Cultural Alliance of Niagara, Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda, Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, Project Pride, Oliver Street Pride, Western New York Association of Historical Agencies, Upstate History Alliance, American Association for State & Local History, Seaway Trail, Inc., Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier, Niagara County Federation of Historical Societies, Erie County Historical Federation, Doors Open Niagara and the Bi-National Tourism Alliance!!

THE BALLAD OF JIM HURTUBISE

The North Tonawanda History Museum is seeking information on the story behind a 45 record, “The Ballad of Jim Hurtubise (believed created by Dopey Duncan)” recorded by Dee Dee and the Bee Bee’s on the Malvern Music Co. label. Malvern is an inner ring suburb of Philadelphia, PA.

Museum representatives are seeking readers’ assistance in answering some questions about the recording, such as whether Dee Dee is Dopey Duncan and whether he was the owner/operator of Dopey Duncan’s Auto Building and Repair Shop in Malvern—and what was his connection to North Tonawanda’s Jim Hurtubise.

Also hoped to be determined is the date of release of the recording, whether it was a retail or commercial release, and where was it available (i.e. locally, at Indianapolis, or ?), and was it for sale or used as a promotional item.

Jim Hurtubise, whose nickname was Hercules, was a champion automobile race car driver, establishing a fine record nationally until he was seriously injured and burned in a racing accident. It is said that he instructed his doctors to mold his badly burned hands into a position so that they could hold a steering wheel and went on to resume his career.

Jim had been born on December 5, 1932, in North Tonawanda. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in the early 1950s. While stationed in Tampa, Florida, he became interested in stock car races there. His first car was a 1934 Ford coupe, which bore the number “56.” He kept that number for the rest of his life.

Jim built a 1937 Ford 2-door in 1955 and raced with it at the Merrittville, Lancaster, Akron, and Cuba Lake speedways. He also raced in Rochester at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.

His first win was recorded at Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Ontario, on June 18, 1955. Many more wins followed.

Jim had worked at American District Steam on Bryant Street, but his new passion for racing caused him, with his chief mechanic Lee Bruss, to move to California in February 1956 in order to race all year round.

In 1956 Jim won features in his home-built vehicle, with even better results in 1957, the year he was elevated to “superstar” status alongside Parnelli Jones and Roger McCluskey. Jim was leading the IMCA point standings in 1959 when USAV star Johnny Thomson was injured in a sprint car. Thomson’s car owner, Art Lathrop, asked Jim to leave IMCA and fill in for Thomson while he healed.

In his third championship car outing, Jim beat Tony Bettenhausen and A. J. Foyt to win the Sacramento 100. He’d gone from driving at Merrittville to winning the last champ car race of the 1950’s in four years.

In 1960, Jim became a legend. As a rookie at Indianapolis, he broke the track record by nearly two miles per hour. He came very close to being the first to turn a lap in less than one minute. In 1961, he started outside the front row, and in 1963 in the middle of the front row. He often led at Indianapolis, but mechanical breakdowns kept him from the Victory Lane. However, he had become a master of Indy cars on mile dirt tracks, conquering Langhorne, Springfield, and Sacramento!

On June 7, 1964, during the champ car race at Milwaukee, Hurtubise qualified third fasted behind Rodger Ward and A. J. Foyt. They ran nose-to-tail for the first 51 of the 100 laps. Ward’s rear end seized up, Foyt jumped on the brakes, the left front of Jim’s car vaulted Foyt’s tail and Jim rammed the front of stretch wall. Jim’s right-rear tire snapped off and struck him in the chest, breaking three ribs and puncturing a lung. Jim was unconscious as methanol flooded the cockpit, erupting almost immediately into a 1000-degree inferno.

Jim’s brother Pete pulled him from the flaming wreck. Jim almost died, lying in critical condition at the Houston Army Burns Center. Doctors told him that his hands would remain paralyzed by the burns. Jim asked them to mold them to fit around a steering wheel. The doctors did so.

In 1965 Jim returned to racing and was tenth fastest at Indianapolis in Andy Granatelli’s Novi. The car broke down on the first lap. Jim brought in a 4 th place finish at Atlanta and a second at Trenton—but he was no longer the driver he had been before the fire. His 1965 comeback earned him nine awards for bravery, but he was no longer sought by owners of top cars.

He had several disappointing years in 1967, 1968, and 1969, and came home to find a local modified ride to get enough races to quality for the “race of champions” at Langhorne. Known as “the Horne,” that was Jim’s favorite track, having had six wins there during his career.

Jim moved his family to Indianapolis and became a one-time-a-year racer at the Indy 500. In 1971, he crashed in practice. He continued racing but never was able to reach his earlier successes. He moved to Texas and operated a hunting lodge there, displaying his beloved Mallard on the first floor. He died of a heart attack on January 6, 1989.

