Project Announcements

Dr. John H. George, President of the Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum, has named William A. Miles and Donna Zellner Neal as working co-chairs of the Lumber City History Center Committee. Jack and Carol Kopczynski have been named Honorary Chairs of the Lumber City History Center Committtee, formed as the fundraising arm of the organization to make 54 Webster Street the permanent future home of the museum and its visitors’ center. They are supported by the following Honorary Co-Chairs: Kurt P. Alverson, A. Daniel Bille, Frank S. Budwey, William M. Davignon, Dal Giuliani, Carl P. Hoover, Paul F. Hoover, Hon. John J. LaFalce, Kay Learned, Senator George D. Maziarz, Michael B. Mroczka, Gerald N. O’Neill, George F. Rand IV, Lou Santiago, Peter E. Smolinski, Brett M. Sommer, Peter F. Trinkwalder, Margaret A. Waite, and Walter C. Yaro.

Miles, Manager of Information Technology for Transitional Services, Inc., is a 32-year member of Sweeney Hose Company and has served as its Chaplain for 18 years. He is a life member of the Western New York Fireman’s Association, the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York; the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains; and is serving the last year of a two-year term as the Chief Chaplain of the State of New York. He is Past President of the North Tonawanda Volunteer Fireman’s Association and a delegate to the Niagara County Fireman’s Association. A member of the North Tonawanda Benevolent Fireman’s Association, he has taken on the responsibility for providing the Tonawandas with the Anniversary of 9/11/2000 memorial services. He is a member of the Niagara County Line-of-Duty-Death Committee.

Born and raised in North Tonawanda, he is now a resident of the City o f Tonawanda. He is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Rotary Club of the Tonawandas and of the United Way of the Tonawandas. He was a past Canal Fest Parade chairman; and is a member of BuglesAcrossAmerica.com, and has played “taps” for Veteran’s funerals and various veterans services in the Tonawandas for more than 35 years. A 51-year member of the Sons of the American Legion, Sikora Post #1322, he also serves as Chaplain. He has assisted the Veterans Council of the Tonawandas for many years with the Memorial Day Parade.

Donna Zellner Neal is a founding Trustee of the North Tonawanda History Museum and has served as its volunteer Director since its inception in 2003. Born and raised in the City of Tonawanda, she is a resident of North Tonawanda.

Jack Kopczynski is President of Ascension Industries. Carol Kopczynski is an active volunteer with area organizations. They have been active in the North Tonawanda History Museum since its inception.

Jack’s father, John Kopczynski, one of the first seed money donors to the new Museum effort in 2003, was co-founder of Pivot Punch & Die in 1945, which grew around many of his patents, the most famous of all having been the Pivot Punch which revolutionized the metalworking punch and die industry world wide. This company grew to over 300 people at two facilities. In 1955 the partners went in separate directions each taking a part of the business. John Kopczynski then went on to become mayor of North Tonawanda in 1958-1959. During this time he also founded the St. Mary Manufacturing Corporation, a metalworking firm, where he continued his inventive ways. During his lifetime he succeeded in obtaining approximately 80 patents, one of which being the St. Mary “Spin Roll”, a holding fixture that is widely used in the metalworking industry. His research and patent work took him from all terrain vehicles on land with his “walk wheel” patent, (oval wheels instead of round for increased traction) to outer space with his theories on gravity and planet rotations within our solar system. His favorite quotation which was not his own was “man does not invent, he only discovers that which is already in nature”. An example of this would be his patented “Trotter” vehicle concept, which duplicated on wheels, the motion of a horse’s legs in its method of movement.

In 1975, Kopczynski also founded Ascension Sheet & Metal Fabrication, Inc. for light metal fabrication. The company was started by purchasing the assets of the former Joyce Plumbing and Heating Co. of Tonawanda. After a few years in Tonawanda, Ascension moved into the former Richardson Boat Company building on Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda and is still occupying the building in 2007.

In 2000, both St. Mary Manufacturing Corporation and Ascension Sheet & Metal Fabrication, Inc. were merged into one entity and renamed Ascension Industries, Inc. with headquarters on Erie Avenue in North Tonawanda, NY. The merger was successful in that Ascension Industries grew to become a first class metalworking manufacturer with strong welding, fabrication, machining and turnkey assembly capabilities for original equipment manufacturer’s throughout the United States.

John Kopczynski died in February 2005, leaving behind a successful business and a legacy of civic and personal contributions to North Tonawanda and its people, including his supportive role in the founding of the North Tonawanda History Museum.

