History of the Museum / News Release Archive - June 2005
* Represents newest additions to our Archive
NORth TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM
Telling the Story of Our City’s Rich Ethnic & Industrial Heritage
As a City Located on the Historic Erie Canal & Mighty Niagara River
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
HISTORY MUSEUM ACCEPTING ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SELF-GUIDED TOUR BOOK OF NORth TONAWANDA
the North Tonawanda History Museum is accepting advance sale orders for a self-guided walking/driving tour guide of North Tonawanda’s historic sites. the guidebook will be available August 1. With over 70 pages of historical information, the guidebook will be available at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street, in the Mayor’s office at City Hall, in the offices of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street, and at Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street. It will also be available in the gift shop at the Niagara County Historical Society museum in Lockport. To order, send or deliver a check or money order for $8, plus Niagara County sales tax of $.64 per book. To have the book mailed, include $3 for 1-3 copies for shipping and handling.
the 2006 version of the Polish-American calendar will be available for purchase in the Museum in the next few weeks. Presale orders may also be submitted at $5 plus $.40 sales tax. To have the calendars mailed, include $3 for 1-5 copies for shipping and handling. Last year’s calendars proved so popular the Museum has arranged to have a larger quantity available this year and will have them much earlier than last year.
the Museum’s first in its series of North Tonawanda Heritage Cookbooks, “North Tonawanda Ethnic Heritage Cookbook” is available as well at the Museum, the Mayor’s office, Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, and Hodgepodge. the cookbook, already in its third printing this year, is still being sold at the $6.69 including tax price. Cookbooks will also be available at the Museum’s Canal Fest booth in July.
Recipes are being accepted from residents and former residents for inclusion in the second in the series of North Tonawanda Heritage Cookbooks, North Tonawanda Families and their Favorite Recipes,” which is expected to be ready for Christmas giving. Each recipe must include a paragraph or more of family or individual history. Advance orders are presently being accepted for the new cookbooks at $8, plus $.64 sales tax per book. Shipping and handling for 1-3 books is $3.
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
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
History Museum invites public to discover a North Tonawanda they never knew existed
the North Tonawanda History Museum will host its second season of Seaway Trail Walks on Wednesday evenings beginning at 5 p.m., beginning on June 8 and continuing through September 28. Fees for the walks are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12, and $6 ea. in groups of 15 or more. the Seaway Trail Walks are 90-minute walking tours of historic North Tonawanda, a city whose location at the juncture of the historic Erie Canal with the mighty Niagara River made it a significant industrial center in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
the public is invited to learn about the rich immigrant heritage of “the Lumber Capital of the World,” and see the homes of the lumber barons and other prominent individuals in the city’s history. there are wo rotating walking tours: North Tonawanda’s Industrial Heritage: June 8, 22; July 6, 20; August 3, 17, 31; September 14, 28. North Tonawanda’s Historic Homes: June 15, 29; July 13, 27; August 10, 24, September 7, 21.
Tours begin and end in the parking lot of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 thompson Street. Admission to the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is not included in the fee. Walkers are invited to visit the Carrousel Museum before taking the Seaway Trail Walk. the Carrousel Museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Walkers are also invited to visit the Historic DowNTown North Tonawanda shopping district, a unique eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. they should also plan to stay after the walking tour for a free concert in Gateway Park on the banks of the historic Erie Canal. they may visit the North Tonawanda History Museum at 314 Oliver Street Mondays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., or Fridays 9 to noon. the Museum is also open by appointment. Call 716-213-0554 or 716-692-2681 for further information.
A number of individuals who took the Walks last year later wrote to the Museum thanking the guides for “introducing them to a North Tonawanda they never knew existed.”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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR HAUNTED GARDENS PROJECT SET
ADULT GROUP LEADERS NEEDED
the North Tonawanda History Museum, in collaboration with the Ghostlight theatre and Mason Winfield, will host an organizational meeting in the Ghostlight theatre, 170 Schenck Street, on thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. for Historic Ghosts of the Niagara Frontier in the Haunted Gardens in North Tonawanda, which will take place in the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens on October 14, 21, and 28. the meeting will be an orientation for individuals interested in serving as adult group leaders to coordinate volunteers who will serve as tour guides, moderators, and ghosts. Volunteers wishing to serve as tour guides, moderators, and ghosts are also invited to attend.
Mason Winfield, who is coordinating the research and producing the scripts for the event for the North Tonawanda History Museum and L. Don Swartz of the Ghostlight theatre who will coordinate the actors for the event will outline the event for participants.
Organizational planners are summoning ghosts from all over the Niagara Frontier for the event. Proceeds of the project will be used for the North Tonawanda History Museum’s “the Future of Our Past Capital Fund” for the Museum’s permanent future home.
the North Tonawanda History Museum will also host Mason Winfield’s North Tonawanda Haunted History Ghost Walks, 90-minute walking tours of North Tonawanda’s streets, beginning at 7 p.m. at 314 Oliver Street, Friday, July 15, Saturday, July 16, Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23; $10 adults, $5 kids 7-11, under 7 free. the walks will be part of Canal Fest of the Tonawandas’ week activities. the North Tonawanda History Museum will also host seven additional Mason Winfield’s North Tonawanda Haunted History Ghost Walks on Fridays, September 16 through October 28, also beginning at 7 p.m. at the North Tonawanda History Museum.
Attendees are invited to “Walk on the Dark Side..... into Western New York's hidden history!” the mile-plus walking tours of the city’s streets will feature history, legends, architecture, parapsychology, and….. GHOSTS!
HAUNTED HISTORY GHOST WALKS was founded by Mason Winfield, author of four books: SHADOWS of the WESTERN DOOR (1997); A GHOSthUNTER’S JOURNAL (1999); SPIRITS of the GREAT HILL (2001); HAUNTED PLACES of WESTERN NEW YORK (2003). Mason Winfield and his research associates also present their Ghost Walks in East Aurora, Allentown, Buffalo, Lewiston, and Niagara Falls.
Call (716) 213-0554 or 655-6663 to confirm North Tonawanda walks. Changes are possible due to weather! For additional information, call the Museum at 213-0554 or e-mail to nthistorymuseum@aol.com. Visit www.masonwinfield.com for information on other Ghost Walks. All walks are at your own risk.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 to 9 p.m., thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
History Museum Receives 1931 Clock from Member in the State of Washington
the North Tonawanda History Museum recently accepted a mantel clock with a plaque on it which read, “From the Students of N.T.H.S. 1931”. the clock was purchased for the Museum on Ebay.com by Museum member Nancy Robinson of Freeland, Washington. A former North Tonawanda resident, Nancy came to North Tonawanda recently to visit the new Museum.
