Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County, NY

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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.


Slavery

New York state laws regarding Negro Slavery.[1]

  • 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.

Anti-Rent War in the hilltowns

Click above to go to the Anti-Rent War page

Hill towns during the Civil War

Even though it was not a battleground, the Civil War had a devastating effect on the hill towns. Hundreds of men from the hill towns volunteered to join the Union army and sacrificed the life or limbs in a cause in which they fervently believed. Click for Detals.


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."[2]

Upcoming events

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

Past events

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:

And for those who like to hike:

Local maps

Laura DeGaetano, Natural Resource Planner, Albany County Department of Economic Development, Conservation & Planning, has provided links to the following resources published by her office:

Hard copies of the maps are available at her office, 112 State St. Room 720, Albany, NY 12207; Tel. (518) 447-5670.

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 ]

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

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 ]

External Links

Further research

Rensselaerwyck Manor Papers in the NYS Library, Albany.

Albany Hilltown Companion sites

  • Helderberg Hilltowns - a blog to keep people up to date on the latest activities and postings on this site. It is an alternative for folks who do not want to join Facebook.
  • Albany County Hilltowns - A Facebook group is for folks interested in:
- History of the hill towns of Albany County and the people who lived there.
- Historic building preservation in the hamlets and countryside of the hill towns.
- Preservation of the farmland and scenic beauty.
- Promoting farms and farm activities.is a place for discussions this site and to keep informed of new developments on this site.

You don't have to be a member of FaceBook to visit the site and see what is happening. It is safe to visit.

Sources and Notes

  1. ↑ Altamont Enterprise, 8 May 1953
  2. ↑ Helderberg Escarpment Planning Guide

Description

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

Family Histories and Genealogy

Farms and Lots

Historic Homes

Churches

Cemeteries

Schools

Organizations

Regional organizations include:


Businesses

Hamlets and Communities

Photo Gallery

External Links

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