Greetings! Binge-listening to Danielle Krysa’s The Jealous Curator podcast on my morning and evening commutes, is a treat. I cannot catch up fast enough. Scrolling all the way back to start at episode one, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the stories of some of her favorite contemporary artists.
Melissa Brown Constance Caldwell
Her interview of artist Debra Broz enchanted me. Nearly five minutes in, the way she described her motivation particularly resonated with what I believe.
Jennifer Nichols Robie Carmina, Doreen Dell, Rebecca Justinger, Kimberly Luangpakdy, Megan MacNeill, Cynthia Van Ness Tuesday 10 am-5 pm Wednesday 10 am-8 pm Thursday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm Sunday 12-5 pm Closed Mondays Wednesday-Saturday: 1-5 pm Starting in January: Extended Library Hours Wednesday Evenings: 6-8 pm Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Members: FREE Children Under 7: FREE Veterans: FREE Children (7-12): $2.50 Adults: $7 Students & Seniors : $5
Carley Jean Hill Laura E. Hubbard John L. Hurley, Jr. Cheryl Lyles Vincent Mancuso
Mark Martin Nancy Redeye Kristin Saperston Mark Severson
The Buffalo History Museum is a private not-for-profit organization tax exempt under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We receive operating support from the County of Erie, the City of Buffalo, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from donors, members and friends.The Buffalo History Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
2
I have that same affinity toward objects and their transformative power to interest, transport, soothe, provoke and change. So, dear Reader, by the time you are enjoying this issue in the comfort of your own home, my home will be filled with the types of treasures Ms. Broz describes.
Coordinator
Steven McCarville - President Greg D. Tranter - Vice President/ President Elect William J. O'Donnell - Vice President Heidi A. Raphael - Vice President Mark V. Taylor - Vice President Cassie Irish - Secretary Philip C. Kadet - Treasurer Alex Gress - Treasurer Elect Gail Amigone Joan Bukowski Anne Conable Daniel S. Dytchkowskyj Ken Friedman
“I love how people love their things. . .people come in when I work as a restorer and they’re like, “This belonged to my greatgrandma or this belonged to my dad. . . but now it’s broken and I love it and it means something to me.’ Loved that idea of all these things, these objects we keep in our lives because they mean something to us. They are a meaning of a person or event or something. . .how objects have meaning.”
I will have placed my little ceramic angels-each holding a letter in “NOEL,” and the plastic mistletoe ball that I carefully restored with fresh glitter and a new bow. These mementos were my maternal grandmother’s. Seeing them in my home helps me to remember experiencing them in hers. I will have also pulled out my paternal grandmother’s recipe card for her peanut butter balls. I have long since memorized and perfected my version of the delightful confection, but the recipe card itself, the object is the touchstone. I see her handwriting, the smudges, and in stirring up each batch, I stir up memories of her and all the times we had. We hope the stories in this newsletter and at the Museum connect to your personal experiences. From our new quilt pieced by local quilters (this issue’s cover photo), to the disarming story of Henry Miller and his beloved overcoat, to the Blennerhasset telescope and its return home, it’s about the meaning of objects. Experiencing history with you is our mission. Happy holidays and history! Melissa Looked at again and again half consciously by a mind thinking of something else, any object mixes itself so profoundly with the stuff of thought that it loses its actual form and recomposes itself a little differently in an ideal shape which haunts the brain when we least expect it. - Virginia Woolf
Linda J. Hunter
This quilt was designed, machine pieced, and hand quilted by members of the following quilt guilds of Western New York during the exhibit Quilts: Techniques and Styles, December 2015 through January 2017. Guild members held “Quilting Bees” within the exhibit each Thursday through Saturday. Hand quilting began April 1, 2016 and was finished August 12, 2016. Binding was made and sewn onto the quilt by the Eden Quilters. The quilt was completed on September 15, 2016. In all, 149 guild members participated in this project in various capacities. The quilt will become part of the permanent collection of The Buffalo History Museum. Participating guilds and the blocks they made (clockwise from top left): Riverlea Quilters Guild, Morning Star Quilt Guild, Clarence Log Cabin Quilters, Southtowns Piecemakers Quilting Guild Inc., Amherst Quilters Guild, Western NY Modern Quilters, Kenan Quilters Guild, Parkside Quilters, Eden Quilters, Twin City Quilters Guild, Quaker Quilters, Orleans County Quilters Guild, Kenmore Quilters Guild, Museum Quilt Guild (Batavia), Kenan Quilters Guild, Crosstown Quilters. Center: Twin City Quilters Guild Special Thanks to Joyce Bruyere • Quilts: Techniques and Styles closes on January 22, 2017.
