History of the Museum / News Release Archive - February 2006 * Represents newest additions to our Archive
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!! North Tonawanda Museum Announces History Nights for Spring Season The North Tonawanda History Museum Thursday, invites residents, former residents, and anyone interested in local history to German Heritage Night on Thursday, March 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the North Tonawanda Senior Center, 110 Goundry Street. Fern Suckow of the Historical Society of North German Settlements of Western New York in Bergholz will help us understand the common German heritage of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield. Barbara Wickman will create goodies with recipes from the Wurlitzer Centennial Cookbook of 1956, which includes recipes going back three generations in the Wurlitzer family. Refreshments are free. The March History Night program will also be a belated celebration of National History Day, which is March 11. Special German gift items will be available for purchase, along with other items from the Museum’s gift shop. Thursday, April 20, 2006, will be the Museum’s 3rd annual birthday party for the City – North Tonawanda’s Birthday Party – and will celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Museum itself as a chartered museum, along with other anniversaries. North Tonawanda was incorporated as a village on May 8, 1865(141 years ago), and as a city on April 24, 1897(109 years ago). The North Tonawanda History Museum received its Provisional Charter from the Regents of the State University of New York on April 20, 2004. Also being celebrated at the party are the 100 th anniversary of Riverside Chemical, founded by the Rasch family in 1906; the 100 th anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church, the 85 th anniversary of the Niagara County Historical Society, the 80 th anniversary of the Riviera Theatre, and the 10 th anniversary of Hodgepodge. The party will be in the North Tonawanda Senior Center, 110 Goundry Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Birthday cake from Budwey’s bakery and other refreshments. The public is invited to celebrate together. Those wishing to bring birthday presents for North Tonawanda may bring any artifacts, books, or other materials on the City’s history for donation to the Museum’s collections. You may also bring photos you wish returned, which will be scanned by Museum staff and returned. The annual birthday party is also the Museum’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night, to honor all who have helped in Museum efforts in the last year. Saturday, May 20, 2006 will be the Museum’s 2nd Annual Preservation Month Bus Tour to a historical venue, a collaborative effort this year with the Sanborn Area Historical Society, Historical Society of North German Settlements of Western New York, and the Tonawanda-Kenmore Historical Society, to the Holland Land Office Museum, LeRoy House Museum and the Jell-o Gallery. Lunch is included at the D&R Depot Restaurant. A National Preservation Month Event, Grand Tours will provide the bus transportation. The tour offers a chance to get to know members of the four organizations as well as the opportunity to learn together about the common heritage. Pre-registration is required at $39.50 each. Call the North Tonawanda History Museum at 213-0554 for a reservation form.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 North Tonawanda History Museum, in collaboration with the Sanborn Area Historical Society, the Historical Society of North German Settlements of Western New York, and the Tonawanda-Kenmore Historical Society, is hosting a Preservation Month bus tour on Saturday, May 20. Grand Tours will provide the bus.The tour will pick up registrants at the Sanborn Fire Hall, Wheatfield Senior Center, North Tonawanda History Museum, and the Town of Tonawanda Senior Center, with the first pick up in Sanborn at 8:30 a.m. The tour begins following the arrival by bus at 10 a.m. with a tour of the Holland Land Office Museum, followed by lunch at the D&R Depot Restaurant. Following lunch there will be a tour of the Historic LeRoy House Museum and the Jell-O Gallery. All three museums and the restaurant have gift shop visits as well. Fee for the tour, including bus, admissions, lunch, and all gratuities is $39.50 each. There are three luncheon choices available. Reservation applications are available from all four hosting historical organizations or may be downloaded from the North Tonawanda History Museum website at www.nthistorymuseum.org or a mailed copy may be requested by calling the Museum at 213-0554. The Holland Land Office Museum is a registered National Historic Landmark, erected in 1815. The Birthplace of New York. During the first half of the 19 th century, the Holland Land Company used this historic landmark building. It is owned and maintained by Genesee County. Inside are the artifact collections of the Holland Purchase Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the historic and cultural heritage of this area. The Historic LeRoy House Museum includes three floors of 100 years of history. The Jell-O Gallerytells the history of “ America ’s Most Famous Dessert,” Jell-O, how it was produced, marketed, and enjoyed by millions. The D&R Depot Restaurant is in a former B&O train depot. Preservation Month serves as a showcase for our country’s diverse and unique heritage. Thousands of state and local community groups are honoring their distinct histories this month through various activities and are seeking to bring historic preservation to the forefront of Americans’ daily lives by emphasizing the vital importance of protecting our nation’s past. This first joint bus tour is an effort by four Western New York historical organizations to participate together in celebrating Preservation Month. The North Tonawanda History Museum participated in Preservation Month in May 2005 with a bus tour to the Niagara County Historical Society in Lockport. 