You can view the clock at any time by visiting our New Additions to Actual Museum Collections Section HERE.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 to 9 p.m., thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
History Museum Community Relations Committee to Meet thursday
the North Tonawanda History Museum Community Relations Committee will meet at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street on thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. Individuals wishing to assist with Museum events are invited to attend. Membership is not required. Students are also invited to participate. Events to be discussed at this month’s meeting are the June 16 Annual Meeting & Dinner; Canal Fest week participation (July 17-24); the July 31 Historic Treasures Tour of ten historic homes, five churches, and four historic sites and the related activities in historic Pine Woods Park that day; and the October 14, 21, and 28 Historic Ghosts of the Niagara Frontier in the Haunted Gardens. For information, call the Museum at 213-0554 or e-mail at 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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 to 9 p.m., thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Family Donates Items from City’s Oldest Barber’s Life to History Museum
the North Tonawanda History Museum has accepted the donation of a wonderful collection of items pertaining to the life of Albert and Mary Blachowicz and their family. Albert Blachowicz, who passed away at the home of his daughter Delphine in Ocala, Florida, on May 1, would have turned 100 on May 22. Included in the collection are the barber tools and equipment used by Mr. Blachowicz, who is said to have been the city’s oldest barber. He operated Albert’s Barber Shop for over 25 years at 474 Payne Avenue, corner of Miller Street. His 1937 barber license was included, as well as his fireman’s uniform and his wife Mary’s Grey Lady’s uniform in the collection. Mr. Blachowicz, a lifelong resident of North Tonawanda, had been the oldest parishioner of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. Mr. Blachowicz was proud to tell people that he had been born eight years before the Weston Lumber Fire of 1913 destroyed 9 million board feet of lumber. His daughter, Delphine Blachowicz Herbert, made the donation.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 to 9 p.m., thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Museum representatives to tour proposed future home on Wednesday, June 8
the North Tonawanda History Museum Board of Trustees will host the next in a series of visits to the proposed site of their future interactive museum and history center on the Erie Canal on Wednesday, June 8, at 10 a.m. the site, at 162-184 Sweeney Street, once the home of the Remington Rand printing plant and also at one time the home of the Herschell-Spillman carrousel manufacturing operations, includes the 184 Sweeney Street red brick structure Museum representatives hope to convert into a Lumber City Museum. this portion of the structure was built in 1895 to house the Buffalo-Niagara Electric Railway Powerhouse #4. Before the Powerhouse was built, the site was occupied by a series of shingle mills related to the city’s lumber industry.
Museum representatives are working diligently with city and Niagara County economic development representatives to pull together a total re-use for the entire former manufacturing plant, which is located between Marion Street and the cantilever railroad bridge on Sweeney Street, extending through to Tremont Street.
Expected to tour the site with Museum representatives this week are at least one of several developers who have expressed an interest in the total project, with the Museum as an anchor tenant, representatives of the city’s Lumber City Development Corporation, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, Niagara County Legislator William M. Davignon, Museum architect Clinton Brown, a representative of Hadley Exhibits which will handle the Museum concept, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, and representatives of the Niagara Frontier Antique & Classic Boat Society, which hopes to also participate in the project with a working boat museum.
A suggested combination of loft apartments on the 4 th floor, upscale apartments on the 3 rd floor, a motel operation on the 2 nd floor, and small shops (hair salon, nail salon, sauna) and an upscale coffee shop, are favored by Museum representatives for the structure, with the Museum as anchor tenant. the Boat Society expects to be a tenant of the North Tonawanda History Museum.
the North Tonawanda History Museum hopes to create a tourist attraction facility to supplement the city’s growing tourism industry, a result of its location at the juncture of the historic Erie Canal and the Niagara River. the Museum and boating group expect to share the areas to be dedicated to events and meeting rooms. An additional antique boat museum is also a possibility as part of the project.
the proposed project already has the support of the Lumber City Development Corporation, Congressman thomas Reynolds, Senator George D. Maziarz, Mayor David J. Burgio, the North Tonawanda City School District, the North Tonawanda Public Library, the Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda, the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas and its Tourism Committee.
the North Tonawanda History Museum has established a restricted capital fund, named, “the Future of Our Past,” to raise start-up funds for its initial occupancy and has requested grant funding for a feasibility study, architectural plans, and cost estimates for the Museum portion of the project. Donations to the capital fund are being solicited and Museum representatives hope to encourage additional investors for the commercial development portion of the project to come forward as soon as possible.
the North Tonawanda History Museum began as a grassroots effort on September 10, 2003, as a collaborative effort of Senator George D. Maziarz, Niagara County Legislator William M. Davignon, Mayor David J. Burgio, and Donna Zellner Neal, who has served as volunteer Director since the organization’s inception. the Museum received its Provisional Charter on April 20, 2004, and moved into a storefront at 314 Oliver Street, the use of which has been donated by North Tonawanda businessman, David Zobrist, in August 2004. the Museum has already outgrown the space and is also making use of donated storage areas, courtesy of the North Tonawanda City School District. Museum events and programming have been held in donated facilities, including the City’s Common Council chambers initially, Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center, and the DeGraff Community Center. Museum volunteers carry on a number of programs including walking and driving tours of the city, attempting to turn the entire city into a museum of its history.
the Museum established a web site on October 15, 2003, which has turned into an online museum reaching residents and former residents across the country and around the world.
To view our section on “the Future of Out Past” Capital Fund, please click HERE.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Museum accepting ads in 2nd heritage cookbook
the North Tonawanda History Museum will publish the second in its series of Heritage Cookbooks this year, for release in time for Christmas giving, “North Tonawanda Families & their Favorite Recipes.” We would appreciate receiving favorite family recipes and a paragraph of family or individual history with each recipe for inclusion in the book.
Our first cookbook in the series, “North Tonawanda Ethnic Heritage Cookbook,” released January 6, 2005, is now in its third printing this year!
For the new cookbook, we are accepted a limited number of full-page camera-ready ads (4-1/2” wide x 7-1/4” long) at $65 a page. Cookbooks will sell for $8. You will receive a courtesy copy of the cookbook if you place an ad.
