Mary Licardi-DeVliegher is the Youth Coordinator for the Community Services Department in Crawford, and just last week she decided to add history to the mix.

For some time, District 18 Legislator Robert C. Sassi has been filling in as Town of Crawford Historian. During his time he put together the well-attended town’s bi-centennial and restored many town historical markers. Last Thursday, the Crawford Town Board presented him with a Certificate of Recognition after officially burying their time capsule. Sassi thanked them, but stated he was happy to fill in.

After that, the Town of Crawford Supervisor and the board appointed Licardi-DeVliegher to the position.

Licardi-DeVliegher has lived in Crawford her whole life, having graduated from Pine Bush High school and then becoming a history teacher.

“My family owned a business here (Licardi’s General Store) on Main Street years ago, which is no longer there,” she said. “As an adult I’ve always been interested in what businesses used to be here and what used to be in the town.”

Licardi-DeVliegher also mentioned doing a lot of volunteer work with past Crawford Historical Society President Joanne Keilor. She did some assignments and photography with her, documenting local cemeteries and barns in the area. They even turned the barn photographs into a calendar.

Her experience with history and former historians led her to be slightly hopeful in getting the role, but still, she wasn’t expecting it. “I was a little hopeful. I had worked with the past Historical Society president and I knew that our present historian Rob Sassi was probably going to be stepping down but everything was a little bit up in the air. So, I was hopeful,” said Licardi-DeVliegher.

Mary will continue with her role as youth coordinator while taking on her new role.