To the Editor:

The Voorheesville Community & School Foundation is proud and excited to be working with the village of Voorheesville and the town of New Scotland on two projects that will serve as recreational resources for residents and visitors, as well as reminders of the rich history of our village and town.

By now, we hope that most readers have heard the exciting news that the village of Voorheesville, with the help of generous donors and volunteers, will be constructing a pavilion at the beginning of the Albany County Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail at the corner of Grove and North Main Streets.   The pavilion will be a wonderful addition to our community, welcoming trail users from near and far.   The design of the pavilion will be similar to the Voorheesville train station that stood very close to the same site, and construction will begin this spring.

VCSF has enthusiastically committed $35,000 to the Voorheesville Rail Trail Pavilion project, but we need our community’s help in raising the funds needed for this worthwhile endeavor.  Through the generosity of several local individuals and businesses, the labor and some materials to build the Voorheesville Trail Head Pavilion have already been donated.

Additional funds are needed to purchase pavilion building materials and improvements to the trailhead such as landscaping, bike racks, picnic tables, and benches.  You can help VCSF “Raise the Roof” on the Voorheesville Rail Trail Pavilion by visiting our website and making a donation.

VCSF is also delighted to assist the town of New Scotland in raising private funds to preserve and reuse the Hilton Barn at LaVie Farm.  As you have most likely heard or seen, this historic barn has been lifted and will soon be moved to a site adjacent to the Rail Trail in New Scotland.  The town of New Scotland has worked tirelessly to ensure that the barn is moved out of harm’s way, but private funding will be critical to repairing and repurposing the structure.

For updates on the progress of the Voorheesville Pavilion and Hilton Barn Projects, you are encouraged to visit the Facebook pages of the village of Voorheesville, the town of New Scotland, Save the Hilton Barn at LaVie Farm, and FORT Friends of the Rail Trail

For more information on our foundation and to make tax-deductible donations to these wonderful causes, visit the VCSF website at www.vcsfoundation.com.  Checks may also be mailed to the foundation at the following address: VCSF, Post Office Box 523, Voorheesville, NY 12186. Please make checks payable to the Voorheesville Community and School Foundation and indicate “Hilton Barn Project” or “Rail Trail Pavilion” on the memo line of your check

Also, if you, your organization, or business would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact VCSF at to tell us about your interest. Please contact our board anytime with questions at the same email address.

Thank you for your support!

Pat Conway, president

VCSF Board