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 Collaborates with Sociology Department of Buffalo State College in “Sense of Community Survey” The North Tonawanda History Museum, whose emphasis is on the rich ethnic and industrial heritage of North Tonawanda, announces a “Sense of Community Survey.” The purpose of the survey is to obtain a viable description of the sense of community among residents of North Tonawanda. Specifically, the study will examine social characteristics (such as sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, and educational level) by length of time of the residence in North Tonawanda and to ascertain whether differences exist. The study begins with the proposition: “People who have lived in North Tonawanda for more than five years have more of a sense of community than those who have recently moved to the area.” The survey was created by Dr. Amitra Hodge, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Buffalo State College. Dr. Hodge and her students have been assisting Museum representatives in plans for the first ethnic heritage festival, which is planned for October 7, 2006, in the Sportsplex Complex. Adult residents of North Tonawanda willing to complete the two-page survey may obtain a copy from the Museum at 314 Oliver Street or download one from their website at www.nthistorymuseum.org. Completed surveys should be mailed or delivered to the Museum. Completed surveys should be submitted by May 31.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 seeks owners of Bennett Homes The North Tonawanda History Museum is seeking owners of Bennett-made homes or Bennett-Built homes. The Ray H. Bennett Lumber Company, which was established at Main and Islands Streets in North Tonawanda in 1902, later taking over the former W. G. Palmer Lumber Co. location at 190 Oliver Street at the Erie Railroad crossing, manufactured these packaged homes in North Tonawanda through, and was in business through the end of the 1950’s. Several Museum members are interested in developing an organization, possibly to be named “Bennett Homeowners Association,” to include owners of Bennett homes in the area. Those interested in becoming part of such a group are invited to contact the Museum at 213-0554. These wonderful homes are located all over Western New York —and around the country.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 benefits from Buffalo State College Learning Service Project The North Tonawanda History Museum reports on the successful completion of a learning service project by the 32-member Sociology Department class on Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, under the direction of Dr. Amitra Hodge, Assistant Professor, Sociology, and Coordinator of Women’s Studies Unit, at Buffalo State College. The students worked on creating written essays and artistic renderings on ethnic heritage and culture for the Museum’s souvenir book for the October 7 ethnic heritage festival: “North Tonawanda: A Celebration of Our Diversity!” The first bi-annual festival will be held in the Sportsplex complex at 90 Ridge Road. It will be an all-day event from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Advance sale discounted tickets will be available shortly at the Museum. Additional contributions for the souvenir book will be accepted from area students. Teachers and individual students may contact the Museum for information on requirements. Participants to provide various ethnic foods in the Ethnic Food Court, demonstrations, lectures, and entertainment are now being scheduled for the event.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 Announces Logo Design Winner The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum announces the winning entry in their 2005 contest was created by North Tonawanda resident Daniel Skrok. Based on the motto generated by the Museum’s 2004 logo design contest for city school children, “The Future of Our Past,” Skrok’s entry, in the written description submitted with his entry, “deals with the issue of time. An abstract image of a clock represents not only the past, but also the future of North Tonawanda. It is generalized and therefore will be enjoyed by all demographics and audiences. A clock is also a wonderful symbolic image that will go well with the organization.” A $100 savings bond will be presented to Skrok at the Museum’s March 23 rd German Heritage Night program in the North Tonawanda Senior Center. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. The logo design will be on display during the program. The award presentation will be part of the program which will include the official announcement of the start of the Museum’s capital campaign, “The Future of Our Past,” for the permanent home of what will be called “The Lumber City History Center.” The Museum’s Historic Treasures Recognition Program will also officially begin as part of “The Future of Our Past” capital Campaign.