North Tonawanda History Museum © History of the Museum / News Release Archive

North Tonawanda History Museum Grants Honorary Charter Life Memberships to Major Initial Supporters

To recognize significant contributions of service, monetary donations, and/or in-kind donations in the start-up phase of the North Tonawanda History Museum, the Board of Trustees at its June 3 meeting has named 28 individuals Honorary Charter Life Members: A. Daniel Bille, John Borycki, Frank Budwey, David J. Burgio, Theresa L. Carpentieri, Penny Creasey, James Douglass, William M. Davignon, Carl Hoover, Thomas M. Jaccarino, John & Alexandra Kopczynski, Thomas Lawrence, Kay Learned, Stephen Litwin, Donna Zellner Neal, John P. Zellner Neal, Timothy J. Neal, George D. Maziarz, Ken Mountain, John S. Olszowka, Ph.D., Rae Proefrock, Paul A. Rumbold, Jr., Lou Santiago, George & Marilyn Soemann, Valerie VanVoorhees, and Barb Wickman. Honorary Life Members will be officially recognized at the Museum's first Annual Meeting in 2005 and will be given preview invitations to future Museum activities.

In other business, the Board of Trustees announced the first person to join the new Museum as a Charter Life Member: Anthony C. Abdulla, a former North Tonawanda resident who now resides in California .

The North Tonawanda History Museum will hold its June Member Meeting on Thursday, June 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the DeGraff Memorial Hospital Board Room, 445 Tremont Street . A planning session will be included for Canal Fest activities. Volunteers wishing to help with the final stages of the Logo Design Contest for NT public, private, & parochial school students and/or the Canal Fest Parade float; and workers to assist with set-up and take-down of the booth or to work an hour or more during any of the 8 days of Canal Fest (July 18-25) are invited to attend the meeting or call 692-2681 or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com . You do not have to be a previous paid member to attend the meeting or to volunteer.

NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM TRUSTEES APPROVE OFFICIAL POLICY STATEMENT ON NORTH TONAWANDA

At the June 3 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum the following official policy statement was approved:

“The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum will encourage and support:

• All reasonable efforts directed at preserving and enhancing the historical character, identity, and integrity of North Tonawanda .

• The economic development, particularly with regard to the developing cultural tourism focus, of North Tonawanda , and especially with regard to the historical heritage of the City.

The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum seeks to play an active role in the creation of sound and reasonable historic preservation legislation by the City of North Tonawanda , including pursuit of Certified Local Government (CLG) status.”

Speaking for the Board of Trustees, Donna Zellner Neal said, “This policy statement reflects our mission and vision statements approved at the February 19 meeting of the Board of Trustees. The official mission statement is:

“The mission of the North Tonawanda History Museum is to assemble, preserve, protect, and exhibit collections pertaining to the history of North Tonawanda, its people and community life, focusing especially on our rich immigrant heritage and role as an important shipping and manufacturing center strategically located on the historic Erie Canal and Niagara River in the 19 th and 20 th centuries. As a research and educational institution, we plan to be both an active participant in the historical and cultural tourism focus of North Tonawanda and a focal point for students of all ages to participate in historical studies and activities of the City.””

Neal continued: “Our official vision statement is: “The North Tonawanda History Museum will provide leadership to the North Tonawanda community in the promotion of historic awareness and interpretation of the people's history in the community.”

Neal was authorized to represent the Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum on any City committees established to create and develop historic preservation legislation or related matters.