Hamden Covered Bridge Dedication Held
Hamden, NY - July 28, 2001 - The celebration began at 10 a.m. with music by Robert Sprague, country songwriter and performer followed by the grand reopening ceremony. The day was filled with music by the Sidney Community Band, children's games, horse and wagon rides, antique cars, chicken BBQ, raffles, balloons and free ice cream. Featured was a performance of the Spoon River Anthology by the Little Victory Players.
Covered bridge enthusiasts [had] the opportunity to learn more about the Hamden Covered Bridge from the Hamden Community and Historical Association and to purchase covered bridge items from the many covered bridge organizations and crafters attending.
The bridge reopening ceremony began with a welcome by Wayne Marshfield, Town of Hamden Supervisor followed by an invocation by Rev. Bert Moore. The national anthem was sung by Ann Moody a covered bridge song by Robert Sprague. Master of Ceremonies, Robert Cairns introduced the speakers:
- Jim Eisel, Chairman of Delaware County Board of Supervisors
- Wayne Reynolds, Delaware County Commissioner of Public Works
- Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, 23rd Congressional District
- Senator John Bonacic, 40th Senatorial District
- Assemblyman Cliff Crouch, 122nd Assembly District
- Richard Wilson, New York State Covered Bridge Society
All mercifully brief.
The speeches were followed by congratulatory Remarks by:
- Richard Roy, National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges
- Joseph Nelson, Vermont Covered Bridge Society
- Thomas Walczak, The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania
Special Presentations were made by:
- Trish Kane - State and National Register of Historic Places Certificate
- The Murray Family and Town of Hamden - Donation of Covered Bridge Sign
- The Town of Hamden - Donation of Land by William Sunkenberg and family
- The Town of Hamden - Donation of Land by Canton Wheat and family
- Canton Wheat - Donation of Covered Bridge replica to Town of Hamden
- The Hamden Quilters - Donation of Quilt to Town of Hamden.
Photo by Joe Nelson
[Acknowledgements: Text taken from Hamden Covered Bridge Dedication booklet - Ed.]