Despite his limited success, Jim was a fan favorite throughout much of his career, and many described him as an “old style” race car driver. He raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1959-1968 and 1970-1974 seasons, with 97 career starts. He finished in the top ten 38 times, with 4 victories, in 1959 at Sacramento, 1960 at Langhorne, and 1961 and 1962 at Springfield.

Jim was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1993.

Call the Museum at 213-0554 if you can help answer questions about the recording.

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

Representatives of four municipalities in Niagara and Erie Counties and representatives of respective historical groups, three NT churches, and the Elks Lodge to participate in NT History Museum’s

“A Sesquicentennial Celebration – 150 Years of Shared History – 1857 – 2007”

Public invited to celebration of 150 years of shared history: NT, Wheatfield, and the Tonawandas  

The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum extends an invitation to area residents to attend a special celebration of 150 years of the shared history of North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, and the Town and City of Tonawanda. The celebration will be on Saturday, April 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the ballroom of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #860 at 21 Main Street in North Tonawanda. The event is the 3-year-old museum’s 4 th annual “ North Tonawanda’s Birthday Party” celebration. The first such event in 2004 was held in the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center building. The second was held in the DeGraff Community Center. Last year’s was held in the North Tonawanda Senior Center.

The year 2007 marks the 150 th anniversary of what is the modern day City of North Tonawanda officially returning to be part of the Town of Wheatfield. For eight years following April 6, 1857, until North Tonawanda was ready to advance to being an incorporated village on April 24, 1897, it was part of the Town of Wheatfield. The present day Martinsville and Gratwick sections were annexed to North Tonawanda in the ensuing years, but North Tonawanda, and the hamlets of Martinsville and Gratwick, remained part of the Town of Wheatfield as the Village of North Tonawanda, until we made the further advancement in 1897 to becoming an incorporated city. North Tonawanda, as the hamlet of Niagara, had been part of the Town of Wheatfield prior to its inclusion for a brief three-year period in the Village of Tonawanda. The Village of Tonawanda, for three years from January 7, 1854, included three wards on the south side of the Erie Canal/Tonawanda Creek in Erie County and one ward on the north side of the Erie Canal/Tonawanda Creek in Niagara County. This uniquely created village did not have longevity. Although North Tonawanda has always shared much in common with our sister community, since 1903 the City of Tonawanda, our attempt at a joint municipality ended three years later when the State Legislature officially removed North Tonawanda from the Village of Tonawanda, returning North Tonawanda to the Town of Wheatfield.

The event will also celebrate the 3 rd anniversary of the North Tonawanda History Museum’s having been granted its provisional charter as a museum (April 20, 2004); North Tonawanda’s 110 th anniversary as a city on April 24, and its 142 nd anniversary as a village on May 8, the 120 th anniversary of St. Peter’s Lutheran Brethren Church, the 100 th anniversary of Third Presbyterian Church (April 29), and the 60 th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. This year, however, the main focus of the annual celebration will be on the Sesquicentennial Celebration – the 40-year period following the State Legislature’s granting North Tonawanda permission to withdraw from the 3-year-old Village of Tonawanda on April 6, 1857. From 1857 until its incorporation as a Village in its own right, North Tonawanda was governed by the Town of Wheatfield. Until becoming a City, however, the Village was still legally part of the Town of Wheatfield. The Village of Tonawanda North Tonawanda left to join the Town of Wheatfield continued as part of the Town of Tonawanda until its own incorporation as a city in 1903.

The event will also recognize the 186 th anniversary of the separation of Erie County from Niagara County (April 2, 1821), the 171 st anniversary of the formation of the Town of Tonawanda (April 16, 1836) and the Town of Wheatfield (May 20, 1836), the 165 th anniversary of the establishment of Martinsville (April 10, 1842), the 143 rd anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Tonawanda (January 7, 1854), and the 118 th anniversary of Gratwick becoming part of North Tonawanda (January 16, 1891), having been established around 1879.

This year’s host site, the historic Louis F. Eggert-designed Elks Lodge #860 building at 21 Main St., will include a tour of the historic building. The usual birthday cakes provided by Budwey’s Bakery will be part of the festivities, and the Elks Lodge will provide a cash bar and other refreshments. Eggert, whose wife was a member of the Kohler family, also designed NT’s City Hall, the building now known as the Lowry School building, the Evening News building on Webster Street, and Ironton School, among others.

