The Big Springs Historical Society and Museum Summer 2008 A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP In February, first grade classes from Caledonia-Mumford Elementary School visited the Big Springs Museum as a culminating activity to their study of simple machines in the context of family life. In these visits, the museum becomes an extension of the classroom, inviting children to experience tools and machines of long ago that made work easier for families. ey visited four stations throughout the museum where docents taught the children about tools in the kitchen, one-room schoolhouse tools, farm tools and the many tools needed to clothe families many years ago. Students had the opportunity to use and view demonstrations on these working artifacts. e interactive visit allowed the young children to not only observe simple machines of the past, but also to make solid connections between how families lived and worked in their own community through part of the last century. On April 28, fourth graders from Cal-Mum made their annual excursion to the Big Springs Museum. ey came to learn about an important piece of local history and how our community was impacted by it. During the Great Migration (1890-1930), many African Americans migrated north and settled in the Caledonia-Mumford area. Museum volunteers were on hand to explain why they came to the area, how they lived, and their contributions to society. Several descendants of these African-American settlers spoke about their families. Shai Nelson, a student attending the program, was particularly delighted to hear stories about his ancestors. Students also toured other areas of the museum. Partnering School & Community coming soon Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory and History by Dr. Milton Sernett, Ph.D. Syracuse University Sunday Sept. 21, 2:00 pm sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Transcript
Passing Time Summer 2008
1
Fall 2005The Big Springs Historical Society and Museum Summer 2008
A UniqUe PArtnershiP
In February, first grade classes from Caledonia-Mumford Elementary School visited the Big Springs Museum as a culminating activity to their study of simple machines in the context of family life. In these visits, the museum becomes an extension of the classroom, inviting children to experience tools and machines of long ago that made work easier for families. They visited four stations throughout the museum where docents taught the children about tools in the kitchen, one-room schoolhouse tools, farm tools and the many tools needed to clothe families many years ago. Students had the opportunity to use and view demonstrations on these working artifacts. The interactive visit allowed the young children to not only observe simple machines of the past, but also to make solid connections between how families lived and worked in their own community through part of the last century. On April 28, fourth graders from Cal-Mum made their annual excursion to the Big Springs Museum. They came to learn about an important piece of local history and how our community was impacted by it. During the Great Migration (1890-1930), many African Americans migrated north and settled in the Caledonia-Mumford area. Museum volunteers were on hand to explain why they came to the area, how they lived, and their contributions to society. Several descendants of these African-American settlers spoke about their families. Shai Nelson, a student attending the program, was particularly delighted to hear stories about his ancestors. Students also toured other areas of the museum.
Partnering
School
&
Community
coming soon
Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory and
History
by Dr. Milton Sernett, Ph.D. Syracuse
UniversitySunday Sept. 21,
2:00 pm
sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities,
a state affiliate of the National Endowment for
the Humanities.
Passing Time Summer 2008
2
Working toWArd the FUtUre! Thanks to support from our members, we have been able to continue to improve our museum and carry on the important work of preserving local history. In addition to maintaining a historic building, caring for a respected collection, and offering programs, we host Cal-Mum’s first, third, and fourth grades and offer exhibition space for high school art and photography students throughout the year. Our name is becoming well known in museum circles as a model for the amazing things that can be accomplished by small institutions. Thanks to each of you who have renewed or upgraded your membership, especially in these difficult economic times. We can assure you that every dollar is put to good use. If you ever want to see for yourself, stop in and we will happily show you how your money is spent. However, financial support is only one half of the ‘pie.’ The other portion is people; volunteers, and board members who form the backbone of our organization. Maybe you are thinking, “But I don’t know how to run a museum!” Don’t worry, we will be happy to show you the ropes. Your ideas and unique experiences are just what our dynamic, and vibrant organization needs. Remember, ‘many hands make light(er) work’ and your hands are always welcome. The next time you attend an event, invite someone along who has never been to the museum before, and feel free to share our newsletters when you are done with them. Every new member helps us reach higher. Thanks everyone for your support.
