Bill Baronich of North Tonawanda won a chance to have coffee with author and North Tonawanda native Diane Meholick. The North Tonawanda History Museum had gift tables inside Greater Buffalo Savings Bank and Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center and provided free face painting in the Greater Buffalo Savings Bank lobby, along with an exhibit on diversity.

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 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Museum Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Wednesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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!!

2007 Volunteers and Donors of the Year(s)

The North Tonawanda History Museum recognized 79 volunteers and supporters of the now 4-year old North Tonawanda History Museum for their contributions to the Museum at the December 8 "Dutch Holidays" program held at Sutherland Lodge, 1400 Ruie Road.  Recognized were:

Business Partners of the Year(s), in recognition of their dedication and support of the North Tonawanda History Museum:  Pioneer Printers, Inc.   2003 – 2007; DeGraff Memorial Hospital – 2004 – 2007; Wizard Communications – 2005 – 2007; Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda – 2003 – 2007; Frank Budwey/Budwey’s – 2003 – 2007; Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas – 2004 – 2007; Pane’s Restaurant – 2004 – 2007; Sherwood Florist; Joe Cecconi’s Chrysler Complex; Hartland Carriages – 2005 – 2007; Gullo’s Macaroni Grill – 2006 – 2007; Greater Buffalo Savings Bank – North Tonawanda Office – 2003 – 2007; Cipriano, Inc., Realty – 2004 – 2007; Brick, Brick & Elmer; Ascension Industries; Michael Mroczka/RealtyUSA – 2004 – 2007.

Volunteer Families of the Year(s)    in recognition of their dedicated Volunteer Service to the North Tonawanda History Museum: The George Family; The Neal and Zellner Family - 2003 – 2007; The Santiago Family - 2005 – 2007; The Oney Family – 2006 – 2007; The Martin Family; The Miles Family.

Volunteers of the Year(s)  , in recognition of their dedicated Volunteer Service to the North Tonawanda History Museum: John Zellner Neal – 2003 – 2007; Danielle Oney – 2006 – 2007; Barbara Wickman – 2003 – 2007; Jane Garis – 2004 – 2007; Walter Wozniak – 2006 – 2007; Josie Pettigrew – 2005 – 2007.

Priscilla Zellner Neal – 2003 – 2007; Carol Kopczynski; Margaret Jaenecke; Linda Hankinson; Margaret Cheeley – 2004 – 2007; John & Violet Kolecki – 2006 – 2007; Marilyn Lasky – 2004 – 2007; Dale Rogers - 2004 – 2007; Carl Tamburlin – 2005 – 2007; Joann Mis – 2005 – 2007; Stephen Kurbiel; Donald R. MacDonald; William A. Miles; Thomas M. Galdys; James M. Perry; John H. George – 2003 – 2007; Stephen Ash – 2003 – 2007; Daniel Bille – 2003 – 2007; Peter Smolinski – 2004 – 2007; John & Violet Kolecki – 2006 – 2008.

Student Volunteers of the Year(s), in recognition of their dedicated Volunteer Service to the North Tonawanda History Museum: Jessica Brant – 2006 – 2007  (NTHS); Marcus Brant – 2006 – 2007 (SUNYAB); Jamie Martin  (Bryant & Stratton); Carla Wokersien (Daemen College); Dana Herman  (Starpoint Central High School).

Cultural, Educational, & Community  Partners of the Year, in recognition of their support, advice and collaborative assistance to the North Tonawanda History Museum: North Tonawanda Public Library – 2003 – 2007; SUNYAB School of Architecture & Planning – 2006 – 2007; SUNYAB  Alpha Phi Omega – Epson Sigma Chapter – 2006 – 2007; Buffalo State College Volunteer & Learning Service Center – 2006 – 2007; RSVP Program of Niagara County – 2004 – 2007; Bryant & Stratton; Daemen College; Alterra Sterling House; North Gate Health Care Center; DeGraff Skilled Nursing Facility; North Tonawanda Parks & Recreation Dept.; Tonawanda Future Business Leaders; North Tonawanda High School National Honor Society; B.P.O. Elks Lodge 860; Sutherland Lodge FAM #826; The Riviera Theatre; American Legion Post #264 Band; North Tonawanda Auxiliary Police.