Invited to participate in the celebration are North Tonawanda Mayor Lawrence V. Soos, Wheatfield Supervisor Timothy Demler, North Tonawanda City Historian A. Daniel Bille, Town of Wheatfield Historian Charles Cederman, the new Town of Wheatfield Historical Society, the Historical Society of North German Settlements in Western New York, the North Tonawanda City School District, the North Tonawanda Public Library, Wheatfield schools, City of Tonawanda Mayor Ronald Pilozzi and City Historian Ned Schimminger, the Historical Society of the Tonawandas, Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Ronald Moline and Town Historian John Percy and the Town of Tonawanda-Kenmore Historical Society, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas.

Senator George Maziarz, Peter Smolinski, Niagara County Legislator, and Mayor Soos will present proclamations during the event. A number of exhibits will be included in the event and the Museum’s Vice President, John H. Kolecki, will be present to autograph copies of his two books about growing up in the Polish community of North Tonawanda.

The Museum will have an 1857 map of North Tonawanda and Tonawanda by Tobias Witmer on display. The Museum will have conceptual drawings of part of the future Lumber City History Center on display. Museum Trustees expect to announce their plans for the future tourist attraction/educational center/and welcome center to the Tonawandas and Niagara County at the event.

“Tonawanda Village” had been laid out in 1823, following the establishment of Erie County, by Albert H. Tracy, Charles Townsend, and other Buffalonians. Albert H. Tracey was a Congressman in the 1820s. Because what is now North Tonawanda remained in Niagara County when Erie County was separated from it and created on April 2, 1821, the different county locations would have no doubt have eventually created problems had not a merchants dispute over gravel for street paving caused the “North Side” of Tonawanda Creek to separate from the “South Side” three years after the Village of Tonawanda was incorporated within the Town of Tonawanda in 1854.

From 1836 until 1857, North Tonawanda was part of the Town of Wheatfield, and for the brief 3-year period between 1854 and 1857, following the Village of Tonawanda’s separation from the Town of Tonawanda, it was part of the Village of Tonawanda. The Town of Tonawanda had separated from Buffalo on April 22, 1821.

It was the original intention of Joseph Ellicott, the founder of Batavia, to name that place Bustiville or Bustia in honor of Paul Busti, general agent of the Holland Land Company. When he shared this intention with the proposed honoree, Busti suggested instead that it be named Ellicottstown. Ellicott refused to honor himself in this manner and announced that the place would instead be known as Tonnewanta. However, a few months later, Ellicott began referring to it as Batavia, with a November 7, 1801, letter from him being dated “ Batavia.” Had Ellicott grown attached to the Tonnewanta name, it is unlikely that the present three Tonawandas would have come to have the name.

The event is free and open to the public.

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

Final Opportunity to include family recipes and history in heritage cookbook; Advance orders being accepted

The North Tonawanda History Museum is in the last period of collecting recipes for its second in a series of heritage cookbooks, “ North Tonawanda Families & Their Favorite Recipes.” Museum representatives request additional recipes from North Tonawanda residents and former residents, each including a brief biographical or historical note about the contributing family or individual. Recipes must be submitted prior to May 15 to be included in the book.

The new cookbook will sell for $11 including sales tax. Advance orders may be placed through the Museum. Include $3 for shipping and handling per cookbook. The new cookbook will be released during Canal Fest 2007 as part of its 25 th year celebrations and will be available at the Museum’s booth throughout Canal Fest. Barbara Wickman is Heritage Cookbook Committee Chair.

Recipes and the accompanying notes may be dropped off at or mailed to the Museum at 314 Oliver Street. You may also email them to nthistorymuseum@aol.com.

The Museum’s first book in the series, “ North Tonawanda Ethnic Heritage Cookbook,which was first released for sale on January 6, 2005, has been reprinted four times since. Orders have come in from all over the country, and as far away as Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. The unique cookbook contains 115 recipes, with a variety of ethnic flavoring, each including a historical note about the family or individuals contributing or originating the recipe. A brief history of North Tonawanda is included as well. The cookbook is dedicated to Ken Mountain, a 1958 graduate of North Tonawanda High School, who is a Charter member of the new Museum and a researcher/writer for the Museum. He is credited as having suggested the cookbook project. He is now a resident of Texas. Cynthia Fredricks coordinated the creation and compilation of first the cookbook.

This first cookbook is available at the Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street, or by mail. The cookbooks sell for $7 including tax. Include $3 for shipping and handling for each cookbook for mail orders. The Museum also accepts Master Card and Visa.

Call 213-0554 for further information.

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

History Museum is still accepting participants in garden contest and tour

The North Tonawanda History Museum is still accepting applications from gardeners for participation in the 3 rd annual Museum’s 3 rd annual Historic Gardens Contest and Tour. The contest and tour is open to residents, businesses, and civic and cultural organizations of North Tonawanda. The contest and tour are meant to encourage visitors to the city as well as to serve city residents and to emphasize the enjoyment of history, things historical, and gardening. Individuals interested in participating should note that it is not necessary for the garden(s) to be historic. The property or location or area in which the garden is located and its history can fulfill the historic requirement. Museum representatives will work with homeowners and others wishing to include their garden in the contest and tour. Container gardens or use of flowers or other plantings in areas lacking yard space are also invited to participate.

