Guilderland

The Pine Bush Nature Preserve is spread out throughout the Town of Guilderland. This beautiful, large preserve, which is also the home of the rare Blue Karner butterfly, is open year round for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Several golf and country clubs are available in Guilderland and nearby communities. Many
State Parks and Recreational sites are within an easy drive of Guilderland.

The Library's building at 2228 Western Avenue provides a dynamic focus for the town. The modern facilities are a meeting place for many residents who enjoy reading a bestseller, doing research or checking out a magazine. The Library's resources include, as well as books and magazines, newspapers, pamphlet files, large print collection, computers for public access, a job information center, CDs and books on tape. As a member of the Upper Hudson Library Association, the Library has access to collections of other libraries through interlibrary loan. The Library also has public Internet access and online periodicals.  

Tawasentha Park, located on Route 146, is the largest. The swimming pool facilities include a diving area, lap area and kiddie pool. A variety of swimming courses are also available throughout the summer. A pavilion is available for group activities, and must be reserved ahead of time. There are numerous picnic areas with tables and grills.

Introduction to Guilderland

The Town of Guilderland has had at least four names through recorded history. In colonial times, it was part of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, granted by the Dutch West India Company to Killian Van Rensselaer in 1630. Farmers who settled on Rensselaerswyck land paid "quit rents" in the form of cash or "fat, fowl, wheat and labor" to permit them to clear land, construct buildings and grow crops.

In the 1700's, the area became known as "Helleburgh" for the mountains in the southwest. The Dutch name, meaning bright or clear mountains, evolved to the current "Helderberg".

The area became part of the Town of Watervliet in 1778, and in 1803 it broke away to become the Town of Guilderland, with virtually the same boundaries it has today.

The name "Guilderland" honored the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands, which was the homeland of the original settlers along the Normanskill or Norman Creek. The Guilderland Historical Society maintains several historical homes locally that are open to the public at various times throughout the year, such as the Frederick House in Guilderland Center.

Today, Guilderland is a fast-growing community at the crossroads of the Capital District Region offering gracious living in a suburban area of over 30,000 residents. Guilderland is primarily a residential area with a wide variety of retail, manufacturing sites, office and research facilities, farmland and nature preserves.