The mission of the Germantown History Department is to collect, preserve and share the artifacts and the oral, documentary, personal and physical histories of the communities of Columbia County.

The history of Columbia County remains alive in the memories of its older citizens, in official and family documents, in artifacts and buildings and other monuments still standing on the landscape. The goal of the Department is to keep this history alive by recording these memories, researching and interpreting these documents, collecting these artifacts, and by visiting, exploring and photographing these buildings and other landmarks before they are lost.

By involving local people and institutions in its work, the Department aims to foster a sense of pride in the community and in our collective past and future.