Barryville to inform visitors of area’s emerging commerce

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

BARRYVILE, NY — Following the 12th annual River Road Fair last Saturday, which organizer Leslie Rutkin described as “fabulous,” the Barryville Chamber of Commerce cut the celebratory red ribbon and officially opened the hamlet’s new information center.

“This represents a significant stage in the rebirth of our community and the entire Upper Delaware Valley,” said chamber President John Conway, standing between the purple trim on the doorway, facing the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.

“You’ve done an absolutely beautiful job here,” said Terri Hess, the new president of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce. “I wish you all the best.”

The idea for the project was born during visioning workshops conducted throughout the Town of Highland by Helen Budrock of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and the Sullivan County Commission of Planning and Community Development.

Yulan, NY resident and architect Gary Spanier championed the idea, Conway said, and volunteered his services to restore the vintage Amoco Gas Station at the corner of routes 55 and 97.

“The gas station is a perfect symbol for what we’re doing,” said Conway, who is also the Sullivan County historian. Prior to the 1920s, he said gas stations were mostly generic buildings, but oil companies soon realized the value of the structures and began selling kits for about $500.

“They became a symbol for emerging America,” Conway said.

The chamber rented the building from Gibson McKean and secured a $5,000 grant from Sullivan Renaissance to restore the building. Additional funds came from The First National Bank of Jeffersonville.

On August 8, this little building will be reviewed by Sullivan Renaissance, whose judges will decide whether the project will be funded over a three-year period.

Conway said the information center will be open Friday evenings and throughout weekends. Eventually, he said, the chamber hopes to develop it into a museum and historical center.