The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum has been notified by NYS Senator George D. Maziarz that he has been successful in securing a cost-reimbursement grant in the amount of $10,000 under the 2007 Senate Member Initiative Program for financial assistance for the acquisition of 54 Webster St. to be the Lumber City History Center which will house the North Tonawanda History Museum and a Twin Cities Welcome Center.   The grant will be through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.  In March, the Niagara County Legislature presented a $5,000 grant toward the Lumber City History Center project.

The Finance Committee, chaired by the Museum Treasurer, Shari L. Kiesow, is working with the Facilities Committee, co-chairs of which are Donald R. MacDonald and Stephen Kurbiel, Museum President John H. George, and Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal, and has created the five-year budget for the total project. Details of the project will be announced at the Museum’s Third Annual Dinner & Meeting.

Reservations are being accepted for the North Tonawanda History Museum’s Third Annual Dinner & Meeting , which will be held in Pane’s Restaurant, 984 Payne Avenue, on Thursday evening, June 21.

The evening will begin with a cash bar at 6 p.m., followed by a sit down dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner choices are strip style sirloin, Italian stuffed chicken, and shrimp scampi over pasta. Reservations may be made by cash, check or credit card. Master Card and Visa are accepted. Dinner is $25 or $45 for a couple. A table of 6 is $130, a table of 8 is $175.

A copy of the 3rd Annual Report of the Museum will be issued to each attendee. The report has been developed for this year by Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal and Trustee Dennis Ziolkowski.

A presentation on the Museum’s Lumber City History Center project will be the focus of the meeting. The presentation, created by Hadley Exhibits, will provide attendees with a preview of the exciting concept the Museum Board plans for the new history center facility and Twin Cities Welcome Center. Hadley Exhibits has worked with Museum representatives since November 2003 in the development of the future museum concept. Preservation Architect Clinton Brown has worked on the project with the group since 2005. A booklet about the project is being prepared and will be distributed to guests at the Annual Dinner.

The Museum Board has initiated its fundraising efforts directed at the purchase of 54 Webster Street. A “5 & 10” campaign has begun, focusing on the building’s long history as a 5&10 cent variety store. Museum representatives plan to also incorporate a replica of the Sugar Bowl, another long-time Webster Street institution, an event hall, a reference library, a Lumber City Gift Shop, and other features into the completed project.

Call 213-0554 or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com for more information. A reservation form may be downloaded from the North Tonawanda History Museum Online at www.nthistorymuseum.org.

Jack and Carol Kopczynski have been named Honorary Chairs of the Lumber City History Center Committtee, formed as the capital fundraising arm of the North Tonawanda History Museum to make 54 Webster Street the permanent future home of the museum and its visitors’ center. They are supported by the following Honorary Co-Chairs: Kurt P. Alverson, A. Daniel Bille, Frank S. Budwey, William M. Davignon, Dal Giuliani, Carl P. Hoover, Paul F. Hoover, Hon. John J. LaFalce, Kay Learned, Senator George D. Maziarz, Michael B. Mroczka, Gerald N. O’Neill, George F. Rand IV, Lou Santiago, Peter E. Smolinski, Brett M. Sommer, Peter F. Trinkwalder, Margaret A. Waite, and Walter C. Yaro

The 2007 goal is $730,000, which will enable the North Tonawanda History Museum to acquire and move into the 40,000 square foot building at 54 Webster Street which housed the G. C. Murphy store for many years.

The Finance Committee, chaired by the Museum Treasurer, Shari L. Kiesow and Vice Chair, James M. Perry, Esq., is working with the Facilities Committee, co-chairs of which are Donald R. MacDonald and Stephen Kurbiel, Museum President John H. George, and Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal, in creating the five-year budget for the total project. Details will be announced at the Museum’s Third Annual Dinner & Meeting. A copy of the 3 rd Annual Report of the Museum will be issued to each attendee. The report has been developed for this year by Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal. A presentation on the Museum’s Lumber City History Center project will be the focus of the meeting. The presentation, created by Hadley Exhibits, will provide attendees with a preview of the exciting concept the Museum Board plans for the new history center facility and Twin Cities Welcome Center. A booklet about the project is being prepared and will be distributed to guests at the Annual Dinner.

Reservations are being accepted for the Third Annual Dinner & Meeting, which will be held in Pane’s Restaurant, 984 Payne Avenue, on Thursday evening, June 21.