Have History, Will Travel!
Rebecca Justinger Registrar This overcoat belonged to Henry J. Miller. He was born in Buffalo, NY on January 5, 1903. He moved to North Java, NY with his father, John, to a farm around 1915. He married Doris Brotherton in 1926 and moved to Warsaw, NY, where he raised seven children. Henry worked for the New York State Highway Department for over 40 years and his daughter Sylvia Maguire donated this special overcoat to The Buffalo History Museum in 2006.
Henry Miller and his pet horse Skip.
When Henry was growing up on the farm in North Java, he had a pet horse named Skip. He was very close with his horse and when Skip passed away in 1919, Henry had him made into this overcoat. It was made between 1919 and 1920 by the Crosby Frisian Fur Company located in Rochester, NY. The double breasted, horse hair coat features a fur collar, corded button loops, and a quilted cotton lining. You can see this coat on display at the Museum, until Quilts: Teachniques and Styles closes on January 22, 2017.
Bring a part of The Buffalo History Museum into your classroom by borrowing one of our Museum History Kits. Each themed kit has artifacts, reproductions, placards, and an activity book. Pictured here is our Native American Kit which provides a hands-on experience for students to learn about the Haudenosaunee, People of the Longhouse. Our kits have received rave reviews from both elementary and middle school students, who field-tested the materials. Also available this fall, are our Pioneer Kit and our World War I poster kit.
Pictured right:
OVERCOAT Horse hair/quilted lining Ms. Sylvia Maguire Ca. 1920
Uniquely Buffalo Gifts
buffalohistorystore.org shop here for archived photos
Books. Posters. Jewelry. Toys. Local Artists. Members receive 10% discount on many items. Evening Shopping Hours on Wednesday until 8 p.m. Free & Plentiful Parking. www.facebook.com/TheBuffaloHistoryMuseumShop
3
Join Today! November 26 – December 23, 2016 Holiday collaboration with Oliver’s restaurant. Become a member or gift a membership and receive a $25 Oliver's gift certificate!
December 27 – january 31, 2017 Join TBHM for an exciting year! $17 off memberships through the new year.
Join in person at the Museum or by phone: 873-9644 ext. 318
“You expand your own horizons in a joyful way.”
The Buffalo History Museum’s annual signature program that honors history making individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in their industry.
Coming this spring!
April 21 & May 19
Visit buffalohistory.org for more details
The Buffalo History Museum & Buffalo Jazz Collective Presents:
Jazz on 2 Sundays nd
Dec 11 • Feb 12 • Mar 12 • Apr 9 2:00 pm program - 2:30 pm music
4
– TBHM Docent
The Buffalo History Museum is looking for new docents to join our team. Docents guide our guests through the museum, adding a level of intrigue to our exhibits with unique stories, facts, and activities. As we examine and talk about the artifacts in our exhibits, we learn the stories of people from the past. Experience first-hand the excitement of children, gathering in our replica longhouse, after viewing our historic diorama. Share with visitors the drama of the Pan-Am Exhibition and the assassination of President McKinley. Revel in the architecture of our building and grounds. Linking past and present, a museum docent brings Buffalo history to life. Docents receive one-on-one training, on a flexible schedule. If you would like to learn more about becoming a docent, contact our Education Assistant (tours@ buffalohistory.org). We look forward to hearing from you!
1.
3.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1. Rae Proefrock & Reanna Darone 2. Melissa Brown, Al Parker, John & Carol Kociela, Kristen Saperston 3. Jennifer Lieber Reines & Sara Augspurger 4. Ken Friedman & Chris Greene accepting on behalf of honoree Stanford Lipsey. 5. Mark Filisinger, Brendan Lanighan, Jim Colemon, George Caldwell, John Bacon, Bobby Militello 6. UB interns Kristin Hatch & Emma Bealo 7. Old For Niagara interpretors at Teacher's Night Out 8. Military musicians
5
#FromTheCollection
6
9.
13.
8
10.
14.
11.
12.
15.
