History of the Museum / News Release Archive - January 2006 * Represents newest additions to our Archive NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known as the “Lumber Capital of the World” in the late 19th century. 2005 Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! History Museum to Present First Industrial Heritage Night The North Tonawanda History Museum will present its first Industrial Heritage Night program on Thursday, February 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Ascension Industries, Inc., 1254 Erie Avenue. Jack Kopczynski, President of Ascension Industries, will host the event. The program will include a tour of the manufacturing facility and a history of both Ascension Industries and the earlier St. Mary Manufacturing Corp. and Ascension Sheet Metal Fabrication, Inc. from which it was created. Kopczynski will share the history of the business and of its founder, his father, John Kopczynski, Sr., who served as Mayor of North Tonawanda in 1958-1959. Jack Kopczynski served as President of St. Mary Manufacturing for fifteen years and has been President of Ascension Industries since 1990. St. Mary Manufacturing Corp. was founded in 1956 by John Kopczynski, Sr. to provide high quality machining, tooling, automation systems and related manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers and other users of precision metalworking capabilities. In 1975, John Kopczynski founded Ascension Sheet Metal Fabrication, Inc, adjacent to St. Mary Manufacturing, and his sons, John, Jr. (Jack) and Mike, became active in the business. In 2001, the companies merged to become Ascension Industries, Inc. The business occupies 85,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Refreshments will be served by Museum volunteers, including special treats made from recipes in the “Wurlitzer Centennial Cookbook” from 1956. The cookbook contains recipes going back three generations in the Wurlitzer family. Those wishing to also visit the other facility operated by the company in the former Richardson Boat plant at 370 Sweeney Street will be given the opportunity following the program.NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda, known as “the Lumber Capital of the World,”and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Museum Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! The North Tonawanda History Museum's website poll to select the winning entry in "The Future of Our Past" Logo Design Contest of 2005 has been receiving a significant number of voters since it was launched on January 1. Due to delayed delivery by the postal service, several entries sent and postmarked December 15 did not arrive at the Museum until January 5. Because they were submitted prior to the December 31 cutoff date for submissions, they are eligible for consideration in the contest.
Since the poll had to be totally revised to include the additional entries, the initial poll has been removed and a new poll will replace it on January 6. The Board of Trustees thanks all who had already voted and apologizes for any inconvenience. However, in order to be fair to all involved, it was felt that the entire poll should be replaced to include all entries. Be sure to re-cast your votes, because there is no way for us to alter the current poll without losing all the previous data. Thank you for your understanding, and good luck to all entrants. NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda, known as “the Lumber Capital of the World,”and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Museum Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! History Museum to Present First Industrial Heritage Night The North Tonawanda History Museum will present its first Industrial Heritage Night program on Thursday, February 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Ascension Industries, Inc., 1254 Erie Avenue. Jack Kopczynski, President of Ascension Industries, will host the event. The program will include a tour of the manufacturing facility and a history of both Ascension Industries and the earlier St. Mary Manufacturing Corp. and Ascension Sheet Metal Fabrication, Inc. from which it was created. Kopczynski will share the history of the business and of its founder, his father, John Kopczynski, Sr., who served as Mayor of North Tonawanda in 1958-1959. Jack Kopczynski served as President of St. Mary Manufacturing for fifteen years and has been President of Ascension Industries since 1990. St. Mary Manufacturing Corp. was founded in 1956 by John Kopczynski, Sr. to provide high quality machining, tooling, automation systems and related manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers and other users of precision metalworking capabilities. In 1975, John Kopczynski founded Ascension Sheet Metal Fabrication, Inc, adjacent to St. Mary Manufacturing, and his sons, John, Jr. (Jack) and Mike, became active in the business. In 2001, the companies merged to become Ascension Industries, Inc. The business occupies 85,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Refreshments will be served by Museum volunteers, including special treats made from recipes