The evening will begin with a cash bar at 6 p.m., followed by a sit down dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner choices are strip style sirloin, Italian stuffed chicken, and shrimp scampi over pasta. Reservations may be made by cash, check or credit card. Master Card and Visa are accepted. Dinner is $25 or $45 for a couple. A table of 6 is $130, a table of 8 is $175.

The Museum Board has initiated its fundraising efforts directed at the purchase of 54 Webster Street. A “5 & 10” campaign has begun, focusing on the building’s long history as a 5&10 cent variety store. Donations of $5.10 and pledges of $5.10 a month or week and other donations have begun arriving.

Museum representatives plan to also incorporate a replica of the Sugar Bowl, another long-time Webster Street institution, an event hall, a reference library, a Lumber City Gift Shop, and other features into the completed project. An important feature will be the Twin Cities Welcome Center, a visitors’ center designed to promote the Tonawandas and Niagara County as tourist destinations.

The completed Lumber City History Center will serve the needs of residents, students and researchers as a state of the art history center. It also is being designed to incorporate modern technology in a format which will create a tourist attraction of significance. The Twin Cities Welcome Center will serve as a resource center for visitors and residents on the cultural and recreational and other opportunities in the Tonawandas and in Niagara County as a whole. Samples of local products and Niagara County products will be given to visitors in the Welcome Center.

A five-year timetable for the ultimate completion has been established.

Museum Trustees and members of the Lumber City History Center Committee will also be scheduling smaller sessions, several breakfasts, several lunches, and several evening receptions in which to permit the viewing of the Hadley presentation to prospective donors or benefactors. Individuals wishing to know more are invited to call the museum.

Call 213-0554 or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com for more information. A reservation form for the Annual Dinner Meeting may be downloaded from the North Tonawanda History Museum Online at www.nthistorymuseum.org.

The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum has been notified by NYS Senator George D. Maziarz that he has been successful in securing a cost-reimbursement grant in the amount of $10,000 under the 2007 Senate Member Initiative Program for financial assistance for the acquisition of 54 Webster St. to be the Lumber City History Center which will house the North Tonawanda History Museum and a Twin Cities Welcome Center.   The grant will be through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.  In March, the Niagara County Legislature presented a $5,000 grant toward the Lumber City History Center project.

Jack and Carol Kopczynski have been named Honorary Chairs of the Lumber City History Center Committtee, formed as the fundraising arm of the organization to make 54 Webster Street the permanent future home of the museum and its visitors’ center. They are supported by the following Honorary Co-Chairs: Kurt P. Alverson, A. Daniel Bille, Frank S. Budwey, William M. Davignon, Dal Giuliani, Carl P. Hoover, Paul F. Hoover, Kay Learned, Senator George D. Maziarz, Michael B. Mroczka, Gerald N. O’Neill, George F. Rand IV, Lou Santiago, Peter E. Smolinski, Brett M. Sommer, Peter F. Trinkwalder,Margaret A. Waite, and Walter C. Yaro.

The Finance Committee, chaired by the Museum Treasurer, Shari L. Kiesow, is working with the Facilities Committee, co-chairs of which are Donald R. MacDonald and Stephen Kurbiel, Museum President John H. George, and Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal, in creating the five-year budget for the total project. Details will be announced at the Museum’s Third Annual Dinner & Meeting.

Reservations are being accepted for the North Tonawanda History Museum’s Third Annual Dinner & Meeting , which will be held in Pane’s Restaurant, 984 Payne Avenue, on Thursday evening, June 21.

The evening will begin with a cash bar at 6 p.m., followed by a sit down dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner choices are strip style sirloin, Italian stuffed chicken, and shrimp scampi over pasta. Reservations may be made by cash, check or credit card. Master Card and Visa are accepted. Dinner is $25 or $45 for a couple. A table of 6 is $130, a table of 8 is $175.

A copy of the 3 rd Annual Report of the Museum will be issued to each attendee. The report has been developed for this year by Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal and Trustee Dennis Ziolkowski.

A presentation on the Museum’s Lumber City History Center project will be the focus of the meeting. The presentation, created by Hadley Exhibits, will provide attendees with a preview of the exciting concept the Museum Board plans for the new history center facility and Twin Cities Welcome Center. A booklet about the project is being prepared and will be distributed to guests at the Annual Dinner.

The Museum Board has initiated its fundraising efforts directed at the purchase of 54 Webster Street. A “5 & 10” campaign has begun, focusing on the building’s long history as a 5&10 cent variety store. Museum representatives plan to also incorporate a replica of the Sugar Bowl, another long-time Webster Street institution, an event hall, a reference library, a Lumber City Gift Shop, and other features into the completed project.