9. Brendan Rich, Danielle Rich, Zachary Schneider, Donna Genesky, Maria Corrales 10. Michael & Sandy Starks 11. Chris Jacobs, Rich Wall, Richard Mugel 12. Anna Case, Shelley McKendry, Carley Hill 13. Members of the Battaglia family celebrate the Apostolic Clock. A generous gift from the Estates of Russell L. Battaglia, MD & Jean Wick Battaglia, RN made this exhibit possible. Left to right: Louis, Jim & Thomas. 14 #AdultFieldTrip participants 15. James Anderson promoting TBHM
Due to Blennerhasstt’s involvement with Burr, his house was seized and its contents auctioned. The telescope was eventually purchased by George Justice of Philadelphia. The abandon mansion burned to the ground in 1811. According to Museum records, George Justice’s grandson William G. Justice “deposited” and later “presented” the telescope to the Museum. Justice was a Buffalo business man, City Comptroller and on the Museum’s Board of Managers.
Walt Mayer Director of Museum Collections Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy Anglo-Irish immigrant, and his wife Margaret settled on Belpre Island which is located in the Ohio River near Parkersburg, WV. The coupled had a stately mansion built in 1800 and by accounts furnished it lavishly. Blennerhassett had a keen interest in the sciences and philosophy. Amongst his scientific instruments was a brass telescope made by W. & S. Jones, of London, ca. 1795. In 1805 Blennerhassett became involved with Aaron Burr’s plan, for military action against Spanish territory and for trying to separate territories from the United States.
The State of West Virginia reconstructed the Blennerhassett mansion between 1984 and 1991. Today it is the centerpiece of Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park (BIHSP). Only three objects are known to still exist that were originally in the mansion, the telescope being one of the three. BIHSP approached the Museum in 2005 regarding the possibility that the telescope be deaccessioned to them. At the time it was considered, but no action was taken. They made a second request to acquire the telescope in 2015. Upon further consideration, the Collections Committee of the Board felt that telescope corresponded to the mission of BIHSP and not the mission of the Buffalo History Museum. In August of this year, Steven P. McCarville, president of the Buffalo History Museum’s Board of Mangers delivered the telescope back “home” to BIHSP.
Can YOU identify the people or place in this photo? If so, let us know by emailing ccaldwell@buffalohistory.org and we’ll be in touch. Thanks for your help! Hint: 1983
1. Favorite Artifact: There is a daguerreotype of a Native American (whose identity I no longer recall) in the Library collection that I saw when I took a Museum Preservation and Practice class here in 2010. The reason the piece stayed with me is because I had just started an Industrial Band and was inspired by the piece to take up the stage name deGueherrotype, which I used for 2 or 3 years afterward. 2. Favorite Gift Shop Item: I really enjoy the WNED DVDs. I have always been drawn to learning through the medium of film. Listening and making visual associations always helped me as a kid in school, and the DVDs are a fun way to learn about local history. (Though last year we had Skeleton Key Bottle openers and cork screws, those were really cool). 3. Favorite Historic Era: In the past few years, early 20th century history has really been of interest to me. I began watching silent films in early college and wound up writing my senior paper on the influence actresses in the 1920s had on early feminism and the “New Women” (flappers) of the era. 4. Favorite Museum Event/Program: I like any event where we have a lot of volunteers and everything is really busy. I like events where we get to do something a little bit different, such as work at a bar, or be outside for a while. I love when the Museum is really busy and I hear lots of voices echoing through the halls and State Court. I like the Lincoln Birthday Celebration to break up the winter, and the Cherry Blossom Festival to welcome spring. 5. Most asked question at Guest Services: The number one most asked question at Guest Services is without a doubt, “Do you have a public bathroom?” Outside of that is “What was this building originally?” This is always an interesting question, even if I answer it often. People love to hear the connections, and it opens up a discussion about McKinley and TR. It always surprises people how truly young North Buffalo is, and that just over 100 years ago it was farm land. 6. Tips for touring the Museum: Guests often ask “Where do we start?” I tell them to begin wherever strikes their interest most. Entering through the State Court is a really striking way to begin a day at the Museum. The architecture is astounding and gets one in the spirit of enjoying history. After that, I would suggest they visit the Native American Gallery, and begin the area's story there.
