UNY ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
Archives and History of the Upper New York Annual Conference collects, preserves, and provides access to the historical records and artifacts of the conference across the region. This work equips United Methodist churches, researchers, and future generations to understand and engage with our shared Methodist legacy.
OUR HISTORY
The Upper New York Conference was officially formed in 2010 when the Western New York Conference merged with the North Central New York, Troy, and Wyoming Conferences in New York State to form the Upper New York Conference. This merger was done to better serve the ministry needs of the local church and community.
HISTORICAL SITES AND MEMOIRS INDEX
There are sites in multiple districts across the Conference, including the Adirondack, Albany, Crossroads, Finger Lakes, Mohawk, Northern Flow Districts. A PowerPoint of UMC Historical Sites that are part of the Upper New York Conference is available to download.
The General Commission on Archives and History maintains Conference memorials (obituaries) and Honor Rolls from the Annual Conference journals.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Interested in learning more or want to visit? The Upper New York Commission on Archives and History is looking for volunteers on a regular basis who are willing to volunteer in reviewing records for retention, cataloging new additions, and entering data. Before you volunteer, please read the following:
CHURCH CLOSING
Closing a church is a process that needs to be coordinated with the District Superintendent that oversees the area where the church is located. Note that the UMC Discipline requires as noted in ¶ 2549. Disposition of Property of a Closed Local Church in the Book of Discipline:
"All the deeds, records, and other official and legal papers, including the contents of the cornerstone, of a closed local church shall be collected by the district superintendent and shall be deposited for permanent safekeeping with the annual conference commission on archives and history."
The Commission on Archives & History has volunteers who can assist a closing church in reviewing their holdings for guidance as to what should be sent to archives.
MANAGING RECORDS
The General Commission on Archives and History has set standards in managing annual conference and local church records. These guidelines provide guidance for preserving essential documents, maintaining accurate records, and honoring the historical life of the church. The Upper New York Archives and History Ministry team gives a clear explanation of what to keep and what to toss in this video when it comes to closed churches.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Upper New York Annual Conference in June 2015 authorized the Upper New York Commission on Archives & History to organize the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society (UNY-UMHS). UNY-UMHS's purposes, as stated in its bylaws here, are:
1. To work with the Upper New York Conference Commission on Archives & History in the collection and preservation of materials (such as books, pamphlets, papers, relics, portraits, interpretation of historic sites) related to the history of The United Methodist Church and its antecedents within the bounds of the Upper New York Conference and its antecedents. Materials, where feasible, will be passed along to official archives of Upper New York Conference. 2. To promote in the conference, including with local church historians and others, knowledge of Methodist history and its preservation and dissemination (along with appropriate skills) by such means as seems best adapted to that end. Thus, the UNY-UM Historical Society has a mission to Preserve the PAST; Inform the FUTURE. To further its mission a Facebook page was created in 2016, public meetings were started in 2017, and a quarterly newsletter in 2018. Become a member of the UNY United Methodist Historical Society. By becoming a member for $7.50 a year, you are expressing interest in not just the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society (UNY-UMHS) but also the "ministry of memory" in Upper New York and beyond. There are so many benefits to joining, including updates to the latest news and receiving copies of the UNY News and Views newsletter. Click here to view a sample of the newsletter.
THE UPPER NEW YORK CONFERENCE JOURNALS