going digitAl The Caledonia-Mumford High School Digital Photography Class has once again dazzled us with their talents and vision. “Snap! Portraits of Ourselves, Our World, and Others” opened on May 10 and was on display through June 2. Teacher Kathy Allen encouraged
her students to ask the question “Who am I most like?” and answer it with their own words and images. Visitors found the work to be candid and sophisticated, and each offers a uniquely personal photographic vision. Also included were family snapshots and environmental “portraits” by the students. We appreciate the extra hours Kathy Allen puts in each year to make this exhibit possible, and for the opportunity to partner with the Caledonia-Mumford School District. We look forward to many more rewarding collaborations. Thanks to senior, Emily Boylan for her help installing the exhibit.
Volunteer Helena Robinson spent some time sorting slides.
Barry Ganzhorn and his granddaughter Morgan Wolcott celebrate their similarities.
Curator Patty Garrett adds snow shoveling to the list of jobs she’d love to have a volunteer do!
teAm tAmes textile tAngle Our textile consultancy is humming along, and the number of articles identified has now exceeded 1,000! This project is taking an enormous number of volunteer hours and we thank Mary Schirmer, Helen Anderson, and Tina Ladd for their dedication. We were very excited that the costume design staff at the Genesee Country Museum asked to borrow six of our women’s costumes for their Mother’s Day celebration. Three of the dresses were recently donated by Jim Taillie, formerly of Mumford, and were once worn by his great grandmother Ellen Forbes Guthrie, a teacher at Mumford Union School. A recent donation to Big Springs of several dress forms by the Strong Museum enabled GCM staff to display the dresses beautifully. They looked fabulous! Thank you Cheryl Sundloft and Wilma Herman! Although our textile project is ambitious and time consuming, the events of the last few months serve to remind us that it is a collection worthy of our efforts. Now on to the 450 hats…
UhA And mAnY AnnUAl conFerence Thanks to a “Go” grant from Upstate History Alliance, President, Mara Trojanski and Curator, Pat Garrett were able to attend the annual meeting of the Museum Association of New York and the Upstate History Alliance in Albany. These two organizations support small museums throughout New York State through advocacy and professional development. The $730 grant covered most of their costs including travel and lodging. They came away with invaluable information which is already being put to use in our textile project. They learned that one of the biggest potential threats to a museum’s collections is insects, rodents, or other “pests.” Failing to recognize whether you have a problem can lead to the irreplaceable loss or damage to many important documents or objects. Mara and Patty participated in a day long workshop on Integrated Pest Management. (Are you thinking, wow I wish I could have gone too?) Well, I.P.M. is a combination of biological, cultural and genetic pest control methods, with pesticides used as the last resort.
With the use of “sticky traps” our staff and volunteers will be able to identify a specific pest problem and take fact based steps toward eliminating it. Pests might include webbing clothes moths, carpet beetles and silver fish. Conferences also offer great opportunities to participate in silent auctions. Pat and Mara shrewdly bid on (and won!) three terrific values. Westlake Conservators, located in Skaneateles, NY offered the cleaning, revarnishing, and corrective reframing of a small painting, and the archival mounting and corrective reframing of a paper object. We chose to bring them a lovely painting of the Annin Fishing Lodge on Spring Creek, painted by A. H. Collins, and a large certificate awarded by the German government to James Annin in recognition of his experiments in artificial fish propagation. Two paintings of trout by Lillian Annin were also left there for assessment.And lastly, we are now the proud owners of three large Plexiglas “cubes” that will be used to showcase and protect museum artifacts. The conference also included a trip to the New York State Museum and the Albany Institute of History and Art, a lot to take in in one weekend! Conferences are very stimulating and enjoyable, but they are a lot of work too, especially when you spend an entire day focussing on pests! The museum thanks Mara and Patty for their willingness to attend as volunteers, and bring back what they learned to benefit our museum. Volunteers are always welcome!