If you are interested in participating with an ad in this cookbook, please send your check and ad to:
North Tonawanda History Museum
314 Oliver Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Call the Museum at 213-0554 if you have any questions.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
FIRST MENTORING SESSION/ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR 2006 EthNIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL PROJECT SET FOR JUNE 21
the North Tonawanda History Museum invites residents and other interested volunteers willing to develop a bi-annual Ethnic Heritage Festival in North Tonawanda to a session beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, at the Museum exploring and explaining folklore, which will be a focus of the Museum’s first Ethnic Heritage Festival on October 7, 2006. A credentialed folklorist, Claire Aubrey, will make the presentation, “What is Folklore,” the first in a series of mentoring consultations provided by a grant from the New York Folklore Society ‘s Technical Assistance Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts. Volunteers wishing to participate in the planning of and actual event are invited to call the Museum for information at 213-0554 or e-mail at 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
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Historic Treasures Tour to feature North Tonawanda’s historic churches and sites, as well as homes.
Museum plans a day to remember for residents and visitors
The North Tonawanda History Museum's first bi-annual North Tonawanda Historic Treasures Tour, the first of which will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2005, which has RealtyUSA as the Major Sponsor, is already attracting visitors to North Tonawanda. “Advance sales began in November, with people driving in from East Aurora, Orchard Park, Williamsville, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Niagara Falls, Grand Island, as well as Kenmore and the Tonawandas to our Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street,” said Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal. “Tickets are by advance sale only and should be ordered early as only 500 will be sold. They are going fast. We even have a large family group coming in from out of state for the tour.”
The event includes a 2-1/2 mile walking and/or driving tour of historic homes and other historic structures in the city. Ten of North Tonawanda’s most fabulously interesting homes, five historical church buildings (Ascension Church, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, First United Methodist Church, North Presbyterian Church, and the former Friedens Church which has been re-used as the Ghostlight Theatre), three of North Tonawanda’s registered historic sites (the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and the Carnegie Arts Center building, and the Riviera Theatre) and the Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier will be included. Tour ticket holders may select the sites they wish to visit on this tour, hopefully wishing to return in 2007 to visit those that time didn’t permit them to visit in 2005. (The Museum is planning a bi-annual Ethnic Heritage Festival for even-numbered years.)
A vintage automobile will be stationed in front of each location as a site marker to facilitate location of the sites by attendees. Tony LaNasa, a North Tonawanda resident, is assisting Museum representatives in coordinating the automobiles.
Horse-drawn Cinderella carriage rides, similar to those used by the wealthy residents of the City in the late 1800's and early 1900's, will be available during the event from Pinewoods Park to the Goundry Street homes and back to the park. Photos of those taking carriage rides may also be purchased as mementos. Rides will be provided by Double T Ranch of East Bethany and will be open to the public during the event, but those holding tickets to the Historic Treasures Tour will be given precedence. Non-ticket holders’ ride fees will be $5 for adults, $3 for children, $10 for a family of 4 plus $1 for each additional family member.
The Shawnee Country Barns Co-Op will provide antiques for the event. Items to be displayed by Co-Op members in the historic homes included in the Tour may be purchased by attendees. Décor items from Hodgepodge, personal photography by Michael Mroczka, and floral display by Hocks Flower Shop will also be displayed in some of the homes.
Martin Wachadlo, an architectural historian and Blasdell resident, has assisted Museum event planners in detailing the architectural histories of the homes. A keepsake guidebook is included in the ticket price for the tour of historical homes and other sites and may be used as a self-guided tour of the City’s historic treasures for return visits to the City.
A courtesy shuttle for elderly or others who find walking between sites a problem and for those not wishing to park and re-park their cars, will also be available, with two special new vans and drivers provided by Keyser Buick of Tonawanda for the day’s event.
Members of the Rotary Club of the Tonawandas will assist Museum representatives as volunteers for the event, as will Greg Burt and Boy Scout Troop 58 from St. Christopher’s Church.
Tickets may be ordered for $18 each or $15 for members of the North Tonawanda History Museum. To include a prepaid a carriage ride with the tour ticket, an additional $5 should be included. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold for the tour. The keepsake guidebook will be included in the ticket price. The guidebooks will be distributed to ticket holders at a registration table in Pinewoods Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the day of the event. Tickets are available at the Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street, open Mondays 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 1 to 5 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., and Fridays 9 to noon; or at Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street, Lovin’ Life, 305 Robinson Street, the Mayor’s Office at City Hall, 216 Payne Avenue, or the offices of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street. To order tickets by mail, send check or money order to the North Tonawanda History Museum, 314 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
Although advance sale tickets must be purchased for participation in the Historic Treasures Tour, the Museum is also planning a daylong combination of events in historic Pinewoods Park for non-ticket holders as well as ticket holders.
There will be a Towpath Tea in the pavilion in the park, presented by Mr.& Mrs. Catering of North Tonawanda. The tea is not included in the ticket price for the Tour, and it will be open to the public as well as to ticket holders. The tea will include a sampling of typical fare from the late 1800's to early 1900's as well as more modern fare. Attendees will pay for their individual choice of food and beverage purchases.
“Yesterday’s News,” Bruce Trombley and Dennis LaFontaine, of Mohawk, New York, folk singers who perform Erie Canal folk songs and other New York State folk songs, will return to North Tonawanda for the event and will perform throughout the day in the park for the benefit of those attending the Towpath Tea and other area residents as well as tour participants. “Yesterday’s News” performed for the Museum in May 2004 in their “Antiques & Things: Auction & Antique Appraisal & Concert” event in the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center. No admission fee will be charged for this part of the event and neighbors and other residents are invited to come to the park to enjoy the Towpath Tea and the Erie Canal music.
Diane Meholick, author of “A Switch in Time,” and “Painting Katherine,” will be present in Pinewoods Park with copies of “Painting Katherine” for sale and will autograph books. Meholick grew up in North Tonawanda. The novel is about Kate Vermay, who inherits an old North Tonawanda Victorian home from her grandmother, Katherine Malloy, and her husband, Vincent, who partners with others to build a grand theatre in North Tonawanda.
Miss Western New York 2005, Lindsay Pratt, a North Tonawanda resident, will greet tour participants at the registration area of Pinewoods Park, as well as those participating in the Towpath Tea. Spirit, the RealtyUSA mascot, will also be in the park that day to greet and entertain youngsters of all ages.
A daylong raffle will also be part of the day’s activities, including the chance to win a St. Francis of Assist indoor/outdoor garden statue and other items.
Hours for the event will be: Registration in historic Pinewoods Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Historic Treasures Tour (admission by ticket only) from noon to 5 p.m., carriage rides and Towpath Tea from noon to 7 p.m.
