Woodbury Historical Society will host open house Sunday

Officials to unveil the installation of 150+ inscribed bricks in Remembrance Garden Central Valley — The Woodbury Historical Society’s Gatehouse Historic Site & Learning Center will host an open house on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., to celebrate the installation of new inscribed bricks in the Remembrance Garden. There are now more than 150 memorialized tributes to friends, families, organizations and events important to the many supporters of the Gatehouse. The afternoon also will be a tribute to volunteerism in Woodbury, irrespective of age. One significant volunteer was a 13-year old young man, intrigued by the project, who worked more than 25 hours, mostly on his hands and knees, cleaning the bricks and weeding between them. Despite the heat, volunteers worked to enhance the already beautiful Gatehouse area. Many years ago, another young man who grew up on old Route 6, now Estrada Road, spent many hours following the original path of the once vital path necessary to transport military equipment over the mountains during the Revolutionary War. This road served as a state highway until the “new Route 6” was completed in the mid 20th century. As he traveled the now abandoned route, he photographed many land marks and has preserved them in an album and on DVD. Several volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide details of this once treacherous journey over the mountain. At 3 p.m. (weather permitting), the guests will gather in the Remembrance Garden for refreshments and an opportunity to socialize. In the event of inclement weather, the program will move inside the Gatehouse. As a reminder, the Remembrance Garden is always open to the public. Follow the bluestone path at the right of the Gatehouse back to the atrium. The open house is free and open to the public. The Gatehouse is located at 224 Smith Clove Road at Pine Hill Road in Central Valley, next to Falkirk Golf Course. A peak at the future Next year, 2012, will mark the 100th anniversary of the completion of “Proctoria” and the building of the Gatehouse. The Gatehouse Committee will prepare a yearlong celebration with various events. If you would like to share copies of old photographs, diaries, family histories, etc. for the exhibits, please e-mail dorothymorris0@gmail.com or 928-6378.