Visiting the Livingston County Archives Part 1

 I recently visited the Livingston County Historian’s Archives to research The Castle on the Hill and collect memory aids for my oral histories. I would first like to thank the County Historian, Holly Watson, and Deputy Historian, Madeline Friedler. They both were extremely welcoming and willing to answer any questions I had. I had never done my own research at an archival repository, which was quite overwhelming at first. I am so thankful that Holly and Madeline helped me narrow my research scope down. When I arrived, they had pulled a large reference book, a research binder, and also pre-loaded digital photographs on a laptop for me. I looked mainly at the digital files, but the research binder also had some interesting information. I was especially interested in the Castle on the Hill photos from when the Landmark Society visited in 1989. The pictures showed the hotel deteriorating and vandalized. I had seen vandalism in the hotel before, but not this early, and also not documented formally. I also did not know that the hotel was in such a deep state of disrepair this early on.

1989 Landmark Society- Sanitarium roof, East and south elevations, looking NW, Courtesy of Livingston County Archives

1989 Landmark Society- Sanitarium first floor lobby, looking east, Courtesy of Livingston County Archives

I never knew that the Landmark Society visited The Castle on the Hill. I was unable to find the specific reason why the society visited, but I assume that it was to assess the viability of the site to become a landmark. The Castle on the Hill never became a landmark, and I am interested in learning more about this visit. 

This is one of the many exciting things I encountered at the archive, and my next post will share more of my thrilling finds in the next post! 

Click here to see the website and resources the Livingston County Archives provides!