in the “Wurlitzer Centennial Cookbook” from 1956. The cookbook contains recipes going back three generations in the Wurlitzer family. Those wishing to also visit the other facility operated by the company in the former Richardson Boat plant at 370 Sweeney Street will be given the opportunity following the program. ADVANCE NOTICE is also given of German Heritage Night on Thursday, March 23, 2006, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the North Tonawanda Senior Center, 110 Goundry Street. The evening’s program will be presented by the Historical Society of North German Settlements of Western New York of Bergholtz, enabling attendees to understand the common German heritage of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield. North Tonawanda was a part of the Town of Wheatfield from 1857 through its incorporation as a separate village in 1865.NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda, known as “the Lumber Capital of the World,”and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Museum Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! Two Named Ex-officio Members of Museum Board The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum, at its January 9 meeting, named two Ex-officio Trustees, A. Daniel Bille and William M. Davignon. Bille is North Tonawanda City Historian. He serves on the North Tonawanda Historic Preservation Commission, is an Honorary Charter Life Member of the Museum for his service in its startup period and has served on its Advisory Committee since its inception as an interest group on September 10, 2003. Davignon is a chemist with the City of North Tonawanda Wastewater Treatment Plant, a past officer of the CSEA Local 832/Unit 7692 Union; and an active community volunteer and former 9 th District Niagara County Legislator; Davignon is an Honorary Charter Life Member of the Museum for his service in its startup period and has served on its Advisory Committee since its inception as an interest group on September 10, 2003.NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known as the “Lumber Capital of the World” in the late 19th century. 2005 Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! The voting period for the North Tonawanda History Museum logo design contest has been extended to February 15 to permit everyone who wishes to vote to do so, and to provide time for additional voters to become aware of their opportunity to help in selecting the Museum’s first logo. In conjunction with plans for the future permanent home of the North Tonawanda History Museum, the Board of Trustees offered residents and former residents of North Tonawanda the opportunity to create a permanent logo for the Museum in 2005. The Future of Our Past Logo Design Contest was open to residents of North Tonawanda. Residents and former residents are now invited to vote for their favorite design. To view the participating entries and submit your vote, visit the North Tonawanda History Museum Online at www.nthistorymuseum.org. The North Tonawanda History Museum belongs to the residents and former residents of North Tonawanda who treasure the City's history. Museum programming and plans for the Museum's future have all been based on input from the community since the first interest group meeting in September 2003. The contest was a follow up to the contest sponsored by the Museum in 2004 for North Tonawanda school students. This contest resulted in 79 entries, with wonderful artwork coming in from all North Tonawanda School District elementary and middle schools and from St. Mark's Lutheran School. There were four winning entries in this contest, which generated ideas which led to the motto, “The Future of Our Past.” The entries in this first contest were actual works of art rather than logos per se. This year’s contest resulted in seven entries focusing on the theme, “The Future of Our Past.” Entries may still be submitted through December 31. Since the contest was announced, plans have been moving forward for the Museum’s future permanent home, expected to be named “The Lumber City History Center.” The Museum’s Board of Trustees expects to announce its official Capital Campaign for the permanent Museum home in 2006. The logo selected from the 2005 contest will serve as the logo for the Capital Campaign and until the permanent home is a reality, at which time a permanent logo focusing on the Lumber City History Center will replace the temporary one. The mission of the North Tonawanda History Museum is to assemble, preserve, protect, and exhibit collections pertaining to the history of North Tonawanda, its people and community life, focusing especially on our rich immigrant heritage and role as an important shipping and manufacturing center strategically located on the historic Erie Canal and the Niagara River in the 19th and 20th centuries. As a research and educational institution, we plan to be both an active participant in the historical and cultural tourism focus of North Tonawanda and a focal point for students of all ages to participate in historical studies and activities of the City. The winner will receive a $100 Savings Bond.
NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known as the “Lumber Capital of the World” in the late 19th century. 2005 Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! HISTORY MUSEUM LAUNCHES HISTORIC TREASURES RECOGNITION PROGRAM Photos and Sample Layouts Available on North Tonawanda History Museum Online The North Tonawanda History Museum is proud to announce an opportunity for City residents and businesses or other organizations to recognize and promote the history of their property and to encourage interest in the history of North Tonawanda ’s homes and other structures. The North Tonawanda History Museum Historic Treasures Recognition Program will be an ongoing program. Plaques may be obtained through the Museum for any property for which historical documentation is available. Your property does not need to have been officially designated as historical to qualify for this program. Museum personnel will assist property owners in determining the historical nature of their property. Oval cast bronze plaques with a choice of brown, black, or dark green background, and a choice of 11”x8”, 10”x7”, or 7”x 5” size are available. Suggested wording on the plaques would include a commonly accepted historical name of the home or building, such as “The Wurlitzer Home,” and/or the street address or house number, and/or “Designed by (architect or builder). Each plaque will contain the wording: “ North Tonawanda History Museum Historic Treasures Recognition Program”. To see what the plaques look like and for sample layouts, visit the museum’s website at www.nthistorymuseum.org. The scroll on the home page has a link to take you directly to the information about the program. You may also download an application form to order your plaque by mail. All properties participating in the program will become part of the Museum’s future walking history tours and will be included in appropriate printed materials and publications of the Museum. Individuals, groups, or businesses wishing to sponsor plaques for community sites, such as parks, cemeteries, churches, schools, etc., may do so as well. For more information or an order form, call the Museum at 213-0554 or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com or visit the North Tonawanda History Museum Online at www.nthistorymuseum.org. MUSEUM ANNOUNCES NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORIC GARDENS CONTEST & TOUR 2006 The members of the Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum are pleased to announce the 2nd Annual North Tonawanda Historic Gardens Contest. Project Pride, the Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda, Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, Inc., the Towpath Tiller, and the Friends of the North Tonawanda Public Library are official sponsors of the Historic Gardens Tour which will be developed from the contest. The 2006 contest is open to residents, businesses, and civic and cultural organizations of North Tonawanda. The contest is meant to encourage visitors to our city as well as to serve our residents and to emphasize the enjoyment of history, things historical, and gardening. The 2005 contest resulted in the North Tonawanda Historic Gardens Tour 2005, a walking/driving tour of twelve participating gardens. The tour brought in visitors from other communities and proved to be a satisfying experience for the visitors as well as for the gardeners. The contest is:
The tour is:
Judging:
Specifications for participation:
Tour maps showing locations of participating gardens will be available beginning June 15, 2006, at the North Tonawanda History Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street; Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street; Budwey’s Supermarket at 535 Division Street; the North Tonawanda City Clerk’s office, 216 Payne Avenue; the North Tonawanda Senior Center, 110 Goundry Street; the North Tonawanda Public Library, 505 Meadow Drive; the Office of the Mayor in City Hall at 216 Payne Avenue; and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street. Prizes: Prizes will be awarded based on various categories, depending on participation. The 2005 contest resulted in winners in the following categories: most creative, most colorful garden, best design, best old-fashioned. most welcoming, most spectacular, most classic, most eye-catching, most established, most original, best historic theme. Contact the Museum at 213-0554 or by email at nthistorymuseum@aol.com for further information. You may also download an application form from the Museum website at www.nthistorymuseum.org. MUSEUM HOSTS WALKING TOURS OF CITY’S HISTORY ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS The North Tonawanda History Museum will host its third season of North Tonawanda Seaway Trail Walks. The 1-1/2 hour guided walking tours will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at Project Pride Way on the west side of Webster Street between Tremont Street and Goundry Street. Located in the Historic DowNTown North Tonawanda Shopping District, Project Pride Way joins Webster Street across from the Historic Riviera Theatre. The walks begin on June 7 and continue to September 27, 2006. They are 90 -minute walking tours of the City's lumber and industrial history and historic mansions hosted by the North Tonawanda History Museum. Each walker receives a packet of information on North Tonawanda historical and cultural attractions, concert schedules, restaurant menus, and will also receive a free pass to an organ concert in the Riviera Theatre and a token for a free ride on the historic carrousel at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. Included in each packet will be self-guided walking/driving tour brochures created by the Museum, funded in part by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities. Museum volunteers present two different rotating tours of historic North Tonawanda, a city whose location at the juncture of the historic Erie