JOHNSTOWN — A documentary film about making of the Great Sacandaga Lake is due for a Nov. 25 public premiere, Fulton County Historian Samantha Hall-Saladino informed county supervisors.
In her recent monthly report to the county, Hall-Saladino said the location to show “Harnessing Nature: Building the Great Sacandaga” hadn’t been worked out yet.
“One of the big things coming up is the Sacandaga documentary,” she said. “We’re really excited about this.”
For the first time, a documentary is being developed to chronicle both technical aspects and the human impact of creating the Great Sacandaga Lake reservoir.
The now-recreational lake, located in the Adirondack State Park, is primarily in Fulton and Saratoga counties with a small part in Hamilton County. It covers large swatches in the towns of Broadalbin, Northampton and Edinburg. Discussion about building a reservoir began in the 19th Century, but actual reservoir creation didn’t occur until the early 20th century. Funding for the reservoir was approved in 1924 by the Hudson River Regulatory District, an entity authorized by the state Legislature.
Elsewhere in her report:
∫ Hall-Saladino said about 60 people attended the Oct. 7 Harvest Festival at the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville. She said attendance wasn’t bad considering two other events in downtown Gloversville that day – Witches Jamboree and Bacon Jam. She said the Harvest Festival started with a walking tour of the historic Kingsborough area of the city. She said the event also featured an alpaca, pumpkin painting, flower pressing with the Kingsboro Garden Club, and a book store booth.
The Mayfield Grange hosted a pumpkin and sunflower contest as part of the festival.
∫ Residents of the Fulton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare heard Hall-Saladino speak Sept. 30. She spoke about immigration in Fulton County through the years. On Oct. 16, she presented a lecture on the history of the Sacandaga Reservoir to a history class at the state University of New York at Albany.
Hall-Saladino said she and Saratoga County Historian Lauren Richards were asked to reprise their “Spirits of the Sacandaga” lecture series on Oct. 18. She said she also spoke Oct. 23 at SUNY Albany about the role of a county historian.
∫ She attended the Capital Region Archives’ annual dinner Oct. 3 in Albany. She said she learned of possible grant opportunities.
∫ Hall-Saladino has been asked to serve as a commentator on a Researching New York panel Nov. 16-18 at SUNY Albany.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