Betty Brandon is chairing this 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
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
TOWPATH TEA AND ERIE CANAL MUSIC TO BE FEATURED
Historic Treasures Tour to feature North Tonawanda’s historic churches and sites, as well as homes.
Museum plans a day to remember for residents and visitors
A Towpath Tea will be presented by Mr. & Mrs. Catering in the pavilion of historic Pine Woods Park throughout the day during the North Tonawanda History Museum's first bi-annual North Tonawanda Historic Treasures Tour, which will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2005. The tea is not included in the ticket price for the Tour, and it will be open to the public as well as to ticket holders. The tea will include a sampling of typical fare from the late 1800's to early 1900's as well as more modern fare. Attendees will pay for their individual choice of food and beverage purchases.
The a la carte menu will include a variety of tea sandwiches, pure and natural fire house chowder, elegant desserts, and a variety of teas. “The fare will be representative of a tradition said to have been introduced by Queen Catherine of England, wife of King Charles II, in 1662,” noted David Cohen.
RealtyUSA is the event’s Major Sponsor, is already attracting visitors to North Tonawanda. “Advance sales began in November, with people driving in from East Aurora, Orchard Park, Williamsville, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Niagara Falls, Grand Island, as well as Kenmore and the Tonawandas to our Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street,” said Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal. “Tickets are by advance sale only and should be ordered early as only 500 will be sold. They are going fast. We even have a large family group coming in from out of state for the tour.”
Although advance sale tickets must be purchased for participation in the Historic Treasures Tour, the Museum is also planning a daylong combination of events in historic Pinewoods Park for non-ticket holders as well as ticket holders.
“Yesterday’s News,” Bruce Trombley and Dennis LaFontaine, of Mohawk, New York, folk singers who perform Erie Canal folk songs and other New York State folk songs, will return to North Tonawanda for the event and will perform throughout the day in the park for the benefit of those attending the Towpath Tea and other area residents as well as tour participants. “Yesterday’s News” performed for the Museum in May 2004 in their “Antiques & Things: Auction & Antique Appraisal & Concert” event in the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center. No admission fee will be charged for this part of the event and neighbors and other residents are invited to come to the park to enjoy the Towpath Tea and the Erie Canal music.
Diane Meholick, author of “A Switch in Time,” and “Painting Katherine,” will be present in Pinewoods Park with copies of “Painting Katherine” for sale and will autograph books. Meholick grew up in North Tonawanda. The novel is about Kate Vermay, who inherits an old North Tonawanda Victorian home from her grandmother, Katherine Malloy, and her husband, Vincent, who partners with others to build a grand theatre in North Tonawanda.
Miss Western New York 2005, Lindsay Pratt, a North Tonawanda resident, will greet tour participants at the registration area of Pinewoods Park, as well as those participating in the Towpath Tea. Spirit, the RealtyUSA mascot, will also be in the park that day to greet and entertain youngsters of all ages.
A daylong raffle will also be part of the day’s activities, including the chance to win a St. Francis of Assist indoor/outdoor garden statue and other items.
Hours for the event will be: Registration in historic Pinewoods Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Historic Treasures Tour (admission by ticket only) from noon to 5 p.m., carriage rides and Towpath Tea from noon to 7 p.m.
The event includes a 2-1/2 mile walking and/or driving tour of historic homes and other historic structures in the city. Ten of North Tonawanda’s most fabulously interesting homes, five historical church buildings (Ascension Church, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, First United Methodist Church, North Presbyterian Church, and the former Friedens Church which has been re-used as the Ghostlight Theatre), three of North Tonawanda’s registered historic sites (the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and the Carnegie Arts Center building, and the Riviera Theatre) and the Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier will be included. Tour ticket holders may select the sites they wish to visit on this tour, hopefully wishing to return in 2007 to visit those that time didn’t permit them to visit in 2005. (The Museum is planning a bi-annual Ethnic Heritage Festival for even-numbered years.)
A vintage automobile will be stationed in front of each location as a site marker to facilitate location of the sites by attendees. Tony LaNasa, a North Tonawanda resident, is assisting Museum representatives in coordinating the automobiles.
Horse-drawn Cinderella carriage rides, similar to those used by the wealthy residents of the City in the late 1800's and early 1900's, will be available during the event from Pinewoods Park to the Goundry Street homes and back to the park. Photos of those taking carriage rides may also be purchased as mementos. Rides will be provided by Double T Ranch of East Bethany and will be open to the public during the event, but those holding tickets to the Historic Treasures Tour will be given precedence. Non-ticket holders’ ride fees will be $5 for adults, $3 for children, $10 for a family of 4 plus $1 for each additional family member.
The Shawnee Country Barns Co-Op will provide antiques for the event. Items to be displayed by Co-Op members in the historic homes included in the Tour may be purchased by attendees. Décor items from Hodgepodge, personal photography by Michael Mroczka, and floral display by Hocks Flower Shop will also be displayed in some of the homes.
Martin Wachadlo, an architectural historian and Blasdell resident, has assisted Museum event planners in detailing the architectural histories of the homes. A keepsake guidebook is included in the ticket price for the tour of historical homes and other sites and may be used as a self-guided tour of the City’s historic treasures for return visits to the City.
A courtesy shuttle for elderly or others who find walking between sites a problem and for those not wishing to park and re-park their cars, will also be available, with two special new vans and drivers provided by Keyser Buick of Tonawanda for the day’s event.
Members of the Rotary Club of the Tonawandas will assist Museum representatives as volunteers for the event, as will Greg Burt and Boy Scout Troop 58 from St. Christopher’s Church.
Tickets may be ordered for $18 each or $15 for members of the North Tonawanda History Museum. To include a prepaid a carriage ride with the tour ticket, an additional $5 should be included. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold for the tour. The keepsake guidebook will be included in the ticket price. The guidebooks will be distributed to ticket holders at a registration table in Pinewoods Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the day of the event. Tickets are available at the Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street, open Mondays 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 1 to 5 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., and Fridays 9 to noon; or at Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street, Lovin’ Life, 305 Robinson Street, the Mayor’s Office at City Hall, 216 Payne Avenue, or the offices of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street. To order tickets by mail, send check or money order to the North Tonawanda History Museum, 314 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
Betty Brandon is chairing this 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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Tuning Jack for Wurlitzer Organs Donated to North Tonawanda History Museum
A tuning jack for Wurlitzer organs, circa mid to late 1940’s-50’s, has been donated to the North Tonawanda History Museum, for its industrial heritage collection. The tuning jack was donated by North Tonawanda resident Dominic DeMart, a former Wurlitzer employee. A photo of DeMart in 1947 being trained by John Srackta was also donated.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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Antique Boat Show features “ Buffalo Built Boats and Marine Engine”
The Niagara Frontier Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society will hold their 28 th annual antique boat show at the Buffalo Launch Club on September 10, 2005. This year the Club will feature and highlight the “story of the boat builders and marine engine manufacturers of the Western New York region”. The Club is asking for help from the public for information, photos, movies, literature and folklore on any of the companies.