9
Buffalo cards collected and donated by Phyllis Peyton. Her album is out on a counter for anyone to browse. 7. Use our WiFi. The Museum has free wifi throughout our building. Ask for the log-in at the Front Desk or in the Research Library. 8. Check out our new acquisitions. We are always adding to the collection in one way or another. We purchase Buffalorelated books today that we think will answer questions tomorrow and beyond. Maybe we found something that you didn’t know existed. Cynthia Van Ness, MLS Director of Library & Archives If you’re a first-time visitor to the Research Library, it is not immediately apparent what you can do and discover here. So we thought we’d write a list for the neophyte. 1. Look for a relative or ancestor’s obituary. We have a card file with names of people who were listed in obituary columns in Buffalo daily newspapers, 1811-2001. There are about 99,000 names in alphabetical order. While this isn’t every single death reported in almost two centuries of Buffalo newspapers, it is the largest obituary index in Erie County.
9. Look at church records on microfilm. These are important for family history research. New York State did not pass a vital records law until 1880, meaning that there are no government-issued birth certificates, marriage licenses, or death certificates prior to1880. This is where sacramental records come in. We have baptism, marriage, and death records on microfilm from about 180 local congregations, mostly Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Methodist. Special bonus: we also have some cemetery records on microfilm.
10. Pick our brains. Got a Buffalo-area history question or research problem and you don’t know where to start? Our expert librarians are on duty whenever the Research Library is open to the public. While we cannot undertake your research for you, we can identify and pull out relevant books, clippings, 2. Read a newspaper published the day you were born. We atlases, pictures, microfilms, or more, to get you started. We have Buffalo newspapers on microfilm from 1811 to about 2011, don’t always know what the answer is; we know (or work to including Polish and German papers published here. We can figure out) where the answer is. get out your birthday paper, load it on a microfilm readerprinter, and you can make black & white copies from it for The Research Library cares for everything two-dimensional $.25/page. collected by the Museum since 1862, mostly paper-based stuff. This includes books, periodicals, newspapers, letters, diaries, 3. See if we have a picture of the house you grew up in. We personal papers, postcards, photographs, prints, drawings, have about 30,000 house & building photos from Buffalo scrapbooks, microfilms, atlases, maps, pamphlets, and audio& surrounding area. Maybe we have your childhood home or visual material. corner store. The Library is open 4. Figure out where your grandparents lived. If no one can Wednesdays through recall for sure where Grandma & Grandpa lived, come on in Saturdays, 1:00 to and consult our Buffalo city directories. We have one for every 5:00 pm, plus starting year from 1828 to 2001, with a few gaps. in January evening 5. Look at Buffalo & Erie County atlases. We have roughly one hours on Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. per decade from 1850 to 1950, with a few gaps. What’s great No appointments are about them is that they show footprints of individual houses necessary. Admission & buildings that used to be there or might still be there today. You can look at them one by one and see when your house first is free for members and $7 for general. appears, which helps you narrow down when it was built. Questions? Call us at 6. Check our vintage postcards. We have about 8,000 (716) 873-9644 ext. Buffalo picture postcards organized by subject (including many 306 or email library@ duplicates), plus we have a separate album of about 400 buffalohistory.org. 10
The posters created for World War I united hearts and minds behind a common cause. As the world mobilized for war in 1914, these posters mobilized our minds. They were created by some of the world’s greatest illustrators in its time of greatest need. For their importance and their beauty, those with foresight preserved these mass produced masterpieces for future generations. With generous support from the Vukelic Family, over 30 posters in our collection will undergo conservation and framing. The first exhibit opened this year, featuring French posters. In 2017 and 2018, to reflect America’s involvement in the War, we will rotate posters themed on who issued them, such as the Red Cross, Young Men’s Christian Association, government, and other various military branches. World War I is the most recent of major historical engagements to vanish from living or communicative memory. The personal experiences of an entire generation, their memories, emotions, and stories are gone except for what has already been recorded. In their absence, the objects that illuminate these stories bear great importance. Artifacts supplement our understanding of the war and ground the past in authenticity.
6 Tuesday Toddler Story Time, 10 am Bring your little one to our monthly program and spend some quality time at the museum. We will read a book and do a related activity. Members free; museum admission.
3 Tuesday Toddler Story Time, 10 am Bring your little one to our monthly program and spend some quality time at the museum. We will read a book and do a related activity. Members free; museum admission.
7 Wednesday Trailblazing Women: Western New York Connections, 6 pm Maryann Saccomando-Freedman will present on the life of Belva Lockwood: a pioneer in the women’s rights movement, an advocate for peace, the first woman to be admitted to the United States Supreme Court, and a candidate for president. Free.