John Sutton, from Westlake Conservation, examines our trout painting by Lillian Annin Pelligrew.
Passing Time Summer 2008
4
oPerA hoUses “Opera Houses of Livingston County” was the topic for the Sunday, November 11 BSHS program. Jane Oakes, local historian from York, has done extensive research on these wonderful local buildings that were once the center of society. Productions such as musicals, humorists, dramatic and poetry readers were some of featured programs. Opera Houses were also used for political gatherings, community dances, town meetings and even roller skating. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and Mark Twain were just a few who graced the stages of theaters in Livingston County during the 19th century. If a town was thought to have any cultural sophistication they had to have at least one opera house. The more opera houses the more bragging rights a community had. Because of the expense, most halls were in a business block. The bottom two floors of these buildings were used for businesses such as a shoe maker, or a general store. The third floor housed the theater. This allowed for larger rooms without support columns interrupting the flow of space. Grand parties, dances and town meeting could take place without the interruption of walls and columns. The community of Caledonia felt the need for an opera house. In 1893 “shares” were bought by community members to build Burgess Hall #1. Tragedy struck only two years later, when the hall burned down. Caledonians felt so strongly about their opera house that they rebuilt the theater shortly after it burned. Burgess Hall #2 was built and still stands today. We know it as the Olimbia Theater on State Street. Christina McLoed of Caledonia performed dramatic readings from Shakespeare at Burgess Hall and other area theaters. Other theaters in Caledonia included the Perhamus Opera House (now Tennant Hall, which houses the town government offices), McLachlin’s Hall, Place’s Hall, GAR, Masonic & Odd Fellows Halls, Pullyblank Hall, Red Men’s Hall.
cAUtion! rAilroAd crossing AheAd!by Aidan Sullivan, Grade 5, Cal-Mum School
On March 8th and 9th the Big Springs Museum had a train show. Even though it was the day of the biggest snowstorm of the year, we all had fun. It was really loud when they were all running at once. My Dad and I brought up our homemade layout with twenty feet of track. Our layout is both O-27 and HO scale. Alan Garrett brought his N gauge layout and some awesome cars. We also had a Thomas & Brio train layout. A group from Rochester called the Flower City Tinplate Trackers came and set up a HUGE ‘O’ scale layout. It even had an airport and a garden store. They added some magic to their set as the Hogwarts Express chugged along the track. In the other room, the ghostly sound of our prized engine, the Rio
Grande pierced the air, followed by the ringing sound of our Civil War engine, the Texas, going around the track. Woooooooooooooooooo.
*Thanks to Sean and Aidan Sullivan and Alan Garrett for the many hours they invested in setting up train show. Thanks also to Bill Middleton for sharing his Lionel Standard gauge trains. And thanks to our resident “theme-cookie artist” Sue Deragon for her own bakery magic.
Presenter Jane Oakes
Passing Time Summer 2008
5
An evening oF Wine-PAiring
the WAY i see itby columnist Michael O’Hara, Grade 5, Cal-Mum School
A few months ago my friend Aidan (Sullivan), Mr. (Dick) Thomas, Mrs. (Jean) Guthrie, my mom (Meg Donegan) and I all went out one late night. Not to shop or party or to eat, but to pick up salamanders. The yellow spotted salamanders were going to lay eggs in the vernal ponds. The problem is, humans
have fragmented their crossing zone, so they have to cross a street to get to
the ponds. Cars run over the salamanders, and if it is a female, that costs the lives of many other salamanders. So we picked up as many as we could, and carried them across the road. They have to lay eggs to perpetuate their species and we’re killing them en masse! This sounds like it wouldn’t matter if they all died, but it does. The salamanders eat pests. Without them, there would be a dramatic increase in bugs such as mosquitoes. Salamanders are also beautiful creatures and part of our ecosystem. I feel good knowing that even though we were just a small group of people, we may have had a significant impact on the number of salamanders there will be next season. So remember, if you see people picking up salamanders in the road on a dark night in March, get out of your car and help.
