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Al Dumas: preserving Thompson’s rich history for future generations

By Patricio Robayo
Posted 5/16/23

Al Dumas, the newly appointed Town Historian of Thompson, is a man whose passion for the history of his hometown runs deep.

Growing up, Dumas acquired a wealth of knowledge about the history of …

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Al Dumas: preserving Thompson’s rich history for future generations

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Al Dumas, the newly appointed Town Historian of Thompson, is a man whose passion for the history of his hometown runs deep.

Growing up, Dumas acquired a wealth of knowledge about the history of the area from his father, who instilled in him a deep interest in the history of the town of Thompson and the Village of Monticello.

Dumas comes from a family with deep roots in the region, as his father came to Monticello in 1926. Dumas was born in Monticello in 1965 and watched his father contribute to the development of many local buildings, including Monticello High School, Fallsburg and Liberty High Schools, Sullivan County Community College, and the Neversink Dam.

Dumas himself graduated from Monticello Central School District and received an Associate Degree from SUNY Sullivan.

After serving as the driver of Judge Lawrence H. Cooke, who was the county judge and served in the New York Court of Appeals and was the first Chief Judge appointed by a Governor from the late 1970’s to the mid-1980’s, Dumas became increasingly involved in the area’s history and developed a lifelong interest in the subject.

Dumas’ love for history stems from his passion for geography, maps, and travel, which he has had since he was a child. He believes that understanding the history of an area is crucial to appreciating and understanding its geography, which is why he has always sought to learn about the history of the places he has visited.

In addition to his work as a town historian, Dumas is also involved in many other activities in the area, including serving as a firefighter for the Monticello Fire Department—which he was awarded the NYS Liberty Award, the highest honor by the state for saving a man from a burning car—, a member of the Human Rights Commission, a member of the Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association, and a liaison for the Sheriff’s Department. He is also involved in politics and serves as the vice-chair of the Democratic Committee.

Dumas retired from the Department of Public Works for the Village of Monticello in 2020, but his passion for history has not diminished. He sees his appointment as the town historian of Thompson as an opportunity to share his knowledge and love of history with the community and to help them understand the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Dumas said he has witnessed the decline of businesses in Sullivan County and said the area hit its apex in 1960 before experiencing a decline in the ‘80s and ‘90s. However, Dumas pointed out that the area is now experiencing a surge.

Dumas is currently embarking on an exciting project to commemorate Lieutenant John Crawford, a local hero this Memorial Day. Dumas aims to shine a spotlight on Crawford’s selfless act of bravery and highlight his incredible contribution to the community. A housing complex now bears his name, making this project all the more important in preserving the town’s rich history and ensuring that future generations will learn about the remarkable people who helped shape the community.

Dumas’ work as a historian helps to preserve the rich history of the area and ensures that future generations will learn about the people and events that shaped the community.

Dumas said that he relies more on his memory than on technology when it comes to history. While he acknowledges the need for technology to enhance and supplement his knowledge, he prefers to rely on his memory for now. He even said that he could spend the whole day talking about the town’s history and bring someone to lunch and feed them well while they learn.

Dumas has been involved with the town’s history for some time and has been actively involved in preserving the town’s monuments and historical landmarks. He said that his interest in the project was motivated by his sense of community and his military background.

Dumas acknowledged that the project had its critics, but he also knows that it is impossible to please everyone. Quoting Ricky Nelson, he said, “You can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself.” He expressed his satisfaction in having brought attention to the town’s monuments and making people curious about them.

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