About Us:
Historic Altamont, Inc. is a volunteer based, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in August 2018 to preserve and protect the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of Village of Altamont. We are dedicated to promoting the unique historical, cultural, and natural heritage of the village of Altamont and the scenic Helderberg area.
Nestled at the base of the Helderberg Escarpment, Altamont is unique in Albany County for its abundance of Victorian homes, all connected by sidewalks to a picturesque and walkable downtown center. Directly adjacent to the village are the historic tri-county Altamont Fairgrounds, home to the annual Altamont Fair, as well as seasonal festivals and special events. Perched above the village sits the limestone scenic overlook of High Point Cliff, part of the John Boyd Thacher State Park, recently designated a National Natural Landmark.
Winding through the park is the Long Path, a long-distance and day-hiking trail stretching from New York City to the local area and continuing to the Adirondacks. Village parks and the nearby preserves of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy provide extensive access to nature and outdoor recreation, including hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, caving, hang-gliding, and biking.
Protecting and enhancing our scenic and historic sites, open spaces, and recreational opportunities are vital ingredients to an attractive and accessible quality of life in and around Altamont. These assets are also key to attracting tourism and encouraging the growth and retention of local businesses.
Our Mission:
- To act as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, citizen-based charitable corporation to preserve and protect the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Village of Altamont;
- To promote the area’s distinctive natural environment situated at the base of the Helderberg Escarpment and the National Natural Landmark of John Boyd Thacher
State Park; - To support historical research and the dissemination of historical information related to Altamont, Knowersville, Helderberg Hilltowns, and the Indigenous communities that once inhabited our region;
- To work in collaboration with other community stakeholders striving to maintain the village’s distinctive heritage and its unique natural surroundings.
Helderberg Greenway Initiative:
Historic Altamont supports the conservation of green space around the village through an initiative known as the Helderberg Greenway. The Greenway encompasses both existing and future preserved lands, extending from public lands atop the Helderberg Escarpment to green spaces encircling the village of Altamont, and extending along the Bozenkill Gorge. The vision is to create a six-mile public corridor surrounding the Village of Altamont, offering spectacular scenery and the potential for walking & recreation trails that connect and enrich the community.
News & Events:
News
Historic Altamont plans a pavilion to welcome Long Path hikers at the end of the trail
Hale-Spencer, M. Altamont Enterprise, October 19, 2023
Bring the Long Path home to Altamont
Hale-Spencer, M. Altamont Enterprise, November 27, 2024
https://altamontenterprise.com/11272024/bring-long-path-home-altamont
‘A labor of love’: Bourque maps Altamont’s history online
Hale-Spencer, M. Altamont Enterprise, January 22, 2025
https://altamontenterprise.com/01222025/labor-love-bourque-maps-altamonts-history-online
Events
*Historic Altamont has been invited to participate in the Altamont Memorial Day Parade. This event will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 2pm. Following the parade, there will be a Wreath Laying Ceremony by the American Legion and VFW at Orsini Park. The Altamont Fire Department and Stewart’s have generously donated hot dogs and ice cream! Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy a lovely day in the park! Please join us for this family-friendly event.
* Trail Planning community-wide open house … Stay tuned – time and date to be announced
Initiatives:
Trail Network Plan
A Trail Network Plan for the Altamont area will focus on coordinating existing hiking and walking trails and potential locations for future trails in and around the surrounding
area.
Trail Hub Kiosk
A Trail Hub Kiosk will be built in a central village location to provide information about walking/hiking trail options. The kiosk will mark the official northern terminus of the Long Path and serve as a trailhead to encourage a steady influx of visitors to the area and promote recreational tourism.
Online Tour
ArcGIS Story Maps interactive maps with multimedia content and text will help viewers learn about historical sites, parks, and preserves in Altamont and the surrounding area, including hiking trails, history trails, and bird-watching sites.