5:17 PM EDT, May 13, 2009

WNEP NEWS - There has been a rare find in one part of Columbia County. The Berwick Historical Society had a collection of almanacs in its possession for decades, but only recently discovered a rare edition written by one of our country's founding fathers.

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Bill Vezendy with the Berwick Historical Society said the rare treasure sat undiscovered for decades.

In January, the historical society took a closer look at their collection of almanacs only to discover an original 1733 edition of Poor Richard's Almanac written by Benjamin Franklin. The almanac documented weather and other events in the colonies.

"This thing was hand-sewn together by him, hand-printed by him, hand-cut by him and Ben Franklin sits at the top of the food chain as far as famous Americans," said Vezendy.

The historical society said their rare find is one of only two surviving 1733 Poor Richard's Almanacs. The book itself is at Sotheby's Auction House in New York. The group decided to sell the collection to raise money for other projects.

"This is really a significant find for something that would have been real. This is early America," said Vezendy.

Vezendy believes the collection, three books with 17 almanacs bound together, came from the estate of William Woodin, a Berwick native who served as the secretary of treasury under President Franklin Roosevelt. He said it is amazing such a piece of history remained unnoticed for years.

"You never know what you're liable to find and where you're liable to find it," said Vezendy.

The auction at Sotheby's is set for June. With the proceeds from the sale of the almanacs, the Berwick Historical Society hopes to take over and restore Jackson Mansion, which currently houses City Hall.

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