The 2006 contest and tour resulted in a 32-site tour and a guidebook/map which includes historical trivia about participating sites. A limited number of copies of the 2006 publication are still available for a $1 donation.

The Board of Trustees has appointed the Judging Committee for the 2007 Historic Gardens Contest. Margaret A. Cheeley, Linda Hankinson, and Dale Rogers, all North Tonawanda residents are this year’s judges. Cheeley operates Humphrey House Antiques. Rogers operates Bonterra Landscaping and writes a column in the Tonawanda News, “The Towpath Tiller.” Rogers was the Museum member who originally approached the Board of Trustees with the suggestion of the annual contest and tour.

Major sponsors for this year’s contest are Ascension Industries and Michael Mroczka/RealtyUSA; general sponsors are Brady Electric, Inc., and Andy’s Tree Service; patrons are Graf Land Surveyors, Bonterra Landscaping, Matt’s Music, Niagara County Legislator Peter E. Smolinski, Greater Buffalo Savings Bank, Sherwood Florist, Cipriano, Inc., Realtors, Pioneer Printers; Brick, Brick, and Elmer; and the North Tonawanda Senior Center.

In the 2006 tour, Pane’s Restaurant on Payne Avenue was awarded a certificate of recognition for its floral beautification of its corner location. A group of City Hall employees also were awarded a certificate of recognition for creating a wonderful garden at the entrance to City Hall.

The three top winners each year will each receive a cast bronze plaque for display on their homes. Other prizes will be distributed as well. The 2006 top winners were Daniel E. Brick, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rog, and Robert Mileham.

The North Tonawanda History Museum was awarded an Honorable Mention Award of Merit for development of the Historic Gardens Contest and Tour by the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies in November 2006.

The tour is meant to showcase North Tonawanda and its homes and gardens to residents and non-residents as a wonderful community in which to live and to encourage interest in combining a love of gardening with an interest in history.

Judging is from May 1 through July 31. Resultant tour will run from June 1 through August 31.

Call the Museum at 213-0554 or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com for an application form. You may also download the application form from the Online Museum 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

The Board of Trustees and the Facilities Committee of the 3-year old North Tonawanda History Museum announced at the Saturday, April 21, “4 th Annual North Tonawanda’s Birthday Party” celebration their commitment to acquire 54 Webster Street for the future home of the Lumber City History Center and a Welcome Center to the Twin Cities of North Tonawanda and Tonawanda. The event was held in the historic Louis F. Eggert designed Elks Lodge building at 21 Main Street.

Making the announcement were John H. Kolecki, Vice President; Marilyn Pane Lasky, 2 nd Vice President; Shari L. Kiesow, Treasurer; Donald R. MacDonald and Stephen Kurbiel, Facilities Committee Co-Chairs; and Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal. They were joined by other Trustees and members of the Lumber City History Center Committee.

The North Tonawanda History Museum plans to create a 7-day a week year round active cultural and educational center and a welcome center to the Twin Cities of North Tonawanda and Tonawanda and to Niagara County from its southwestern corner. The Museum’s Board and its Advisory Committee and Lumber City History Center Committee believe that such a facility is needed in order to increase foot traffic in the Downtown Historic District, to take advantage of the heavy influx of tourists already coming to this part of the city because of Gateway Harbor activities and the waterfront amenities in the two cities, and to encourage increased cultural tourism for the city and its other cultural tourism and recreational and business venues: Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, Riviera Theatre, Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier, Ghostlight Theatre, Carnegie Art Center, Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center, Historic DowNTown Shopping District, Gateway Park on the Canal with Canal Fest and free concerts three nights a week, two Niagara River parks, and the initial programming our new Museum has been producing.

This facility also will serve as a catalyst for increased activity on the south side of the Erie Canal, for Tonawanda’s Long Homestead, Historical Society of the Tonawandas’ Museum, and Niawanda Park.

The Erie Canal Federal Heritage corridor is already a tourist destination across the state. The North Tonawanda waterfront on the Erie Canal and Niagara River, along with the adjoining waterfront on both the Canal and River on the Tonawanda side, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually already.

Visitors to the community presently have no central place in which to learn about area attractions and services. Visitors entering Niagara County from the southwestern corner also find no place to learn about the county’s attractions. The city’s economic development arm, the Lumber City Development Corporation, seeks to market the downtown area to small shops and businesses and has obtained funding for improvements to the structures in the downtown area, but the lack of a 7-day a week, year-round active community attraction presently limits the attractiveness to new businesses which require steady foot traffic to be successful.