Working in conjunction the Lower Lakes Historical Society and the North Tonawanda History Museum, all the information will be preserved for public display now and in the future
We are asking to scan photos and catalogs. Original material will returned to owner. Folklore and verbal history is encouraged and will be recorded. If you or your family worked at one of these companies, we would like to hear your story. We are also interested in any pleasure boating pictures and information of the region.
Recently located and copied were almost 400 pictures of the Richardson Boat Company from 1920’s to 1960’s. Since most of the company records were destroyed, this is major find.
We are seeking information on the following companies.
Richardson Boat Company
Sterling Marine Engine
Niagara Marine Engine
Buffalo Engine
Elliott Boat Company
Mang Boats of Niagara Falls
Jafco Seamaster Boats
Swan Marine
Peerless Marine Engine
Cayuga Boat Company
Custom Craft Boats
Niagara Motor Boat Company
Peterson Boat Company
Buffalo Marine Mart
Bison Shipyard
Contact Tom Frauenheim 873-8288; Rich DeGlopper 976-7390: Jerry Ciesielski 892-8366
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
POLISH-AMERICAN CALENDARS ARE IN FOR 2006 AT HISTORY MUSEUM
Due to significant demand for the 2005 Polish-American Calendars, the North Tonawanda History Museum has already stocked a much larger quantity of the 2006 calendars by Don Samull, known as Polonia’s “calendar man.” The calendars include a fact-a-day and a recipe-a-month, all focusing on Polish-American traditions and history. This year’s calendar includes information on the art of wycinanki: Polish paper cut-outs. A description of the “calendar man” is also included in this year’s calendar. Samull has been producing the calendar annually for many years.
Calendars are available for $6 plus tax at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street, at Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street, and are also available by mail or through the Museum’s on-line gift shop at www.nthistorymuseum.org. For mail orders, add $3 for 1-3 calendars 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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
North Tonawanda History Museum Board Announcements
The North Tonawanda History Museum Board of Trustees, at its June 2 meeting at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street, named two additional Trustees, an additional Advisory Committee member, and a Trustee Emeritus.
Paul A. Rumbold, Jr., a 5 th generation descendent of the Wagenschuetz family, who served on the original steering committee to establish the Museum beginning in September 2003 and became its Founding President on October 9, 2003, a post he held until April 2004, was named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of the extensive time and commitment extended in the Museum’s infancy. Rumbold had previously also been named an Honorary Charter Life Member and continues as a member of the Advisory Committee. Rumbold, with his father, former Mayor Paul A. Rumbold, Sr., operated Wagenschuetz Hardware at 230 Oliver Street from October 1973, following the death of Melvin F. Wagenschuetz, through October 2, 1999. They celebrated the business’s 100 th anniversary in 1993 with a 2-week celebration. When they closed the business, a 106-year reign as a staple in the Tonawandas was gone forever. The store had always been known for its rare items, with chowder pots one of the more popular oddities. Rumbold joins Kay Learned as a Trustee Emeritus. Learned assumed the Presidency from Rumbold and continues to take an active role as Trustee Emeritus. The press of business obligations and the extremely heavy load of responsibilities faced by the fledgling Board of Trustees necessitated both Rumbold and Learned stepping down to enable individuals with the necessary time to replace them.
Margaret A. Waite, Library Director, North Tonawanda Public Library, was named to the Advisory Committee, joining former Library Director, Daniel Killian, who has served in that capacity since the inception of the Museum organization.
Two additions were named to the Board of Trustees: Joyce M. Santiago, a North Tonawanda resident, who is Insurance Administrator for the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Project Pride, the Meadow Home School Association, and Literacy Volunteers. She has served as President of both the Meadow Home School Association and Literacy Volunteers.
Paula M. Belair, a North Tonawanda resident, who p rior to moving to North Tonawanda, lived in Scranton, PA. She retired as a Children’s Librarian from the Scranton Public Library in December 2003. At the library, she read to over 3,000 children and parents each year (both outreach and in-library story hours). She has served on the Boards of Directors of the Pennsylvania Library Association - Northeast Chapter, (serving as Chair, Vice Chair, and Membership Chair), the Pennsylvania Reading Association, the Robert Dale Chorale (serving on the publicity committee and advertising committee), the Singers Guild of Scranton/Choral Society of North East Pennsylvania (serving as chorus president). Since moving to North Tonawanda, she has served as a volunteer monthly reader at North Tonawanda Head Start, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, and as adjunct faculty at Medaille College.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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Together Again – Teacher And Student Share Memories Of School Days in Tonawanda at Kiwanis Club Meeting
North Tonawanda History Museum volunteer Director Donna Zellner Neal was the guest speaker for the Kiwanis Club of the Tonawandas luncheon on Thursday, June 9, at the Knights of Columbus, 55 Main Street, Tonawanda.
Present at the meeting as well were Kiwanis members, Richard E. Perry and Margaret A. Waite. Margaret was appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Museum at the June 2 meeting of the Board of Trustees and has been working closely with Museum representatives since she became Library Director of the North Tonawanda Public Library earlier this year, succeeding Daniel Killian, who has served, and continues to do so, on the Museum’s Advisory Committee since its first weeks as an interest group in the fall of 2003.
Mr. Perry, retired from decades of service in the Tonawanda City School District was Mrs. Neal’s teacher. Mrs. Neal is a 1958 graduate of Tonawanda High School and was class valedictorian. Mr. Perry and Mrs. Neal enjoyed reminiscing about their shared years in the school district as teacher and student.
Also present at the meeting was Kiwanis member Jay Holler, who is President of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Prior to the initiation of the effort to establish the North Tonawanda History Museum, Mrs. Neal served on the Board of Trustees of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas.
