Afton, NY
Historian needed
The Town and Village of Afton are seeking applications for a Historian. Historians have the responsibility of research, gathering and evaluating evidence, and an advocate for historic preservation.
Apply at the Town of Afton Clerk's Office at 204 County Rd 39, Afton, NY 13730 during regular office hours.
Phone 607-639-1071
Afton, established 1892 - settled 1786, is located in Chenango County
along the Susquehanna River. It lies equidistant between the cities of
Oneonta and Binghamton along the Interstate 88 corridor. The latitude of
Afton is 42.228N, and the longitude is -75.526W. The elevation is 1,001
feet. The name Afton came from the Scottish poem, "Afton Water" by
Robert Burns, and was suggested by Joseph Bennett Chafee. Afton proudly
features a great school, public library, Community Center, youth sports
organization, supportive community groups like the Afton
Sertoma Club, and the Afton VFW.
Anchoring the village are several churches, a resident health center, a
golf course, a full compliment of stores and restaurants, as well as
proximity to state and county parks.
A visitor to this Central New York town, can find a museum, green spaces
and many attractions in all seasons. The Afton Golf Course is one of the
earliest in the area to open and brings many players to Afton. With its
rich history, Afton has a thriving Historical Society, chartered in
1986, with a Museum offering many interesting and educational exhibits
and programs. Site-seers often wish to visit the famous Mormon House
and the old Universalist Church building built in 1819. (The Mormon
House is where the Mormon Church founder, Joseph Smith and Emma Hale
were married in 1827.) The Afton Free Library, founded in 1933, has very
attractive space in the Jack Bolster Community Center, which also houses the
Village of Afton offices and the Susquehanna Room for public meetings.
Foster Park is a welcome location to picnic, read a book or simply enjoy
the outdoors in peaceful, beautiful surroundings. Summer brings lots of
outdoor activities like Little League games at Davey's Field and weekly
stock car races held at the Afton fairgrounds. The greatly anticipated
Afton Fair in July and the Arts and Crafts Show in August are its
biggest events drawing many visitors.
With a population of 836, the village is home to several growing
production and service industries. On the spiritual side, there are
seven churches in the town: two Methodist, a Baptist, Presbyterian,
Episcopal, Roman Catholic and a Christian Assembly. Afton Lake, which
was formerly a resort area, is now surrounded by private homes whose
members belong to the Afton Lake Association. Central to the whole
community is the school, the biggest employer in Afton. The original
brick building was constructed in 1908, but has been expanded by
successive additions. Today the Afton Central School is top-notch with
all the modern amenities, a large faculty, and a fleet of school buses
to transport students. Afton is mainly a charming community with
traditional values. It has attractive and well-maintained homes with
neighbors who value the landscape and the fine opportunities for raising
a family and putting down roots, something visitors often fall in love with.