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GLEN - Like early explorers from long ago, history buffs Saturday checked out the Seventh Annual Heritage Day at the town Municipal Building.

The Heritage & Genealogical Society of Montgomery County, in cooperation with the Montgomery County Department of History & Archives hosted the Erie Street event, which featured various historical booths, displays and authors.

The featured speaker was Donald R. Williams, who gave a presentation on his writings and "Nick Stoner and the Adirondack Guides."

Exhibits at the Municipal Building included those on historical societies and authors, artisans and genealogists.

Outside the building, Cheryl Baitholts of Rensselaerville, was operating a spinning wheel that she owns as a demonstration for "Heritage Day."

"Children learned to do it at around the age of seven and eight," said Baitholts, who owns a sheep farm.

Earlene Melious, of the society, showed off a large variety of historical books on display. She said many of the books are available at the society spaces at the old courthouse on Park Street in Fonda. Some of the books included cookbooks and a book on the history of St. Johnsville, as well as books such as "Indians and Colonists at the Crossroads of the Empire" and "Cornplanter."

"It has gotten better year after year," Montgomery County Historian Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar said of Heritage Days.

She said about 25 exhibits were open Saturday for anyone who loves history, and she was making her comments in front of the "Trolleys of the Capital District" display.

Historical tidbits could be found from throughout the region, such as at the Galway Preservation Society booth. Society President Bonnie Donnan said her group has about 170 members and it is dedicated to preserving the history of the Saratoga County village, which incorporated in 1838.

Hector Allen, historian for Oppenheim, said his Fulton County town "used to be a lot better than it is."

Society Treasurer Steve Helmin welcomed everyone to Heritage Day and encouraged the public to explore the various historical exhibits.

In another room, he later introduced Williams - an Adirondack guide who extensively spoke about his writing career.

"Don is a well-known figure here at Heritage Day," Helmin said.

Williams, 75, used some of his old storyteller charm to connect various aspects of Adirondack life with the way he has covered the region as a reporter over the years. Included in the talk was how he worked for The Leader-Herald years ago in the Adirondacks as a correspondent, taking photos for $4 apiece.

"We old Adirondackers never like to talk unless we're alone or with somebody," he said.

Williams said he has nine published books, written 1,000 articles for four newspapers and done many television shows.

"I don't consider myself a writer, I consider myself someone who loves the Adirondacks," he said.

The Heritage & Genealogical Society of Montgomery County was organized in 1976, as a not-for-profit group, to act as a support group for the Department of History & Archives. Funds raised through membership and events are used to purchase and/or bind materials for the Dept. of History & Archives library.

Meetings are conducted at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, from September to June (except December & January) in the Old Courthouse in Fonda.

Members receive a quarterly newsletter, compiled by the Montgomery County Historian. Articles and genealogical queries are always welcome to be submitted for the newsletter.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.