The evening of March 1st was one of those Saturday evenings that you would prefer to curl up with a good book, have some hot chocolate, and just stay at home (maybe that’s just me...). Instead I, and about 35 others, braved the cold and snow and showed up for The ABCs of Wine Pairing at the Big Springs Museum. I think I can speak for all of them in saying, “We’re sure glad we did.” It was a pretty dazzling evening all around. Wine Educator Andrea Bornheim did a wonderful job presenting the five different wines - each paired with two or three different (and delicious) foods. She explained how to judge the clarity, color, bouquet, and body of a wine and why each varietal worked well with a particular dish. Andy and Vicki Hanson won the raffle basket that was filled with wine, wine-pairing books, and other wine paraphernalia. It was a fun and lively evening at the museum - and the weather turned much nicer by the time we had to go.
Our food service team was kept busy all evening .
From cAbin to kitchen Marie Schultz, interpreter of 19th century foodways at the Genesee Country Village and Museum, and a member of the Genesee Valley Food History Guild, presented a fascinating program on cooking in the 1800’s on April 27. She took us from log cabin to 19th century kitchens, as we gained appreciation for the forgotten cooks who fed and “fueled” the settlement of the Genesee Valley.
Passing Time Summer 2008
6
stePPin’ oUt victoriAn stYle
Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________________________________State ________________ Zip _________________
Annual Membership/Donation: (memberships run from January 1 through December 31; membership dues paid after October 1 will be attributed to the following year)
membershiP FormPlease fill out the information below and mail, along with your annual membership fee and/or donation, to the Big Springs Museum, PO Box 41, Caledonia NY 14423. Make checks payable to the Big Springs Historical Society. All donations are tax deductible.
Senior Member .................. $10
Individual Membership ...... $15
Family Membership ........... $20
Silver Patron ...................... $35
Gold Patron ....................... $50
Platinum Patron ............... $100
Donation ........ $ _____________
Total ............... $ ____________
all membership fees and donations are tax deductible
For our annual meeting this year, we had a fashion show featuring some 19th century dresses from our vast collection. Fragile threads (not to mention, tiny waistlines) made the idea of models out of the question, until someone suggested placing the outfits on dress forms with wheels. But who would escort these fine “ladies” down the runway? Enter some of the town’s most handsome, formally-dressed men… Mary Ellen Perry, our textile consultant, talked about each piece as it came down the runway. Although the event didn’t get covered by mass-media or appear in the latest high-fashion magazine, it provided those in attendance with
an appreciation of the unique beauty and craftsmanship to be found in the treasures hanging the Big Springs Museum’s closets.
Above: Presenter Mary Ellen Perry; Left: Sue Deragon displays her artistry in cookie design (before they all disappeared); Far Left: Dress Form Escorts Donald Griffin, Dick Thomas, and Sean Sullivan.
Passing Time Summer 2008
7
From the ArchivesCooperation Urged in Fuel Oil ShortageExcerpted from Caledonia Advertiser January 8, 1948
Right now, today, New York State and especially Livingston County have a shortage of fuel oil. There just isn’t enough extra oil for new installations or even normal operation of existing installations. At a meeting called by County Fuel Coordinator F.J. Fuller, January 5th, 1948, at which 17 of the 30 known fuel oil distributors were asked to cut January and future deliveries to ALL customers 15 per cent. February and March reserves are being used right now with two distributors out of oil and two more will be out in a matter of a day or so. All persons using oil burners to heat their homes and industrial users of fuel oil must immediately decrease their consumption by at least 15%. If everyone does not cooperate there will be heatless homes and misery in late February or early March. 100,000 new oil burner installations were made during the past year, many of which were installed by men who knew of the impending shortage. Railroads and industries have converted to diesel-operated machinery with these new demands being way beyond the ability of the oil companies to produce fuel oil to meet them.