Canal with the mighty Niagara River made it a significant industrial center in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. The “North Tonawanda’s Historic Homes” tour will be presented on July 12 as part of Canal Fest of the Tonawandas activities, and on June 7, June 21, August 2, August 16, August 30, September 13, and September 27. This tour takes you through the North Tonawanda “historic mansion district” and combines the stories of the lumber barons, bankers, insurance executives, and other prominent North Tonawandans with the stories of their wonderful historic homes. See wonderful homes and hear about the people who built them and lived in them. The “North Tonawanda’s Industrial Heritage” tour will be presented on June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, August 23, September 6, and September 20. Learn about the rich immigrant heritage of “the Lumber Capital of the World,” in a walk which takes you through the historic downtown Webster Street business district, an eclectic mix of restaurants, small shops, and cultural attractions; and along the historic Erie Canal as concerts are taking place, enabling you to learn the history of the North Tonawanda waterfront area now participating in a rebirth as a summertime mecca for boaters and other tourists, past many of the City’s historic buildings and other sites, and through the historic Oliver Street business district, once described as having the most taverns on a single street in the country. Also two special times during Canal Fest week: Tuesday, July 11 at 2 p.m.: North Tonawanda: The Lumber City on the Seaway Trail” and Thursday, July 13 at 4 p.m.: North Tonawanda: Historic Homes of the Lumber City.” Plan to visit the historic downtown North Tonawanda shopping district earlier in the day. Plan to stay after the walking tour for a free concert in Gateway Park on the banks of the historic Erie Canal. Spend a day or more in North Tonawanda, visit its wonderful waterfront on the Canal and mighty Niagara River, and explore the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, the Ghostlight Theatre, Carnegie Art Center, the Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier, Partners in Art Studios, and the Riviera Theatre. Visit the City’s 98-year old Farmer’s Market or its parks and Botanical Gardens. Visit the North Tonawanda History Museum at 314 Oliver Street Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., or Fridays 9 to noon. Also open by appointment. Call 716-213-0554 for further information. Fees for Seaway Trail Walks are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12, $6 ea. in groups of 15 or more. The walks can also be scheduled at other times for groups or school classes by advance reservation.NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known as the “Lumber Capital of the World” in the late 19th century. 2005 Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! MUSEUM PLANS ORIENTATION SESSIONS FOR HISTORY WALK GUIDES—VOLUNTEERS DESIRED – Businesses and Cultural Organizations asked for advertising materials for handouts to walkers. The North Tonawanda History Museum will host its third season of North Tonawanda Seaway Trail Walks on Wednesday evenings from June 7 through September 27, 2006 , and two daytime walks during Canal Fest week. The 1-1/2 hour guided walking tours will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Project Pride Way on the west side of Webster Street between Tremont Street and Goundry Street. Located in the Historic DowNTown North Tonawanda Shopping District, Project Pride Way joins Webster Street across from the Historic Riviera Theatre. They are 90-minute walking tours of the City's lumber and industrial history and historic mansions hosted by the North Tonawanda History Museum . Museum volunteers present two different rotating tours of historic North Tonawanda , a city whose location at the juncture of the historic Erie Canal with the mighty Niagara River made it a significant industrial center in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Businesses and cultural organizations wishing to provide advertising material on their business or organization, schedules of events, etc., for the gift bags distributed to walkers are invited to drop off supplies at the Museum or to call to arrange pick up by a Museum volunteer. Volunteers interested in learning to serve as walking tour guides are invited to attend an orientation session on either Monday, February 13, or Tuesday, February 21, at 7 p.m. at the Museum. Call 213-0554 to register.NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River 314 Oliver Street North Tonawanda, New York 14120 (716) 213-0554 e-mail: nthistorymuseum@aol.com - website: www.nthistorymuseum.org A new museum of the rich immigrant heritage of North Tonawanda and its role as an important shipping and manufacturing center on the Historic Erie Canal and the Mighty Niagara River in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known as the “Lumber Capital of the World” in the late 19th century. 2005 Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to noon Also open by appointment; admission free; donations accepted Proud to be a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas!! Stephanie Sadler, a North Tonawanda resident and a journalism major at the State University of New York College at Fredonia, has completed an internship with the North Tonawanda History Museum . Stephanie participated in the Museum’s Oral History Program, under the direction of Jason Law, Oral History Program Coordinator, who is a D’Youville College history major. Their completed joint project will be submitted to the Veterans History Project, as well as becoming a part of the Museum’s Oral History files. Stephanie also created a new format and design for the Museum’s newsletter and annual report, and created a conceptual design for the organization’s capital campaign brochure. |
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