Guilderland Historical Society Meeting and Presentation

The Guilderland Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at the Guilderland Public
Library on April 17, 2025, beginning at 12:30pm. The public is welcome to attend.
There will be a short business meeting followed by a presentation at approximately
1:15pm by Doug Cornwell. Doug is an associate member and a longtime volunteer of
the Altamont Fair. Doug’s presentation will be about racing at the Altamont
Fairgrounds. The oval at Altamont Fairgrounds has seen a lot of uses and brought a lot
of thrills. From its first harness horse race in 1893 to the beginning of its automobile
racing years starting in 1910. So, come learn about harness racing at the Fairgrounds
as well as its years as a draw for automobile racing fans. For example, did you know
that Lee Wallard, the winner of the 1951 Indianapolis 500, was from Altamont and is
buried at nearby Prospect Hill Cemetery? There will be many pictures offered as well
as stories of Lee and several of the other racing competitors and events throughout the
years. The Guilderland Historical Society is an active group. One sign of that is that the
Society has secured 10 new historical markers between the years 2023 to 2025. There
are at least two more in the works.