The Museum’s goal is to create an interactive virtual reality entertainment type museum to attract tourists, as well as to provide a serious history center for residents and students of all ages. The Museum has worked with Hadley Exhibits of Buffalo since November 2003 and with architect Clinton Brown since mid-2005 on conceptual plans for the facility, with the ultimate location not determined until recently.

An exciting history museum of the rich ethnic and industrial heritage of North Tonawanda located on the Erie Canal within walking distance of the Historic Erie Canal, Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, and a lively and thriving waterfront would add to the economic development of the city and serve as a catalyst to draw visitors to the city’s other attractions.

There is no indoor community hub facility in city’s the downtown area open 7 days a week year round to draw residents to restaurants and other shops. The Riviera Theatre, Partners in Art, and Buffalo Suzuki Strings are cultural draws for specific interests with specific times. There is no existing operation to entice visitors to their facilities to remain in the downtown area for longer stays.

The 40,184 square foot facility which was home to the G. C. Murphy’s 5 & 10 cent store for decades is located ideally in the midst of the Historic DowNTown shopping district, across the street from the Historic Riviera Theatre and on the same street with Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center and the Partners in Arts ventures, around the corner from Gateway Harbor and the Erie Canal waterfront, and close to the Niagara River. A 500-car municipal parking lot is across the street from the Manhattan Street entrance to the building, built by the city initially to benefit the downtown shopping district. The rear entrance to the building was constructed to make the building accessible to those parking in the lot when the building was a thriving 5 & 10 cent store. The Manhattan Street side of the building is visible to traffic passing between Buffalo and Niagara Falls on Route 265.

The 3-year-old North Tonawanda History Museum has long outgrown its temporary facilities. The North Tonawanda School District kindly permitted the Museum to temporarily store larger artifacts in an unused building which has since been sold. Collections are stored in multiple locations throughout the city, awaiting a permanent facility for the entire operation.

In order to make the Museum self-supporting from the tourist business it is meant to attract and able to provide quality educational programming for residents and students, an interactive Museum and history center has been envisioned. The location, combined with the vision for an interactive museum and history center, would make it a self-sustaining operation.

However, the Museum’s objective in creating the North Tonawanda History Museum in the first place was to create a tourist attraction that would serve to bring economic benefits to the city and its residents based on its unique and wonderful history. Their efforts to date have restored a sense of historical identity and appreciation for the history of the community that had not heretofore existed.

The North Tonawanda Historic Preservation Commission in November 2006 designated a Downtown Historic District, including all properties on both sides of the streets, including Sweeney Street from Manhattan Street to Oliver Street, Manhattan Street from Sweeney Street to Goundry Street, Webster Street from Sweeney Street to Main Street, Main Street from Sweeney Street to River Road, Tremont Street from Manhattan Street to Oliver Street, Goundry Street from Manhattan Street to Oliver Street.

The Webster-Main-Manhattan shopping district area, with the departure in the 1990s of the anchor business, the G. C. Murphy’s 5 & 10 cent store, has been in decline. A 7-day a week year round anchor is needed to restore foot traffic to the downtown area.

Presently traffic on Route 265 passes through between Buffalo and Niagara Falls without stopping because the Manhattan Street rear entrances to the downtown businesses offers no draw for visitors. A visible visitors center and tourist attraction facility is needed in that area.

Begun as a grassroots effort in September 2003 which has developed a solid base of support and involvement from the community, they have planned from the begining to establish the Lumber City History Center to fill the role of an economic engine for the downtown historic district and Gateway Harbor/Erie Canal area to draw more visitors, stimulate relocation of more services and businesses and the startup of others, including overnight accommodations and a quality restaurant/banquet facility to provide an economic benefit to the city as a whole and to the existing and potential future businesses.

The city has a stagnant and shrinking tax base caused by the loss of industry over the last 50 years. A cultural tourism/recreational tourism focus has developed in the last two decades with no coordinating mechanism.

North Tonawanda’s “main” street, Webster Street, has been very much in need of rebirth. The Museum has been a member of and working with the Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda for the last three years, ascertaining the actual needs of the downtown area and its existing merchants and other businesses. A rebirth to make it once again a place where residents and visitors to the community come for services, entertainment, and meals is key to the city’s economic rebirth as well.

In more recent years, the Riviera Theatre has been brought back to life as a cultural destination by a not-for-profit organization, Buffalo Suzuki Strings has moved to Webster Street to provide musical instruction, Partners in Art, a for-profit business, has become established and grown over the last ten years into an active art training and exhibiting operation, framing shop and plaque making business. Hodgepodge, a unique gift shop, which also includes an eclectic cafe is also part of the mix on the street. All of these are bringing the street back to life slowly. A microbrewery and bed & breakfast are the objective of a tavern owner across the street from 54 Webster, hoping to establish it in the historic building adjacent to 54 Webster.

