Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County, NY

Hilltowns Panorama

"The Helderberg Hilltowns" is a local term for the four towns, (Rensselaerville, Berne, Knox, and Westerlo,) in the hills of western Albany County, New York above the Helderberg Escarpment, the northern most part of the Allegheny Plateau.

"Below the hill" is a local term for the eastern half of Albany County below the Helderberg Escarpment where the "Flatlanders" live. This land is in the Hudson River Valley.

HISTORY

Helderberg Hilltowns - Arcadia Press

Helderberg Hilltowns - an illustrated history is available now. Visit www.BeebeFarm.info to order signed copies with a dedication of your choice. See Pictures tell the stories of the four Helderberg Hilltowns from the July 12, 2012 Altamont Enterprise.

FORMATION OF THE HILL TOWNS

From 1790 - 1795 the four hill towns were one; all part of the newly formed Town of Rensselaerville.

NOTE: Click on the name of your favorite hill town to go directly there.

• Rensselaerville - formed in 1790 from part of the Town of Watervliet. At that time it included all of what are now the Towns of Berne, Knox, and Westerlo. In 1795 the northern part of the town became the new Town of Berne. Additional territory was taken from the eastern part of the town upon the formation of the Town of Westerlo in 1815.
• Berne - formed in 1795 from the northern part of Rensselaerville. In 1822 the northern half of the town became the new Town of Knox.
  
• Westerlo - formed in 1815 from the western part of the Town of Coeymans and eastern part of the Town of Rensselaerville.
  
• Knox - Knox was formed in 1822 from the northern half of Berne.
  

Maps

Maps of the Hilltowns date back 250 years. Click here for more information.

History

Town sites have many links to local histories. Other reference books cover the entire Hilltowns. Click here for more information.

Military History

All the Hilltowns had volunteers for all the wars and are proud of their military histories. Some wars, like the Anti-rent Wars were local and common to all the Hilltowns. Click here for more information.

Family Histories and Genealogy

Hilltown Family Histories and Genealogy provides details beyond the usual genealogy chart. Visit www.BerneHistory.org for complete genealogies of most Hilltown residents. Click here for more information.

Farms and Lots

Hilltown Farms and Lots mirror the history of the people and area. Click here for more information.

Historic Homes

Hilltown historic homes range from grand estates to humble homes. Click here for more information.

Churches

Hilltown churches formed and often merged, divided, and disbanded, so tracking churches can be a challenge. Click here for more information.

Cemeteries

Hilltown cemeteries range from tiny, hidden family plots to huge cemeteries. Click here for more information.

Schools

Hilltowns had numerous one-room schools scattered to be near population centers. school. In 1932 Berne and Knox joined the form the Berne-Knox Central School District. Westerlo joined later the make the Berne-Knox-Westerlo or BKW. Click here for more information.

Organizations

Hilltown organizations united residents and provided services the made life in the Hilltowns more enjoyable. Click here for more information.

Businesses

Hilltown businesses have changed over time as technology and resources changed. Click here for more information.

Hamlets and Communities

Each of the four Hilltowns covers a large area. Early settlers joined together to create small hamlets, villages, communities, and just groups of houses. Click here for more information.

Photo Gallery

Hilltown photos record the people, places, and things through out the years. Click here for more information.

External Links

External Links to other web sites can bring you to valuable sources of information. Click here for more information.

Slavery

New York state laws regarding Negro Slavery.

• The emancipation of slaves by the Quakers was legalized in 1798. At that date there were still about 33,000 slaves in the state.
• On March 29, 1799, an act was passed for the gradual abolition of slavery in New York. Any child

born of a slave after July 4th was to be free at the age of 25 if a girl and 28 if a boy.

• In 1817 an act was passed providing for the emancipation of all slaves in 1827 — 36 years before National Emancipation.

FOR VISITORS

"One of the greatest assets of the Helderberg Escarpment region is its attractiveness for outdoor recreational use. Its scenic vistas and natural surroundings provide the environment for a number of recreational activities."

Upcoming events

• Upcoming events for visitors who want to know what is coming up when they "Head for the Hills."
• Upcoming Events of Special Interest to Hill Town Residents.

Those who wish to post upcoming events on these pages are urged to do so themselves.

Past events

• Researching Your Hilltown Ancestors - September 25, 2010 - Octagon Barn, Knox, NY
• HHA promotes local history and products - October 17, 2010 - Berne Fire Department Roast Beef Dinner, Berne, NY

Visitor attractions and facilities

To make it easier for visitors who want to "Head for the Hills," their are now separate pages of visitor attractions and facilities for each of the hilltowns:

• Berne visitor attractions and facilities.
• Knox visitor attractions and facilities.
• Westerlo visitor attractions and facilities.
• Rensselaerville visitor attractions and facilities.

And for those who like to hike:

• Hill town trails

FOR FUN

• Then and Now - a series of images of buildings and locations in the Hilltowns comparing and old photo with a current image of the same scene.

[ Berne ] [ Knox ] [ Westerlo ] [ Rensseleaerville ]

• Antique Motor Vehicles - identify the make, model, and year of the the old vehicles.
• Helderberg Landscapes - showing the beauty of the Albany hill towns.

FOR HILL TOWNERS

Helderberg Hilltowns Association

Helderberg Hilltowns Association - promoting the economic development of the Helderberg Hilltowns

General ideas for towns, farms and other businesses

To move towards these goals, this site is encouraging visitors to Head for the Hills - the Helderberg Hilltowns as an inexpensive and close-by alternative to New England. Visitors will spend money, and thus boost the local economy and hopefully slow development and subdivision of farm land.

Upcoming events

• Upcoming Events of Special Interest to Hill Town Residents
• Upcoming events for visitors who want to know what is coming up when they "Head for the Hills."

Promoting the hill towns

Proposals to promote the hill towns has ideas for towns, farmers, and other businesses to promote themselves to folks from below the Helderbergs who want to visit the hill towns.

Specific proposals

Here are farther suggestions for farmers and businesses: [ Berne ] [ Knox ] [ Westerlo ] [ Rensselaerville ]

Sources and Notes

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