THE HISTORY OF CLARKSVILLE EXHIBIT

Created and compiled by the Clarksville Historical Society, the hamlet of Clarksville and its history is the new featured exhibit at New Scotland Historical Association’s Museum.

The village of Clarksville was established as West Bethlehem on June 27, 1812, as it was once a part of the original Town of Bethlehem. When the Town of New Scotland was formed, the name was changed to Clarksville on April 16,1833, and named for Adam A. Clark who was the postmaster. At that time Clarksville was the largest village in the Town of New Scotland.

By the early 1800’s Clarksville was a busy way station on the Delaware Turnpike with hotels, blacksmith shops, wagon shops, saw and grist mills, general store, doctors, lawyers and a shirt factory.

Clarksville became popular as a summer vacation destination for people all over New York State.  The Clarksville Cave was a tourist attraction along with the many boarding houses that opened during the summer to offer city folk a chance to enjoy time in the country.

The Clarksville Historical Society exhibit has been developed to present the many aspects that made up the fabric of the community.

New Scotland Historical Association’s Museum is located at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center in New Salem on 7 The Old New Salem Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186.

Clarksville Historical Society’s Exhibit Committee:

Sandy Slingerland

Don Slingerland

Marilyn Miles