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 Has New German Gift Items Available The North Tonawanda History Museum, whose emphasis is on the rich ethnic and industrial heritage of North Tonawanda, has added a number of German gift items to its gift shop in the Museum and its online gift shop at www.nthistorymuseum.org. Items available include books: “Great German Recipes,” a cookbook; “Say it in German;” “Struwwelpeter,” a children’s story in English; “Children’s Illustrated German Dictionary,” “German Girl and Boy Paper Dolls.” Also available are “German Kitchen” kitchen towels and magnets. Bibs with “Mein Grossvater,” and “Meine Grossmutter,” will soon be available. Also available are many Polish items and kitchen towels and magnets of various ethnicities, as well as historical books and other items.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 Nominated for National Leadership in History Award The North Tonawanda History Museum, which will celebrate its second anniversary as a chartered New York State museum on April 20 at “ North Tonawanda’s Birthday Party!” in the North Tonawanda Senior Center, 110 Goundry Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m., has been nominated for a Leadership in History Award of Merit for organizational general excellence by the American Association for State & Local History. The nomination is for its new and promising ideas, approaches, and innovations. Letters of support were submitted recommending the Museum for the award by Superintendent of Schools Dr. John H. George, Library Director Margaret A. Waite, and North Tonawanda City Historian A. Daniel Bille. Dr. George noted, “For its impact on the school district alone, the North Tonawanda History Museum is deserving of the Organizational Award for General Excellence…. It is particularly in the area of community history and culture that the North Tonawanda History Museum has emerged as an unparalleled resource for our students.” Margaret Waite stated, “The achievements of the North Tonawanda History Museum from its formation in September 2003 to the present and into future planned events are prodigious and impressive…..The volunteer staff has been successful in motivating citizens, business people, community groups, and political representatives to support and assist…..Members of museum staff have the admiration of the community they are striving to ensure a place in history.” Mr. Bille wrote, “The Museum has been accomplishing its stated vision:. “To provide leadership to the North Tonawanda community in the promotion of historic awareness and interpretation of the people’s history in the community” by its many and varied educational programs and activities. Not only do these programs and events speak to the people of North Tonawanda but our local government officials as well. Government decisions made by them no longer require an intense lobbying effort to take history into consideration…..The level of historic awareness could not have been achieved without the North Tonawanda History Museum and is unique web site. The leadership role of the North Tonawanda History Museum has led to the passage of Historic Preservation legislation and the establishment of a Commission to administer the same.”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 North Tonawanda History Museum announces the availability through its gift shop and through its online gift shop of the 113-page book, "The Hybrid Amerykaniec--Dziadzi," by North Tonawanda author John H. Kolecki. John Kolecki, a 4-term Niagara County legislator, 85, was the son of first-generation Polish and Ukrainian immigrants. His parents were unskilled laborers in a new country and the story of his life as a youngster in the multi-cultural melting pot that North Tonawanda was in the early 1900's is a fascinating combination of fact and fiction about growing up Polish American. The book took him seven years to write and is self-published. The book may be purchased at the Museum for $12.50, plus sales tax. Books may be ordered by mail as well for an additional $3 charge for shipping and handling.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 North Tonawanda History Museum, whose emphasis is on the rich ethnic and industrial heritage of North Tonawanda, will host its first German Heritage Night on Thursday, March 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the North Tonawanda Senior Center, 110 Goundry Street. Fern Suckow of the Historical Society of North German Settlements of Western New York in Bergholz will share the German heritage, culture and traditions North Tonawanda shares with the Town of Wheatfield. The program will be a belated celebration of National History Day, which is March 11. There will also be free refreshments created by Museum volunteer Barbara Wickman using both the “Wurlitzer Centennial Cookbook” from 1956 with recipes going back three generations in the Wurlitzer family and from the new “Great German Recipes” book available in the Museum’s gift shop. Items from the Museum gift shop, including a new line of German heritage gift items will be available for purchase at the event. Items available include books: “Great German Recipes,” a cookbook; “Say it in German;” “Struwwelpeter,” a children’s story in English; “Children’s Illustrated German Dictionary,” “German Girl and Boy Paper Dolls.” Also available are “German