Donors & Benefactors of the Year, in recognition of their dedication and support of the North Tonawanda History Museum: John & Violet Kolecki, James A. Maglisceau, George & Marilyn Soemann – 2003 – 2007; The Kopczynski Family – 2003 – 2007; Niagara County Legislature; Senator George D. Maziarz – 2003 – 2007; Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation – 2004 – 2007.

In addition, in recognition of their significant contributions to the creation and development of the North Tonawanda History Museum, Honorary Life Member status will be awarded to:  Cosimo Capozzi and Lawrence V. Soos.

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 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Museum Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Wednesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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 will be publishing a stand alone index for its first full-length book, "North Tonawanda:  The Lumber City."  The 428-page hardcover book is available directly from the Museum, at the North Tonawanda Public Library, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Gift Shop, the DeGraff Memorial Hospital GIft Shop, Budwey's, Pioneer Printers, and at the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Gift Shop. It sells for $34.95 locally. Originally intended as a 6x9" 325 page book with an index, with the contributions of information from its constituents, the book project grew into a 7x10" 428 page book without the index.  We intended from the beginning to keep the price affordable, hoping at first to have the smaller size at a $29.95 cover price.  The publisher of the present book required a $39.95 price for the completed project.  Orders made direct to the publisher or through book shops for the hardcover book are $39.95.   With an index included, the cost of the book would have been considerably more.  Realizing that not all purchasers would need an index, it was decided to retain the affordable price and produce a separate index later. 

The Museum offers the book for $34.95 directly and will mail it anywhere in the United States for an extra $4.  To date, only a few requests have come in for an index, but it has been the intention from the beginning to produce an index for the first book and for the next three that are planned, and ultimately for one index to cover all four.  The stand alone index will be published locally for the History Museum by Pioneer Printers, the official printer of the North Tonawanda History Museum.  Museum representatives anticipate that the index will sell for $10.  Advance orders will be accepted for the index and will be mailed out for $1 additional or you will be called to pick it up.  It is hoped to be released in the first quarter of 2008.

Residents and former residents are encouraged to dig out the family and individual historical photos and records and all historical material they have collected on the history of North Tonawanda.  If you prefer not to donate your originals, History Museum volunteers will copy and scan them and return them safely to the owners.  The materials will be used in completing the next three full-length books.  History Museum researchers are already gathering additional materials and working to fine tune facts for future volumes.  We have already begun drafting all three.

“North Tonawanda:  Historic Treasures” will focus on buildings, homes, and other sites in the city.  A 2009 release date is anticipated.  “North Tonawanda:  Its People” will focus on the stories of the people who have lived in or were born in North Tonawanda and their accomplishments.  A 2010 release date is anticipated.  “North Tonawanda:  Lumber Capital of the World” will focus on the lumber industry of North Tonawanda.  A 2011 release date is anticipated.  “North Tonawanda:  Industrial Center” will be released hopefully in 2012.

Patron sponsorships for the publication of these four books will be accepted as they were for the first full-length book.   For $100, a patron will be listed in the book of their choice as a patron and receive a copy of the book upon release.  For $175, a patron will be listed in the two books of their choice and receive a copy of each upon release.  For $250, a patron will be listed in three books of their choice and receive a copy of each upon release.  For $300, a patron will be listed in all four books and receive a copy of each upon release.  The copies included in the patron arrangement may also be donated in the name of the patron to area schools or the North Tonawanda Public Library or others at the donor’s request.   The cover price for the books will not be official until the total number of pages for each is established.  However, those wishing to make advance orders for “North Tonawanda:  Historic Treasures” may do so for a $35 donation per book.  The price may later be increased due to length and increased production costs for future purchasers but initial advance orders at the $35 price will be honored with no increase.

