The Peru Gazette

L-R – Lincoln Sunderland and Town Supervisor Craig Randall

Peru, NY, June 9, 2026 – It’s been a memorable week for Lincoln Sunderland. On June 4, he celebrated his 86th birthday. At the Monday, June 8, Peru Town Board meeting, the Town Board recognized Sunderland for his work in preserving Peru history and former New York State Assemblywoman Janet Duprey recognized Sunderland for his role as president of the leadership group that founded Apple Valley Senior Housing. Janet told Sunderland, “We couldn’t have done it without you.”  The group met in 1977, got a loan in 1979 and opened the beautiful facility in 1980. 

Peru Town Historian Helen Nerska led the presentation. Nerska said, “Tonight it is our privilege and pleasure to recognize Lincoln Sunderland for his work in recording and sharing Peru history. We initiated this recognition when, in the historian’s office, we kept referring back to this book — which we began respectfully calling our Peru History bible. We also knew that these three books were produced by Lincoln Sunderland and donated to our town for sharing. Currently, proceeds from the book sales go to the Babbie Farm.”

“Other than a book written in 1913 by the Peru Grange, these are the only books that exist on Peru History. And I can’t stop there; we also found his work on the history of the Peru Community Church in our files – maybe a future publication?” 

“Lincoln was born and raised in Ellenburg as one of 12 children — and, like a number of us here, grew up on farmlands and woodlands that I now see were the most incredible playgrounds a child today could imagine. His autobiography would resonate with those of us lucky enough to have been raised on Clinton County farms. He was educated to be a science teacher, so his day job, so to speak, was teaching biology and earth science at Peru High School. He did this for 32 years.” Nerska added that Lincoln has been an active member of the Peru Lions Club since 1969 and said, “I believe he’s the oldest living member.” 

Sunderland’s wife, Ann, a longtime elementary school teacher at Peru Central, collaborated on many of her husband’s activities, including being an active member of the Peru Lions Club. Go to the Turkey Trot or the Lions roadside pickup, and you’ll often see Lincoln and Ann working side-by-side. The couple raised three daughters, Carolyn, Beverly and Jill. As Beverly commented, “What amazing role models!”