1. There is no fuel oil for new burner installations. Don’t install a burner and expect oil.
2. If your dealer runs out of oil you will be able to get only one week’s supply, and then only by robbing from oil to be used by others soon.
3. Your village mayor has been appointed Local Fuel Coordinator with instructions to have all appeals for emergency oil investigated.
If the investigation shows that you have 1) closed off rooms, 2) drawn your curtains, 3) set back your thermostat to 70 degrees days and 64-66 degrees nights and taken steps to cut your consumption 15% you will be issued certification for one week’s fuel supply, providing your fuel tank has less than 50 gallons in it.
Before asking for emergency fuel oil delivery, contact your dealer again, he may have received some oil that very day.
People requesting emergency fuel oil should have driveway in usable condition and be prepared to pay cash if not regular customer of the distributor making emergency delivery.
A special application form will be furnished you by the mayor of your village or if you live in a town not having a village, your town Supervisor has been designated as local coordinator and will furnish you with an application.
A written order will be given for emergency fuel.
4. Any home, business or industry able to change back to coal should do so immediately.
5. Local coordinator should be contacted for written approval before making any plans for new oil burner installations.
- F. J. Fuller, Liv. Co. Fuel Coordinator
Strayline’s Recalled in MemoryDateline June 2, 1983, Caledonia Advertiser
If anyone remembers Strayline’s Soda and Lunch Bar, they are at least over 21! It opened on June 1, 1938, on State Street in the annex of what was to become Wheeler’s Ford Garage. In May, 1945, the store moved to a new building on North Street built by the Straylines. Late that summer, Francis and Helen Greene opened the Moon Winks. On December 5, 1953, Burt Strayline died but the business was continued by Mrs. Theresa and Shirley Strayline until May 25, 1963 when it closed. Later that summer, it was sold. 25 years of work and play in a nutshell!!! The above was sent by Shirley Strayline from Florida where she is now living. The building to which she refers is now the Village Florist on North street. The Wheeler’s Ford Garage is now Pardi Foam.
Passing Time Summer 2008
8
Big Springs Historical Society and Museum3095 Main StreetPO Box 41Caledonia, New York 14423
big sPrings historicAl societY And mUseUm (585) 538-9880
Museum Hours:Sundays 1-4 p.m.Mondays 9-noon
or by appointmentCall 538-9880 with questions or for information on upcoming events.
boArd members:Susan Deragon, Meg Donegon, Darlene Fisher-Livermore, Nicole Flint, Donald Griffin, Evie Johnson, Sean Sullivan, Dick Thomas, Kim Torre
Welcome to our newest members, thanks for joining!• Ron Anderson
• Patrick Burk & E. Jane Pratt
• Greg & Sharleen Carnes
• Cliff & Barb Chapman
• Kevin R. Clary
• Martin Clary
• Elizabeth Fili
• Steven and Nicole Flint
• David L. Franke (from honorary)
• Charlie & Karen Waldron-Johnson
• Darlene Fisher-Livermore
• James & Lynne Freeman
• Kelley McClenny
• Anne Rodgers
• Lyn and Joe Somers
• Kingsley Stanard
• Joe and Shirley Ward, III
• Wm. Hamilton & Son, Inc.
• Terrance J. Yount
And FinAllY, in PAssing… Many donations have been received in memory of Mildred “Sue” Callan, and still come in in memory of Ella McGinnis. We thank their family and friends for remembering them by helping to continue the work of our museum. Donations have also been received in honor of Vonnie and Don Pullyblank for the 50th anniversary of their wedding. BSHS has received employer matching funds from Dell Direct Giving Campaign through Mary Ann Nailos, and from GE through Joan (Waldron) Harvey. Thanks, Mary Ann and Joan! We would be remiss in not mentioning the recent passing of three members, and great friends and supporters of the Big Springs Museum. Neil Alhart, Charles Banks, and George Traber - we will miss them all tremendously and appreciate their years of service to the Caledonia-Mumford community.
Charles Banks Named Caledonia’s 2008 Citizen of the Year
