The Liberty Museum & Arts Center has been collecting and exhibiting items of historical interest, as well as promoting educational activities such as art classes, lectures, cultural programs, and programs designed for children. Membership is encouraged.
A Brief History of the Liberty Museum & Arts Center as told by former museum President Lee Parks
In the nick-of-time, before demolition was to begin, a plan was worked out to sell the historic Poellman Hotel building to the Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce for $1 dollar and to turn it over to a visionary group for renovation. As a part of a larger redevelopment plan for Main Street, the building would become The Liberty Museum and Arts Center.
The Building, built in 1894 as the modern Poellman Hotel, had seen periods of occupation by plumbing and heating retailers, a furniture store and last by Katz Bakery, a famous local institution. Long abandoned, the building was nearly irreparable with a collapsed roof and leaks everywhere. Into this dire challenge came this group of community minded citizens lead by Robert Dadras, Gene Barbanti and Ron Gozza. They organized volunteers to remove tons of debris, repair the roof and begin renovation. With a few grants as seed money and construction help from a Sullivan County BOCES building class, a miracle was underway. With dedication and much hard work a major portion of the building was completed. On Friday, June 25th, 1997 a Grand Opening ribbon cutting was celebrated at 46 South Main Street, which was temporarily closed for the occasion.
From the tentative beginnings, the Museum has anchored community efforts to restore and renovate Main Street. In 1997 Delbert VanEtten formed the Village Main Street Historic District with the encouragement of then mayor, Ida "Skippy" Frankel. With this recognition the village has continued to emerge as an example of downtown, Main Street redevelopment. New businesses have opened, clean-up is continuing, facades refurbished and plantings flourishing. At LaPolt Park a music and arts Pavilion was constructed which hosts a summer concert series, Shakespeare in the Park, as well as other attractions.
The Liberty Museum, as it is commonly called, has a dual mission of presenting creative arts as well as programs of local and regional history. Each year a members art show is held, attracting works of painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and fabrics from over forty area artists. A second gallery has been opened which showcases one and two person shows on a rotating basis.
The museum has been honored statewide for some of its outstanding productions of local and state historic themes. Examples of these are resorts of the Catskills, Main Street and the History of Route 17. Also featured were the Firemen's Show, Red Cross History and the work of Paul Gerry, a local photographer and music promoter.
The large front exhibition space is frequently used for concerts, such as the Bronx Opera Company, lectures, conferences such as the Preservation Conference and social gatherings and celebrations. A unique celebration is the lowering of the Liberty Bell from the roof of the three story building at midnight on New Years Eve.
The historic building that houses the museum is a fitting site for this organization. Other than a few state and county grants, the museum is supported by its membership. Fundraising is a constant challenge to the Board of Directors and friends of the museum. Whether you are interested in art or history, or perhaps just want to be part of Liberty's revitalization, your help is welcome. The Liberty Museum & Arts Center is open Wednesday through Saturday, from noon until 4 PM and admission is free. For additional information about membership and volunteering, call (845) 292-2394.
