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Silver Bay YMCA is pleased to announce the dedication of a New York State Historic Marker honoring Benjamin Van Buren, a free black settler, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Morse Hall. The event will commence with a lecture by longtime Silver Bay member Liz Lastowski titled "Reclaiming Van Buren Bay: The History of Benjamin Van Buren" from 10:00 am to 10:45 am. 
 

Lastowski, a former part-time Van Buren Bay resident, will delve into the remarkable life of Benjamin Van Buren, who settled 161 acres on Lake George from 1847 to 1879. Her lecture will explore the struggle to retain Van Buren's legacy in the face of historical erasure, emphasizing the significance of reclaiming his name for the bay that bears it. 
 

"We are thrilled to host Liz Lastowski, whose dedication to help preserve Van Buren's history has been instrumental," said Lindsey Butler, vice president of sales and marketing at Silver Bay YMCA. "Her lecture promises to illuminate a vital chapter of our local history." 
 

Following the lecture, at 11:00 a.m., Silver Bay will unveil the New York State Historic Marker, generously funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, commemorating Benjamin Van Buren's legacy. Clifford Oliver, photographer and historical interpreter, will be part of the presentation. Thanks to the support of landowners Rich and Dawn Buchanan, the marker will be installed on Silver Bay Road and will serve as a permanent testament to Van Buren's contributions. 

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pomeroy Foundation for their generous grant, which made this historic marker possible," said Butler. "We also appreciate the Hague Historical Museum, the Warren County Historical Society, and Charles G. Gosselink for their invaluable contributions to the grant application." 

The public is invited to attend this significant occasion honoring a pioneer whose legacy resonates through generations.