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

At the North Tonawanda History Museum's Saturday afternoon, April 21, celebration of 150 years of shared history in the Elks Lodge at 21 Main Street, Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal announced the Museum's intentions to pursue the acquisition of 54 Webster Street for the Lumber City History Center and Twin Cities Welcome Center. 

Front row: 2nd Vice President Marilyn Lasky, Director Donna Zellner Neal; Second row: Donald MacDonald, Trustee, John Kolecki, Vice President, and Dennis Ziolkowski, Trustee with our Museum's 3rd Birthday Cake. Taking the photo is Buffalo News photographer Charles Lewis, at lower right.

A "5 & 10” campaign was announced, as the initiation of the fundraising effort to acquire the building.  The first donors to the campaign arrived at the Museum's present location at 314 Oliver Street on Monday morning with their $5.10.  William and Joan Dirmyer of North Tonawanda were at the Saturday event and brought in their donation.  While they were at the Museum, Violet Iadicicco made the second donation of $5.10. 

Flanked by Museum Trustee Dennis Ziolkowski and Treasurer Shari Kiesow, Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal informs guests of the Museum's plans for the building.

Museum representatives expect that many of the area's youth groups who have worked on Museum programs or performed projects for the Museum and area community and civic groups will take on the campaign, saving nickels and dimes or making pledges toward the project or developing activities such as collecting cans and bottles for the deposit for the campaign.

Supported by Carol Kopczynski, Barbara Wickman, Stephen Kurbiel, Marilyn Lasky, Dennis Ziolkowski, Margaret Waite, Shari Kiesow, Donald MacDonald, and John Kolecki, Donna Zellner Neal informs guests of the overall plans for the building. Seated at front is Elks Lodge Historian and Chaplain who is a member of the Museum's Advisory Committee. Kopczynski and Waite were representing the Lumber City History Center Committee. The others are Museum Trustees. Kolecki is Vice President; Lasky is 2nd Vice President; Kiesow is Treasurer.  Museum President John H. George was unable to attend.

Museum representatives are working on grant proposals and planning fundraising events to raise the purchase price.  Neal is working with Facilities Co-Chairs Donald R. MacDonald and Stephen Kurbiel on the actual budget for acquisition.  Letters of support for the project to be located in that building have been received from community leaders.  Neal is asking now for the many hundreds of people who have been patiently awaiting an announcement of an actual location to send in their donations in any size.  Letters of support for the location will also be appreciated.

Town of Wheatfield Supervisor Timothy Demler presented a proclamation in recognition of 150 years of shared history between the Town of Wheatfield and North Tonawanda. North Tonawanda was originally part of the Town of Wheatfield.

Proclamations recognizing 150 years of shared history specifically between North Tonawanda and the Town of Wheatfield, but acknowledging shared history with the City and Town of Tonawanda as well were presented by Senator George D. Maziarz, Niagara County Legislator Peter E. Smolinski, Mayor Lawrence V. Soos of North Tonawanda, Mayor Ronald Pilozzi of the City of Tonawanda, and Town of Wheatfield Supervisor Timothy Demler. William Ross, Vice Chair of the Niagara County Legislature also addressed the audience. Representing Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Ronald Moline was Town of Tonawanda Historian John Percy.

Senator George D. Maziarz speaks to the guests and presented a proclamation in recognition of the anniversaries celebrated at the event. Maziarz is a member of the Museum's Advisory Committee and a member of the Lumber City History Center Committee. Mark Haacker listens.

The format for the kick off of the “5 & 10” campaign follows:

5 & 10 will get you the Lumber City History Center & Twin Cities Welcome Center

Niagara County Legislator Peter E. Smolinski addresses the guests as Legislature Vice Chair William Ross, Museum Director Neal, and Mark Haacker listen. Ross also addressed the group.

Help us raise local funds to show our larger funders and bank that the community wants our project:

54 Webster Street to be restored to look like an early 1920s 5 & 10 cent store, with our beloved Sugar Bowl soda fountain in the 1920s incorporated into the theme, and a Welcome Center (Visitors’ Center) to the Twin Cities of North Tonawanda and North Tonawanda and to Niagara County from its southwestern entrance.

$5.10 as a one-time donation
$5.10 as a monthly donation
$5.10 as a weekly donation

$51 as a one-time donation
$51 as a monthly donation
$51 as a weekly donation
$51 as an annual donation for ______ years

$510 as a one-time donation
$510 as a monthly donation
$510 as an annual donation for ______ years

$5,100 as a one-time donation
$5,100 as an annual donation for ____ years

$51,000 as a one-time donation

$___________Your donation to fit your budget

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

The North Tonawanda History Museum’s 2nd Bi-Annual Historic Treasures Tour is scheduled for Sunday, August 5, 2007, from noon to 6 p.m. Museum representatives report that tickets are selling briskly.

