On May 31, 2008, the new Montgomery Village Museum officially opened its doors with a special celebration.
The museum's establishment was driven by the dedication and vision of then Village Historian Marion Wild. Marion tirelessly sought a suitable venue to showcase the numerous artifacts she had collected over the years. Her efforts paid off when she secured Wesley Hall, a building with a rich history dating back to 1828 when it was originally constructed as a Methodist Church and later repurposed as the Senior Center.
With the support of numerous volunteers, Marion devoted countless hours to planning and relocating the museum from its previous home in Village Hall. Their hard work and commitment have created a space where the village's history can be preserved and appreciated by all.
Village Historian:
Brian Fitzpatrick
Appointment: April 2019
142 Clinton Street
Montgomery, NY 12549
(845)457-7576
Hours: Saturday, 3 - 6 pm
and weekdays by appointment
Meet Village Historian Brian Fitzpatrick
Brian’s retired from the US Postal Service as a Career Executive in 2009. During his tenure he was responsible for business development, and retail operations in the New York Metro Area. Over the years, additional responsibilities included public information officer, government liaison for several congressional districts, and numerous employee involvement programs. Brian is a graduate of Marist College with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Communications.
Brian is a self-proclaimed workaholic. His wife Charlene and his museum partner often says, “he doesn’t know how to relax … his mind never stops.” So, consistent with his nature, within a few weeks after Brian’s postal service retirement in 2009, he began his second career with a part-time position at Winding Hills Golf Club which eventually lead to his appointment as the Club’s General Manager. Since that time, Brian has maintained a continual level of involvement with village events and fostered a network of volunteers and business supporters. In 2018 Brian was named Village Grand Marshal for the 2018 General Montgomery Day.
Some of Brian’s activities in the village included: the 2010 bi-centennial historic golf outing (his very first event), the Bandstand Construction Committee, President of the famous Breakfast Club (a position he jokingly says he can’t give away, because nobody wants it), the summer concert series, March with Us Memorial Day Program, Clinton Street Car Show, Old Fashion Holiday Christmas, founding member of the St. Pat’s Ramble, various Veterans activities, and the annual Copper Bowl Golf Outing. Also, during his retirement, Brian has served as a member of the Village Planning Board, President of the Town of Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, and the Orange County Board of Ethics from 2012 to 2014, a position to which he was appointed by County Executive Diana. For the past few years, Brian has also worked part-time at Stony Ford Golf Club. In 2019 Brian was recruited to serve on the Village Mater Plan Committee and passionately dedicated to the Downtown Revitalization Agenda.
Brian’s loyalty, passion, and vision for the future of this Village never ceases. His strong connections with others in the community, including Village staff, the Police department, the Department of Public Works and town and county leaders are what makes a difference in the success of his many activities.
Brian who fell in love with the Village of Montgomery and continues to dedicate himself to making it the picture-perfect place to raise our families or enjoy a visit for a day.