The Museum accepts Master Card and Visa orders and will mail any of its publications to addresses anywhere in the world.

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 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Museum Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Wednesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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 Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum has elected its officers for 2008:

President:  John H. George, Ed.D., of North Tonawanda, retired long-time Superintendent of Schools, North Tonawanda City School District.  Dr. George served on the Board of Trustees for the North Tonawanda Public Library for 19 years, serving also as its president, and was a member of the Optimist Club of the Tonawandas.  He also served on the Niagara County Legislature for three years. He will be in his second term as President of the History Museum’s Board of Trustees, having served as a member of the Advisory Committee form October 2003 until January 2006.  He has been a member of the Lumber City History Center Committee since 2005.  He served as Chair of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.  As President, he is a member of all Museum committees.

Vice President:  William A. Miles, of Tonawanda, Manager of Information Technology for Transitional Services, Inc, a 32-year member of Sweeney Hose Company and its Chaplain for 18 years.  He is President-elect of the Rotary Club of the Tonawandas, a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Tonawandas, past Canal Fest parade chairman, member of BuglesAcrossAmerica.com, a 51-year member of the sons of the American Legion, Stephen Sikora American Legion Post #1322, also serving as Chaplain.  He previously served on the History Museum’s Advisory Committee and is Working Co-Chair of its Lumber City History Center Committee.  He is also a member of the Museum’s Facilities Committee.  He was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.

Treasurer:  Thomas M. Galdys, of Getzville, a financial advisor and owner of Aurora Financial, Inc.  He is also Vice President-elect of the Exchange Club of the Tonawandas, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas and the Bond Club of Buffalo, the Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball Association and the Mel Ott Little League of Amherst.  He previously served as Associate Treasuer of the History Museum.  He is also a member of the Museum’s Facilities Committee and the Lumber City History Center Committee.  As Treasurer, he will chair the Finance Committee.  He was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.

Secretary:  Donna Zellner Neal, of North Tonawanda, with 40 years of experience in business administration and bookkeeping/accounting, 35 years of experience in public relations, 20 years of experience in fundraising and grant writing, she also has had 45 years of experience in creative writing and has been an active volunteer in numerous Western New York organizations for over 25 years.  She is the History Museum’s founding Director and has served in that role as a volunteer since October 9, 2003.  She has previously served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees from October 9, 2003 through December 31, 2006, and served as Associate Secretary in 2007.  She is a member of the Tonawandas Business & Professional Women’s Club of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda and the DeGraff Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and dozens of area and national historical organizations. She was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.  As Director, she is a member of all Museum committees. 

In addition to the officers, the following were also elected to the Executive Committee for 2008:

Donald R. MacDonald, of North Tonawanda, a Registered Architect in the State of New York and Associate at Trautman Associates Architects and Engineers, with over 45 years of experience in the desing and construction industry of numerous multi-million dollar projects throughout Western New York.  He also serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf.  He is Co-chair of the History Museum’s Facilities Committee and Project Director for the Lumber City History Center project.  He was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.

Stephen Kurbiel, of North Tonawanda, a retired heating contractor and former City plumbing inspector and code enforcement officer.  He is co-chair of the History Museum’s Facilities Committee and a member of the Lumber City History Center Committee.  He was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.

John H. Kolecki, of North Tonawanda, a retired educator and former Niagara County Legislator.  He is also the author of two books about growing up in North Tonawanda’s Polish community.  He is a member of the Facilities Committee and the Lumber City History Center Committee.  He was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.

James M. Perry, Esq., of North Tonawanda, an attorney.  He is a member of the Lumber City History Center Committee.  He was a member of the Museum’s Operations & Finance Committee in 2007.