A limited number of tickets will be sold. Tickets sold out quickly for the previous tour; those wishing to participate in the 2007 tour are advised to order their tickets early. It is unlikely that any will be sold on the day of the event. Orders have already come in from out of state. Payment may be made by cash, check, money order, or by Master Card or Visa. Tickets are available at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street, by mail, or may be ordered through the Online Gift Shop at www.nthistorymuseum.org.

Ticket prices are $18 each for the tour of ten of North Tonawanda’s most interesting homes. Museum members pay $15. A membership may be purchased for $10 for seniors; $15 for individuals; $25 for families. A Cinderella carriage ride by Hartland Carriages will be repeated also, at a charge of $5 per person and may be prepaid or purchased at the event if space is available on the carriage.

Tickets will be turned in for the guidebook and map at the starting point for the tour, which will be on the front veranda of the historic Paschal S. Humphrey House at 332 Goundry Street. Refreshments by Gullo’s Macaroni Grill may be purchased and enjoyed in the rear yard of the Humphrey House, surrounded by beautiful gardens which have been part of the Museum’s Historic Gardens Tours for the last three years as well. Restroom facilities and additional refreshments will be available for purchase at the historic Louis F. Eggert designed Elks Lodge #860 building at 21 Main Street. Additional restroom facilities will be available in the original First Baptist Church building at 190 Vandervoort Street, now home to Artistique Photo.

The Elks Lodge building and the Artistique Photo building are participating sites for the tour as well. The Artistique Photo building was designated a local landmark earlier this year by the North Tonawanda Historic Preservation Commission. The Elks Lodge is requesting the local designation.

Each participating site will have an antique automobile in front as a site marker. North Tonawanda resident Richard L. (Joe) Zellner is coordinating the antique automobiles. Sherwood Florist will supply floral accents for each of the participating homes.

On the grounds of the Humphrey House, throughout the event, two local authors will be present offering the books they have published. Diane Meholick, a North Tonawanda native, is the author of “Painting Katherine,” “A Switch in Time,” and “Buffalo Stories.” John H. Kolecki, son of Polish immigrants, is the author of “The Hybraid Amerykaniec Dziadzi” and “On the Avenues and Beyond.”

Joe Cecconi’s Chrysler Complex in Niagara Falls will provide free shuttle van service for tour participants between sites if desired.

Hartland Carriages will provide the horse-drawn Cinderella carriage rides as they did in the 2005 tour.

Major Sponsors for this year’s tour are: Greater Niagara Savings Bank, Cipriano, Inc., Realty, Pioneer Printers, Inc., the law firm of Brick, Brick & Elmer, Humphrey House Antiques, Sherwood Florist, and Joe Cecconi’s Chrysler Complex. Andy’s Tree Service is a general sponsor, and Bonterra Landscaping, Matt’s Music, Graf Land Surveyors, Niagara County Legislator Peter E. Smolinski, Ascension Industries, Michael B. Mroczka/RealtyUSA, and the North Tonawanda Senior Center are patrons for the event.

Marilyn Pane Lasky, chairwoman of this year’s event, is a life-long and 4 th generation resident of North Tonawanda and a Trustee of the North Tonawanda History Museum. Presently a customer service representative for Impressive Imprints, she served previously as Senior Buyer for the Catholic Health System and as Purchasing Director for Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

The event’s primary purpose is to present and promote North Tonawanda as a wonderful city in which to live. North Tonawanda is described by Museum representatives as “the best little city in New York State, with a small town atmosphere and a rich and unique history.”

The North Tonawanda History Museum’s first award-winning historic homes tour, “Historic Treasures Tour 2005,”on July 31, 2005, was attended by visitors from five states, Canada, and all over New York State, with a significant number of visitors expressing serious interest in relocating to North Tonawanda if the appropriate historic home were available for purchase in the future. The 2005 tour was the first of what is planned as a bi-annual event in odd-numbered years, rotating with an ethnic heritage festival in even-numbered years.

The Western New York Association of Historical Agencies awarded the North Tonawanda History Museum an Organizational Award of Merit for excellence in presenting the 2005 tour and the 65-page guidebook created as the passport to the tour which has continued to be purchased by people from all over the country. RealtyUSA was the event’s major sponsor in 2005.

In conjunction with the bi-annual tours, the Museum has established a North Tonawanda History Museum Historic Treasures Recognition Plaque program. Cast bronze plaques may be purchased through the Museum for installation on historic homes and buildings in the City, including the Humphrey House at 332 Goundry and the Evans/McLean House at 338 Goundry. Contact the Museum or the Online Museum for an order blank.