In her message to the attendees, Mrs. Neal gave an outline of the development of and progress of the Museum as well as the plans for its future permanent home at 184 Sweeney Street in the former Remington Rand complex. She informed the group that the proposed commercial development component of the project for that site is also being promulgated by the Museum. The entire project has generated enthusiastic support from the Lumber City Development Corp., the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, the Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda, Project Pride, the North Tonawanda City School District, the North Tonawanda Public Library, and the elected officials representing NorthTonawanda at all levels. Grant applications to fund a necessary feasibility study for the Museum portion of the project have been submitted. The Niagara Frontier Antique & Classic Boat Society will become a tenant of the North Tonawanda History Museum, presenting a working boat museum. A possible third boat-history related museum may also be part of the project.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 1 to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Additional Entries Sought For “The Future Of Our Past” Logo Design Contest
In conjunction with plans for the future permanent home of the North Tonawanda History Museum, the Board of Trustees is offering residents and former residents of North Tonawanda the opportunity to create a permanent logo for the Museum. “ The Future of Our Past” Logo Design Contest is open to residents of North Tonawanda. Entrants will compete to have their original design become the official logo of the North Tonawanda History Museum. The public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite design at a time and location to be announced later.
The North Tonawanda History Museum belongs to the residents and former residents of North Tonawanda who treasure the City's history. Museum programming and plans for the Museum's future have all been based on input from the community since the first interest group meeting in September 2003. The contest is a follow up to the contest sponsored by the Museum earlier this year for North Tonawanda school students. This contest resulted in 79 entries, with wonderful artwork coming in from all North Tonawanda School District elementary and middle schools and from St. Mark's Lutheran School. There were four winning entries in this contest, which generated ideas which led to the motto, “The Future of Our Past.” The entries in this first contest were actual works of art rather than logos per se.
The mission of the North Tonawanda History Museum is to assemble, preserve, protect, and exhibit collections pertaining to the history of North Tonawanda, its people and community life, focusing especially on our rich immigrant heritage and role as an important shipping and manufacturing center strategically located on the historic Erie Canal and the Niagara River in the 19th and 20th centuries. As a research and educational institution, we plan to be both an active participant in the historical and cultural tourism focus of North Tonawanda and a focal point for students of all ages to participate in historical studies and activities of the City.
Following are the specifications for entries:
- The design must include the words North Tonawanda History Museum and our motto, “The Future of Our Past.”
- No more than four colors may be used in addition to black and white.
- The design must reproduce plainly in black and white/grayscale and at various sizes for letterheads, posters, signs, etc.
- The work must be original. NO use of copy-written designs or characters.
- The design must be free of small “details,” but be eye-catching and able to represent the history and culture of North Tonawanda as well as of the Museum itself.
- Participants may submit more than one design for consideration. The entry/processing fee is $5 per entry.
- Entrants must submit a printed color copy and jpg or gif file of their design as well as a brief explanation of their design as it relates to the Museum and history and culture of North Tonawanda.
- All entries become the sole property of the North Tonawanda History Museum without limitation or restriction and will not be returned.
The winner will receive a $100 Savings Bond as well as the privilege of having their design become the official logo of the North Tonawanda History Museum. The winner will be announced within thirty days of the date of final submissions. The winning design shall be the sole property of the Museum without limitation or restriction.
Entry forms may be obtained at the North Tonawanda History Museum at 314 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. Call 213-0554 for further information. All entries must be postmarked or hand-delivered by December 31, 2005. To download an entry form for this contest and to view initial submissions, visit the Museum’s website at www.nthistorymuseum.org. The Museum will open up a poll for site visitors to vote for their favorites also when all entries have been received.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 or 692-2681 - 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 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 1 to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Final Call For Entires In North Tonawanda Historic Gardens Contest 2005
The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum is still accepting applications for the North Tonawanda Historic Gardens Contest 2005. The contest is open to residents, businesses, and civic and cultural organizations of North Tonawanda. The contest is meant to encourage visitors to North Tonawanda as well as to serve the city’s residents and to emphasize the enjoyment of history, things historical, and gardening.
The contest is a city wide garden project with a historic them requirement for participation, meant to stimulate residents, businesses, and other organizations to turn the entire city into a garden city for the summer months. Tour maps showing locations of participating gardens will be available in July and August at the North Tonawanda History Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street, Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street, Budwey's Supermarket at 535 Division Street, North Tonawanda City Clerk's office, the North Tonawanda Senior Center, the North Tonawanda Public Library, the Office of the Mayor in City Hall at 216 Payne Avenue, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street.
The specifications for entries are: The garden must include a historic theme of any kind. Use of your imagination is encouraged! The garden must be in the front yard and visible from the street so that elderly or handicapped individuals may view and enjoy the gardens from their vehicles and to avoid bringing strangers into your personal areas. A written description of the garden's theme should be included on the entry form. Individuals with special gardens in the rear or side yards wishing to participate in a separate category must make their garden(s) open to the public on Sunday afternoons during July and August from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded in both categories, front yard and private yard, based on: most creative design, m ost artistic design, most original design, best historic theme, most colorful garden, and best of show.
Application forms area available at the Museum at 314 Oliver Street or call 213-0554 for further information or to have an application form mailed. All entries must be postmarked or hand delivered by June 30, 2005 to participate in the contest. To download an entry form for this contest, visit the Museum website 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
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Area Businesses Join forces with new Museum to promote NorthTonawanda’s history
Museum plans a day to remember for residents and visitors
RealtyUSA is the major sponsor for the North Tonawanda History Museum’s July 31 Historic Treasures Tour 2005. The event will begin in historic Pine Woods Park on Niagara Street between Pine Woods Drive and Thompson Street.
A Towpath Tea will be presented by North Tonawanda’s Mr. & Mrs. Catering in the pavilion of historic Pine Woods Park throughout the day during the Museum's first bi-annual North Tonawanda Historic Treasures Tour. The tea is not included in the ticket price for the Tour, and it will be open to the public as well as to ticket holders. The tea will include a sampling of typical fare from the late 1800's to early 1900's as well as more modern fare. Attendees will pay for their individual choice of food and beverage purchases. The a la carte menu will include a variety of tea sandwiches, pure and natural fire house chowder, elegant desserts, and a variety of teas. “The fare will be representative of a tradition said to have been introduced by Queen Catherine of England, wife of King Charles II, in 1662,” noted David Cohen.
The Shawnee Country Barns Co-Op, of Wheatfield,will provide antiques for the event. Items to be displayed by Co-Op members in the historic homes included in the Tour may be purchased by attendees. Décor items from Hodgepodge, and floral displays by Hocks Flower Shop, Floral Accents, both of North Tonawanda, and Flowers by Diane, of Wheatfield, will also be displayed in some of the homes and available for purchase the day of the event.
