Schuyler County Public Health will mark 100 years of service with an open house and student art show from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at its new offices in Watkins Glen.
The free community event will be held in the Shared Services Building at 910 S. Decatur St. Artwork by Watkins Glen Central School District students will be displayed, and visitors can tour the department's offices and learn about its services.
Student art will accompany office tours
Public Health Director Jill Kasprzyk said the department wanted to feature community artwork because its work centers on local residents, families and neighbors. She said the open house will offer a chance to see the new offices and meet staff while viewing the student work.
The department moved its full team into the Shared Services Building in 2026. The open house is part of its centennial observance.
Department traces service to 1926
Schuyler County hired its first public health nurse, Miss Conley, in 1926. Her work focused on providing diphtheria vaccines to children.
By 1954, the county's two public health nurses were handling maternal and child health work and efforts to prevent communicable diseases through home visits and clinics.
The county adopted Local Law No. 1 in 1973, leading to the establishment of Public Health's Watershed Protection Agency. The department added a lead-poisoning prevention program in 1991 and an Early Intervention program in 1992.
The Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking was founded in 2006 and later became the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs. The county established its Medical Reserve Corps in 2007 and the Suicide Awareness for Everyone coalition in 2012.
The department said its mission is to protect and empower the community to be safe, healthy and prepared.
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