Contact the Museum at 213-0554 for further information or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com.

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

2007 Haunted Gardens On The EEEErie Canal

The North Tonawanda History Museum’s 2007 HAUNTED GARDENS ON THE EEEErie CANAL will take place on three Saturdays, October 13, 20, and 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. The event will return to the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens, 1825 Sweeney Street.

This year’s event will bring back the popular Haunted Hayride presented by Hartland Carriages, the Haunted Greenhouse with refreshments and gift items for sale, and a new guided Spooky Stroll through the Haunted Gardens.

Officially designated the Adam Gondek Botanical Gardens, the city park was the site of the Museum’s 2005 “13 Historic Ghosts of the Niagara Frontier” event. The event was given a permanent name and format for the 2006 event. However, the October 12, 2006, storm and the resultant closing of city parks caused the cancellation of last year’s event.

Advisors to this year’s event will again be Joann Mis and Carl Tamburlin, who created the scripts, sets, costuming and props for the 2005 events and produced the guided stroll portion. Coordinating the guided stroll for the North Tonawanda History Museum will be Danielle Oney, who created the scripts for the 2006 event. Coordinating the Haunted Hayride and Haunted Greenhouse is Donna Zellner Neal.

Reservations to attend the event will be accepted in advance beginning after Labor Day.

Youth groups and classes and individual youngsters and other volunteers are invited to participate in this year’s event. A number of individuals will be selected to participate as actors in the guided stroll skits, and groups will be formed or existing groups can sign up to create haunted hayride tableaus. The 2005 event included 150 area youngsters who, using their imaginations and creative talents, haunted the hayride route, including such things as a witches’ cauldron, haunted graveyard, and even a dancing ghost.

The earliest individuals to volunteer will have the better selection of parts. The earliest groups to volunteer will have first choice of locations in which to create their part of the haunted hayride—and the first choice on subject matter or focus of their part of the project.

Participants will be required to attend two full rehearsals prior to the October 13 event and may also be required to participate in several additional practice sessions and walk throughs of their own parts. Individuals wishing to participate who are not part of an organized group are also invited to register with the Museum. All efforts will be made to include everyone who is interested in participating in some form in the event. Community service credit is given to all who participate who have need of such projects.

Teachers and youth group leaders are invited to contact the Museum at 213-0554 or by email at nthistorymuseum@aol.com by June 15 expressing early interest in participation.

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

Presentation of Future Museum Home to be Focus of Annual Dinner Meeting

Reservations are being accepted for the North Tonawanda History Museum’s Third Annual Dinner & Meeting 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 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.

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.

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.

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

Guided and self-guided walks and other tours offered in North Tonawanda

The North Tonawanda History Museum is in its 4th year of offering 90-minute history walks. The walks will change from the fixed one-night a week for 16 weeks event presented in 2004, 2005, and 2006, to a “by advance reservation only” event.

Walks may be arranged for groups as small as three people and as large as thirty. Several options are possible on starting points. Walks may be planned around a lunch or dinner stop. Groups of ten and under are $5 for each person. For eleven to thirty walkers, the group rate is $55. Daytime and early evening times available. The walks can be scheduled from May 1 through September 15. Postponements due to rain will be rescheduled.

Call the Museum at 213-0554 to discuss tailoring something for your special event.

The Museum also is hosting its 3rd year of the Historic Gardens Tour. The self-guided tour begins June 1 and runs through August 31. A booklet with maps and historical notes is required for participation in the tour. The booklets will be available at the Museum for a donation of $3.50 beginning on June 1.

A self-guided historic walking & driving tour booklet was created in 2006 as well by Museum staff and includes 81 stopping points. The tour booklet may be obtained for a donation of $2 from the Museum or from the North Tonawanda Public Library. The publication was financed in part with funds from the New York Council for the Humanities, the State affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Tickets are also going quickly for the Museum’s 2nd bi-annual Historic Treasures Tour of the interiors of some of North Tonawanda’s most interesting homes. Tickets for the August 5 event are $18 each and must be purchased in advance.

The Museum was recently honored by the Upstate History Alliance for its guided and self-guided tours. In 2005, the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies recognized them for the first Historic Treasures Tour, and in 2006 for the Historic Gardens tours.

Also available at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street are free pamphlets for the “Tonawandas’ Talking Heritage Tour”, a self-guided radio tour of the Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda and their historical sites. The pamphlets were produced in 2006 by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas’ Tourism Committee, with funding from the Chamber Alliance of NYS, the Niagara Bridge Commission, and the North Tonawanda and Tonawanda Departments of Public Works. The radio tour brochures are also available at the Chamber of Commerce. Portable radios are available for a $1 rental fee and $10 deposit from the Harbor Master on the North Tonawanda side of Gateway Harbor.

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

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