The Association of Public Historians of New York State presented this year’s Hugh Hastings Award to Denise Roe, Madison County clerk, on Sept. 15 at their annual state conference. This award is named in honor of the first New York State historian (1895-1907), and is given in recognition of Roe’s distinguished service to and support of the public history community of New York State.

The Madison County Clerk’s office has been awarded numerous grants to identify, sort, catalog and digitize historical documents held.  In addition, a website was established to share history and the indexes of holdings as well as some document images. Much of Madison County’s rich local history has been brought forth from obscurity, and this project continues.

The clerk’s office welcomes teacher and student groups and instructs them how to use these primary source documents on a regular basis. Projects result in growth of historical tourism from genealogists and researchers visiting from across the country, enhancement in communities’ pride, as well as documenting how Madison County residents have influenced national and world history.

“These projects take a team to accomplish — and they are such a talented, enthusiastic and valuable team — historian, records management coordinator, deputies and clerks. How can it get any better than to receive an award for something you are passionate about, is meaningful, helps others and connects people?” Roe said. “History shows us that if generations preceding us overcame polio, evil, built impossible canals and conquered space travel, we learn that we can persevere, overcome and reach for the stars successfully.”