Kitchen” kitchen towels and magnets, and “Mein Grossvater,” and “Meine Grossmutter.” bibs. In addition to the program, the Museum will formally announce the beginning of its “The Future of Our Past” capital campaign at the event and introduce some of the capital campaign committee members. The campaign’s purpose is to ultimately raise $7 million to provide for the future permanent home of the museum to be known as T HE LUMBER CITY HISTORY CENTER. Also during the event, Paul Kudla will represent Senator George D. Maziarz in presenting a $100 savings bond to the winner of the Museum’s 2005 logo design contest, North Tonawanda resident Daniel Skrok. The bond has been donated by Senator Maziarz, who also is an Honorary Co-Chair of “The Future of Our Past” Capital Campaign Committee. Based on the motto generated by the Museum’s 2004 logo design contest for city school children, “The Future of Our Past,” Skrok’s entry, in the written description submitted with his entry, “deals with the issue of time. An abstract image of a clock represents not only the past, but also the future of North Tonawanda. It is generalized and therefore will be enjoyed by all demographics and audiences. A clock is also a wonderful symbolic image that will go well with the organization.” The logo design will be on display during the program. Also to be announced at the event is The North Tonawanda History Museum Historic Treasures Recognition Program, 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. Although being launched as part of the Museum’s capital campaign, it will be an ongoing Museum 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.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 issues report on progress: North Tonawanda History Museum Saw Increase in Activity in 2005 The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum extends its thanks to the Western New York community for its support of our events and activities during 2005. Although we will celebrate our 2 nd anniversary as a chartered museum on April 20, 2006 , the North Tonawanda History Museum began as an idea on September 10, 2003 , with a mailing list of 79 individuals. Our activities in 2004 were a trial run, attempting to develop our programs and events around the wishes of residents and former residents for the type of museum they wanted us to be. Our second full year of operations was 2005. We are proud to report on significant increases in membership, volunteer staffing, and fundraising. As an emerging organization not yet officially two years old, none of our accomplishments would have been possible without the tremendous volume of volunteer service. We were quite amazed when we tallied up our 2004 volunteer service hours and the figure exceeded 6,000 hours for that first partial year. We are proud to report that 2005 saw us the beneficiary of at least 12,454 hours of volunteer service. These are the hours we can verify, although we know there were many other hours put in at home or other locations by our volunteer corps which they didn’t bother to report. Had we needed to pay these wonderful people for their service as paid employees, we would have required a minimum of $54,000 in 2004. We would have needed $127,454 in 2005 to pay for comparable service! A wonderful thank you from all of us to the hundreds of volunteers, from elementary school students through several individuals approaching 90 years of age; college interns from D’Youville College, Buffalo State College, Niagara University, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Buffalo, St. Rose College in Albany; Canisius College; our dedicated RSVP ladies; our high school students from NTHS, THS, Kenmore East, Kenmore West, Grand Island High School, and Orchard Park High School; and all the wonderful leaders of scouting groups, church youth groups, and other youth groups. You are truly what the North Tonawanda History Museum is all about! Some additional statistics from 2005: Visits to Actual Museum at 314 Oliver Street 1,300 Hits at Online Museum at www.nthistorymuseum.org 480,000 Attendance at 7 history night events 360 Special events attendance: Historic Treasures Tour 2005 750 Historic Gardens Tour 2005 900 13 Historic Ghosts 2005 1,000 Walking tours 350 Volunteer service composition (# of individuals): Community service projects – youth 180 Eagle Scout projects 3 College Learning Service Project (BSC) 32 College Internships 6 College Student Volunteers 7 High School Student Volunteers 52 Middle School, Elementary School, Scout volunteers 83 Youth groups 14 Total volunteer hours 12,454 Newsletters mailed 4,000 Mailing list as of 3/1/06 1,825NORTH 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 North Tonawanda History Museum has received word from Heritage Preservation: The National Institute for Conservation, in Washington, D.C. that the Museum has been determined eligible for the 2006 Conservation Assessment Program (CAP). The Museum will be allocated $6,540 to hire a professional conservator to assess the Museum's collections and a preservation architect to assess the facilities for the future Museum home. Assessors will meet with Museum staff and volunteers, as well as with members of the Board of Trustees, so that everyone will play a part in the CAP assessment and will be invested in carrying out the assessor's recommendations. The Museum will need to match the grant with $610.
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