Pond Association

Major components:

· Introduction, including History of Richmond Pond Association & Richmond Historical Commission

· Geology, Typography, the Pond & its Tributaries

· Local Native American history; early history of Richmond (maps, deed references); Shaker community

· First cottages & early evolution of camps & communities

· Raising the pond; the dam (1865), submerging the county road that crossed the pond

· Richmond town beach(es); recent enhancements

· Boat launch (1970’s); state-owned but Town-managed; recent enhancements

· Pond health, Diagnostic Feasibility Study, septic systems/sewer system; inlet dredging; monitoring of beaches & tributaries

· Weed management efforts; protection measures from other invasives

· The fishery; native & introduced species, with history of fish stocking; other wildlife

Old times:

· The railroads (narrow gauge & regular), & their historic local uses, including ice harvesting

· Pontoon planes during WW II; Truran’s boat rental service

· Legends – Ghost stories - The Green Hand; Prohibition activities; others… 

History of the current & former camps:

· Camp Allegro (girls camp); now Lakeside Christian Camp & Conference Center 

· Camp Russell (on the former Branch Farm); initially boys only & overnight; now coed day camp 

· Camp Bluebird & Women’s Club of Pittsfield; Camp Marion White (Girl Scouts); its breakwater; failed Town Park effort; now privately owned

Each community association:

· Branch Farm (history of Branch Farm; Boys Club role; condominium format)

· Whitewood (initially Truran’s cottages)

· Richmond Shores (Lakeside Co., development began 1948)

· South Pond Farm Condominiums (from Scace property; Town & RPA role in limiting its parameters)

Recent developments:

· Tracy Brook Wildlife Sanctuary; hosting The Josh in 2018; Balderdash Cellars Winery; nesting bald eagles, closing of several of its camps…

PROPOSED CONCEPT – A “collector’s” history book with photos, reasonably priced (likely $20.00), to be developed & published, with primary editor yet to be determined; printer for the book has been tentatively selected. Financial/marketing plan is drafted but is yet to be fully developed; RPA would sell advertising/sponsorships, & the RPA would provide the “front money” for publishing, to be at least partially reimbursed by book sales.

PROJECT GROUP - Gloria Morse, Ken Kelly, Holly Stover, others

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - The staff of the pond’s current & former camps & the officers of the four pond community associations are asked to provide summaries of their histories & interesting anecdotes, in Word format, & photos, for possible inclusion.  Please submit them to Ken Kelly at: kkelly@utica.edu.