The event has already attracting visitors to North Tonawanda. “Advance sales began in November, with people driving in from East Aurora, Orchard Park, Williamsville, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Niagara Falls, Grand Island, as well as Kenmore and the Tonawandas to our Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street,” said Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal. “Tickets are by advance sale only and should be ordered early as only 500 will be sold. They are going fast. We even have a large family group coming in from out of state for the tour.”
Although advance sale tickets must be purchased for participation in the Historic Treasures Tour, the Museum is also planning a daylong combination of events in historic Pine Woods Park for non-ticket holders as well as ticket holders.
“Yesterday’s News,” Bruce Trombley and Dennis LaFontaine, of Mohawk, New York, folk singers who perform Erie Canal folk songs and other New York State folk songs, will return to North Tonawanda for the event and will perform throughout the day in the park for the benefit of those attending the Towpath Tea and other area residents as well as tour participants. “Yesterday’s News” performed for the Museum in May 2004 in their “Antiques & Things: Auction & Antique Appraisal & Concert” event in the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center. No admission fee will be charged for this part of the event and neighbors and other residents are invited to come to the park to enjoy the Towpath Tea and the Erie Canal music. The duo’s CD’s will be available for purchase at the event as well.
Two North Tonawanda authors will participate in the day’s events.
Diane Meholick, author of “A Switch in Time,” and “Painting Katherine,” will be present in historic Pine Woods Park, for a book signing of copies of “Painting Katherine” Meholick grew up in North Tonawanda. The novel is about Kate Vermay, who inherits an old North Tonawanda Victorian home from her grandmother, Katherine Malloy, and her husband, Vincent, who partners with others to build a grand theatre in North Tonawanda.
Peter Jehrio, author of books, “ Niagara by Rail I, II, and III” and now presenting his fifth 18-month self-published historical photo-essay calendar, “Niagara Frontier Transportation Heritage 2006,” will also participate at the park.
Museum volunteers will be present as well with copies of the first in its series of North Tonawanda Heritage Cookbooks, “ North Tonawanda Ethnic Heritage Cookbook,” and the Polish-American Calendar for 2006 by Don Samull.
Miss Western New York 2005, Lindsay Pratt, a North Tonawanda resident, will greet tour participants at the registration area of Pine Woods Park, as well as those participating in the Towpath Tea. Spirit, the RealtyUSA mascot, will also be in the park that day to greet and entertain youngsters of all ages.
A daylong raffle will also be part of the day’s activities, including the chance to win a St. Francis of Assist indoor/outdoor garden statue and other items.
Hours for the event will be: Registration in historic Pine Woods Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Historic Treasures Tour (admission by ticket only) from noon to 5 p.m., carriage rides and Towpath Tea from noon to 7 p.m.
The event includes a 2-1/2 mile walking and/or driving tour of historic homes and other historic structures in the city. Ten of North Tonawanda’s most fabulously interesting homes, five historical church buildings (Ascension Church, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, First United Methodist Church, North Presbyterian Church, and the former Friedens Church which has been re-used as the Ghostlight Theatre), three of North Tonawanda’s registered historic sites (the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and the Carnegie Arts Center building, and the Riviera Theatre) and the Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier will be included. Tour ticket holders may select the sites they wish to visit on this tour, hopefully wishing to return in 2007 to visit those that time didn’t permit them to visit in 2005. (The Museum is planning a bi-annual Ethnic Heritage Festival for even-numbered years.)
A vintage automobile will be stationed in front of each location as a site marker to facilitate location of the sites by attendees. Tony LaNasa, a North Tonawanda resident, is assisting Museum representatives in coordinating the automobiles.
Horse-drawn Cinderella carriage rides, similar to those used by the wealthy residents of the City in the late 1800's and early 1900's, will be available during the event from Pine Woods Park to the Goundry Street homes and back to the park. Photos of those taking carriage rides may also be purchased as mementos. Rides will be provided by Double T Ranch of East Bethany and will be open to the public during the event, but those holding tickets to the Historic Treasures Tour will be given precedence. Non-ticket holders’ ride fees will be $5 for adults, $3 for children, $10 for a family of 4 plus $1 for each additional family member.
Martin Wachadlo, an architectural historian and Blasdell resident, has assisted Museum event planners in detailing the architectural histories of the homes. A keepsake guidebook is included in the ticket price for the tour of historical homes and other sites and may be used as a self-guided tour of the City’s historic treasures for return visits to the City.
A courtesy shuttle for elderly or others who find walking between sites a problem and for those not wishing to park and re-park their cars, will also be available, with two special new vans and drivers provided by Keyser Buick of Tonawanda for the day’s event.
Members of the Rotary Club of the Tonawandas will assist Museum representatives as volunteers for the event, as will Greg Burt and Boy Scout Troop 58 from St. Christopher’s Church.
Tickets may be ordered for $18 each or $15 for members of the North Tonawanda History Museum. To include a prepaid a carriage ride with the tour ticket, an additional $5 should be included. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold for the tour. The keepsake guidebook will be included in the ticket price. The guidebooks will be distributed to ticket holders at a registration table in Pine Woods Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the day of the event. Tickets are available at the Museum offices at 314 Oliver Street, open Mondays 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 1 to 5 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 5 p.m., and Fridays 9 to noon; or at Hodgepodge at 72 Webster Street, Lovin’ Life, 305 Robinson Street, the Mayor’s Office at City Hall, 216 Payne Avenue, or the offices of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street. To order tickets by mail, send check or money order to the North Tonawanda History Museum, 314 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
Betty Brandon is chairing this 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
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Museum hosting Haunted History Ghost Walks as well as Seaway Trail Walks during Canal Fest
The North Tonawanda History Museum, which hosts Seaway Trail Walks on Wednesday afternoons through September 28, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum parking lot, will also host Mason Winfield’s North Tonawanda Haunted History Ghost Walks, 90-minute walking tours of North Tonawanda’s streets, beginning at 7 p.m. at 314 Oliver Street, Friday, July 15, Saturday, July 16, Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23; $10 adults, $5 kids 7-11, under 7 free. The walks will be part of Canal Fest of the Tonawandas’ week activities. The North Tonawanda History Museum will also host seven additional Mason Winfield’s North Tonawanda Haunted History Ghost Walks on Fridays, September 16 through October 28, also beginning at 7 p.m. at the North Tonawanda History Museum.
Attendees are invited to “Walk on the Dark Side..... into Western New York's hidden history!” The mile-plus walking tours of the city’s streets will feature history, legends, architecture, parapsychology, and….. GHOSTS!
