Wash.Cnty. Historical Soc. Membership Meeting and Historic Preservation Awards
October 24 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The 86th Annual Membership Meeting and Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony of the Washington County Historical Society will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 12:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m. at Wallie’s Restaurant at 54 Main Street in Greenwich, NY. Please join us in the Green Room from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Attendees will order and purchase their own meal from Wallie’s regular menu.
The Annual Business Meeting and Award Presentations will take place from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a review of committee reports, membership vote and approval of the proposed WCHS Nominations Slate and the 2027 Budget. Award Presentations will include the Cronkhite Award, Historic Preservation Awards and WCHS President’s Awards.
Immediately after the Annual Meeting, a special presentation, authored by Alec McMorris, will explore the rich military history of Salem’s citizens from 1754 to 1865, highlighting their service in major conflicts including the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, Shay’s Rebellion, the War of 1812, and the U.S. Civil War. It will detail the contributions of local figures such as members of Roger’s Rangers, Colonel John Williams, Major Joseph McCracken, and Sergeant Harris Smith Hawthorne, Salem’s first Medal of Honor recipient. The narrative will emphasize Salem’s unique legacy, tracing its founding to early military service and showcasing stories of heroism, sacrifice, and community defense. Through historical documents, maps, and personal accounts, the presentation will connect Salem’s past to its enduring spirit of service. There is no charge for the program. The approximate starting time will be 2:00 p.m. Donations are gladly accepted.
Alec McMorris was born and raised in Salem. He graduated from Salem Washington Academy in 1996 and earned a B.A. in History from the Virginia Military Institute in 2000. Alec retired from the U.S. Army in 2020 after 20 years of active-duty service. He then worked for three years as a contractor with the U.S. Department of State before returning to Washington County in 2023. Alec currently belongs to the American Legion’s Francis J. Clark Post 812 and the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Friends of the Bennington Battlefield. He is currently serving at the Vice-President of the Washington County Historical Society.
His history interests include local, U.S. Colonial, American and European military and Irish and Scottish history. Alec lives along the Vermont border in the town of White Creek with his wife Crystal