Local residents and visitors alike know that the end of August means one thing – the Columbia County Fair is back. For 183 years, the county fair has been a place of meeting, celebration, competition, education, and community.
Let’s turn the clock back and look at the history of the Columbia County Fair.
Community and competition
Local farmers and other prominent citizens are meeting in Hudson, New York, and form the Columbia County Agricultural Society. Their goal was to “improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, manufacturees, and domestic economy.
In pursuit of this goal, the first ever Columbia County Fair was held on October 12, 1841 in the city of Hudson, NY. Featured events included competition classes for assorted livestock and cheese and butter, and manufacturing classes including flannel, linen, and silk, as well as “best plough”.
A move to Chatham, a wide road, and some acreage
In 1852, the fair was held for the first time in Chatham Four Corners, on September 29-30. “Chatham Four Corners” is the area we now know as Chatham Village, which wasn’t incorporated as such until 1869. With passenger and freight trains running through the village, it made a very convenient location for the fair.
The fair was held on Park Row, at this time, a wide roadway with only about 3 buildings on it. It wasn’t until the 1860s that there was significant growth along this road.
Park Row was used as a town park and to host baseball games and visiting circuses (later, in the early 1860s, it was used as a space for Civil War drills).
In 1856, the Columbia County Agricultural Society purchased a 15 acre plot of land in Chatham Four Corners. The society paid a mere (by modern standards) $175 per acre. And thus, the space we know today as the Columbia County Fairground was born.
The fair became known as a place to meet, engage in friendly competition, and enjoy recreation and education. Over the years, the society added permanent structures to the grounds, harness racing became a popular event at the fair, and rides and games became a regular part of the offerings.
Improving the fairgrounds
Over time, the fair board took various steps that helped build the fairground into that which we recognize and enjoy today.
In 1870, the fair board purchased and planted $60 worth of shade trees throughout the grounds. Many of these trees stand today, providing a welcome break from the summer sun.
In 1881, the grandstand was built, with an admittance fee of 15 cents per day. 1884 saw the addition of the exhibition hall and octagon buildings (still standing today). With the popularity of harness racing in mind, in 1898, a half mile race track was built in front of the grandstand to allow visitors to view races from start to finish.
Over the years, the society purchased parcels of vacant land to expand the fairground. In 1966, the fair board purchased 23 acres of vacant land. This brought the fairground’s total space to the current 55 acres. A second admission gate was then built.
In 1969, the society chose to open the fair on Thursday to avoid a glut of “free previews”. It struggled with people crowding the fairground before it opened to the public to get an early look at the year’s offerings.
The fair is now 6 days long, spanning Labor Day weekend. Though the fair benefits from modern equipment and welcomes popular entertainment, the charm and tradition of the original agricultural country fair is alive and well.
For more information on the history of the Columbia County Fair:
1) visit the official website at columbiafair.com for a history written by Clifford Hodge, 25th Secretary of the Columbia County Fair and Agricultural Society
2) purchase Images of America: Around the Village of Chatham by Gail Blass Wolczanski from your favorite book retailer for photos of the fair throughout the years and in-depth village history
Celebrating the charm that’s Chatham
While the slogan of Chatham Village Historical Society may be “saving the charm that’s Chatham,” we’re equally passionate about celebrating the charm that’s Chatham!
In addition to celebrating the charm that’s Chatham, Chatham Village Historical Society is celebrating 30 years!
To celebrate, we’re offering a special, limited edition unisex t-shirt design, available only through mid-September.
Order yours HERE.
We’ve chosen a fun design with a nod to the Columbia County Fair, celebrating 183 years of agricultural history along with 30 years of CVHS history.
All funds raised from t-shirt sales go towards the care and maintenance of the Blinn-Pulver Farmhouse grounds and the CVHS artifacts stored on the property.
Find this and other CVHS goodies at the SHOP tab at the top of this website.
Be sure to visit Chatham Village Historical Society at the Columbia County Fair, August 28-September 1 in the Heritage Barn. Wear your CVHS 30th Anniversary shirt, and receive a free raffle ticket for our gift basket ($200 value)!
– Ilana, on behalf of Chatham Village Historical Society