HAUNTED HISTORY GHOST WALKS was founded by Mason Winfield, author of four books: SHADOWS of the WESTERN DOOR (1997); A GHOSTHUNTER’S JOURNAL (1999); SPIRITS of the GREAT HILL (2001); HAUNTED PLACES of WESTERN NEW YORK (2003). Mason Winfield and his research associates also present their Ghost Walks in East Aurora, Allentown, Buffalo, Lewiston, and Niagara Falls.
Call (716) 213-0554 or 655-6663 to confirm North Tonawanda walks. Changes are possible due to weather! For additional information, call the Museum at 213-0554 or e-mail to nthistorymuseum@aol.com. Visit www.masonwinfield.com for information on other Ghost Walks. All walks are at your own risk.
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
Administrative Office: 314 Oliver Street - Mailing Address: 195 Goundry Street
North Tonawanda, New York 14120
(716) 213-0554 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
North Tonawanda History Museum Board Reports on First Year
The Board of Trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum held its first Annual Meeting on Thursday evening, June 16, 2005, at the Elks Club, 20 Main Street, North Tonawanda. A dinner catered by Domenico followed a cash bar.
Annual Reports were submitted to all guests, including the Museum’s first 990 report to the Internal Revenue Service on the financial operations of the new museum. The Annual Report and the full 990 are available for review on the Museum’s website at www.nthistorymuseum.org.
Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal reported on the Museum’s accomplishments and currently planned activities and events. The new Museum averages 200 visitors a month in its startup facilities on Oliver Street, and has had visitors from four different states this month alone. The Museum’s online museum averages 40,000 or more visitors a month. Over 6,500 volunteer hours were contributed in the first partial year of operation in 2004.
Finance Committee member William M. Davignon reported on the Museum’s “The Future of our Past” Capital Fund. The Museum has outgrown its startup facilities and seeks to raise $50,000 as seed money for its project directed at procuring the desired future permanent home.
Certificates of appreciation were on display throughout the evening and then presented for the 22 members of the Museum’s Advisory Committee from 2003-2005. New Advisory Committee member Margaret A. Waite, Library Director of the North Tonawanda Public Library, was introduced at the meeting as well. Certificates were also on display and presented during the evening for the 58 individuals on which Charter Honorary Life Membership was bestowed for their significant contributions to the development and creation of the Museum in its first year. Special recognition was given to the three individuals who, with Mrs. Neal, called the first official meeting of the interest group to start the Museum 22 months ago—Mayor David J. Burgio, Senator George D. Maziarz, and Niagara County Legislator William M. Davignon.
Charter Honorary Life Member Marilyn Soemann was the winner of a 50/50 drawing during the evening. New Trustee, Joyce Santiago, was the winner of a theme basket drawing.
In the photo, Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal makes her report. At the head table in the background: Gail and A. Daniel Bille, North Tonawanda City Historian; William M. Davignon and guest; John P. Zellner Neal; Mrs. Neal; James Ward, representing Senator George D. Maziarz; Donna and Mayor David J. Burgio; and Betty and Donald Brandon. Betty Brandon is the Museum’s President.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
Author Presents Book on History of North Tonawanda’s Bison Shipyard to Museum and City Historian
In a ceremony in the City Hall office of North Tonawanda City Historian, A. Daniel Bille, on Wednesday, June 22, Allen C. Gademsky presented copies of his book, “The Bison Shipyard Story,” to representatives of the North Tonawanda History Museum and the North Tonawanda City Historian’s office.
Mr. Gademsky, now a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, spent several years researching the history of Bison Shipyard’s production, assisted by Mr. Elmer L. Ernst, whose husband had been the Yard Master at the Bison Shipyard, and David Ernst, their son, and Frank H. Ernst, a brother; Richard Perry, who had been employed as a timekeeper for the company, and other local individuals whose family members had worked for the company. He was assisted as well by the Historical Society of the Tonawandas and the North Tonawanda Public Library in his research work
Bison Shipbuilding Corporation receive the first Army/Navy “E” award in 1943. At the time the company employed 800 workers at the Bison Shipyard in North Tonawanda.
The company produced landing craft tanks (LCT’s) during World War II. Bison Shipyard was located on Tonawanda Island.
Mr. Gademsky and his wife Helen also donated ten additional copies of the book to the Museum to be offered for sale to interested individuals. The Gademsky’s also donated a copy of the book to the Historical Society of the Tonawandas as well as furnishing them with ten copies to be offered for sale.
Accepting for the North Tonawanda History Museum were Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal and Trustee Paula Belair. Also present were Museum member John Borycki, who arranged the presentation, and Museum photographer Arlene Stocki McNair.
In the photo: Allen Gademsky autographs a copy of his book as Donna Zellner Neal, A. Daniel Bille, and Paula Belair look on.
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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
History Museum asks for help in identifying individuals in 1945 Company K photos from former North Tonawanda resident
The North Tonawanda History Museum website at www.nthistorymuseum.org includes a developing military heritage section under its Collections category. Museum representatives request the assistance of area residents in identifying some of the individuals in photos recently donated to the Museum by former North Tonawanda resident, Gerald F. Kropp.
Kropp served in Company K, 74 th Regiment, of the New York Guard during World War II. Most of the photos were taken at Camp Smith, with one showing Company K at the entrance to the Tonawanda Armory. Company K was called to active duty in early 1945. The New York Guard included all of New York State. Guard members went to camp two weeks a year, with regiments from all over the State meeting at Camp Smith for military training. The rest of the year they trained at the Tonawanda Armory one weekend a month.
Kropp reports that his name was on the original Brauer Memorial. Although he is now an East Aurora resident, Kropp says he still thinks of North Tonawanda as “home.”
To view the photos, visit the World War II Military Heritage section of the website under Collections. Contact the Museum with information by phone at 213-0554 or by email at 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 or 692-2681 - 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 to 5 p.m., Fridays 9 to noon
Also open by appointment
A coal barn, which is set for demolition in the next few weeks by its owner, Joseph Midura, at 115-10th Avenue, and was built in the early 1800’s, according to North Tonawanda City Engineer Dale Marshall, is the subject of an oral history video completed for the North Tonawanda History Museum by its Oral History Program Coordinator Jason Law, assisted by Museum volunteer Ashley Herman.
Believed to have originally been used as a chicken coop, the structure was later used as a coal barn because the house at
The ashes from the coal stove were removed daily and often used to cover snow and ice in order to assist in melting it and providing traction. A small quantity of coal from the barn was donated to the Museum. Coal was delivered to