It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing on August 2, 2021, of Jacob Leisler Institute founding trustee, trustee emeritus, and former treasurer Ruth Piwonka. In addition to the Jacob Leisler Institute, Ruth served as executive director of the Columbia County Historical Society, executive director of the Columbia Land Conservancy, and was on the board of many historical organizations including the Friends of Lindenwald and Historic Cherry Hill. For many years she was the town …
Jacob Hill Park joins the Institute
The Jacob Leisler Institute welcomes Jacob Hill Park to our team. Mr. Park is a student at Columbia-Greene Community College. Over the past several months he has been aiding in the cataloging of the Institute’s growing books, manuscripts, and print and map collections, and more recently in assisting in other capacities. He is proving to be a most valuable asset to our organization. …
Ruth Piwonka Recognized
On April 29 Ruth Piwonka received a certificate as Jacob Leisler Institute Trustee Emeritus, presented by Institute Director David William Voorhees on behalf of the Board of Trustees, in recognition of her many years of dedicated service. The physical presentation of the certificate had been delayed since the Annual Board Meeting in August 2020 due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. Thank you Ruth for all your years of service and continuing support. …
Spring ’21 Intern
The Jacob Leisler Institute welcomes Madison Haydon as a 2021 Spring semester intern. Ms. Haydon is a student in the History Department at SUNY New-Paltz specializing in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. We are delighted to have Madison on our team. …
Fall Intern
The Jacob Leisler Institute welcomes Fall intern Aiven Palafox to our team. Mr. Palafox is a student in the History Department at SUNY New-Paltz. He will be our first virtual intern. …
New Trustee – Noah Gelfand
The Board of Trustees of the Jacob Leisler Institute unanimously elected Dr. Noah L. Gelfand as a Trustee at its annual meeting on August 29, 2020. Dr. Gelfand is Doctoral Lecturer of History at Hunter College. During Doctoral studies in Atlantic History at New York University, he served as a student intern with the Jacob Leisler Papers Project, the forerunner of the Institute. …