11 Wednesday Trailblazing Women: Western New York Connections, 6 pm Eva M. Doyle will speak on Shirley Chisolm. Free.
10 Saturday Secrets from the Stacks, 10 am Join Cynthia as she brings out items about weather in Buffalo in this offering of Secrets from the Stacks. Secrets of the Stacks is a one-morning pop-up display of pictures, books, manuscripts, or other items from the Library collection that you can actually sit down with and handle. Free with Museum admission; drop in to the Library any time between 10 am and Noon. 11 Sunday Community Gallery Opening: Lawrence McIntyre, 1-3 pm Bobby Militello plays Brubeck & more! Jazz on Second Sundays, 2 pm talk, 2:30 pm concert One of Buffalo's jazz treasures, Bobby Militello, leads his worldclass quartet in a concert of jazz standards and songs by Dave Brubeck. His quartet includes Bobby Jones on piano, Jim Colemon on bass, and John Bacon, Jr. on drums. Free admission for museum and Buffalo Jazz Collective members, $7.00 General.
15 Sunday Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, 2 pm Join our annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., his life, and his impact to African and American History. Listen to Danielle HolleyWalker, Dean of Howard University School of Law and her talk "The Time is Always Now." Free. 20 M&T Third Friday Inauguration Day Event Throughout the day, stop in to watch a live-stream of the inauguration of our 45th president. 12 pm Swearing in Ceremony, coffee reception to follow 1-3 pm Free Docent-Led Tours 3-4:30 pm Free Kids Activities 25 Wednesday She Sells Sea Shells: The Story of Mary Anning's Fossils, 6 pm Dr. Phil Stokes, Director of Penn Dixie will speak on the life of Mary Anning. First 50 attendees will get a fossil! Members free, museum admission.
1 Wednesday The Rediscover of Buffalo's Pioneering African American Architect: John Brent, 6pm Local historian Christine Parker will screen a short documentary and speak on her research of John E. Brent. Follow her journey from research to publication. Members free, museum admission. 7 Tuesday Toddler Story Time, 10 am Bring your little one to our monthly program and spend some quality time at the museum. We will read a book and do a related activity. Members free; museum admission. 10 Friday National History Day, 10 am-2 pm Buffalo Public School’s local competition. See student’s work under theme of “Taking A Stand.” Projects include exhibits, essays, websites, plays, and documentaries. 12 Sunday President Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration – the longest running in the nation!, 12:30-1:30 pm Join the Buffalo Civil War Roundtable as they celebrate President Lincoln’s Birthday. There will be a short program, a Lincoln orator and birthday cake. Join uniformed reenactors as they perform a rifle salute on the Portico. FREE. Jazz on Second Sundays, 2 pm talk, 2:30 pm concert With the mission of preserving, celebrating, and advancing the rich jazz heritage of Buffalo, NY, the Buffalo Jazz Collective will showcase many of the areas most esteemed jazz musicians. NYC jazz pianist/ composer and Niagara Falls, NY native Pete Malinverni is featured. Members free, museum admission.
14 Wednesday Object Slam: Holidays, 6 pm Share your history with us! All attendees are encouraged to bring one object and share its 3-minute story. Arrive early to pick your time slot. The theme of the evening is 'holidays.' Bring a memento, a photograph, a knick-knack, as long as it has a good story to share! Members free, museum admission
17 M+T Third Friday 1-3 pm Free Docent-Led Tours 3-4:30 pm Free Kids Activities 6 pm Lecture with Dr. Sharon Amos Dr. Sharon Amos will speak on examining the history of African American congregations that occupy former German houses of worship in the Fruit Belt community. FREE.
15 Thursday Canalside Public Meeting, 5:30 pm Come out and participate in a roundtable discussion about heritage planning at Canalside.
22-24 Wednesday – Friday Break Out!, 1-3 pm Stuck inside? Break out of your house and come visit the Museum during your school vacation! We will have plenty of activities. All are welcome to participate. Members free, museum admission.
16 M&T Third Friday 1-¬3 pm Free Docent-Led Tours 3-4:30 pm Free Kids Activities 5:30 Reception We will be accepting the community quilt into the collection. 6 pm Lecture Highlighting the finale of our Quilts: Techniques and Styles exhibit, join Ann R. Emo, Chair and Associate Professor of Theater at SUNY Buffalo State. Ann will talk about how we can take inspiration from objects to inform design and artistry, using a patchwork quilt she found to create costumes for “The Grapes of Wrath.” FREE.
Tuesday 10 am-5 pm Wednesday 10 am-8 pm Thursday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm Sunday 12-5 pm Closed Mondays
Wednesday-Saturday: 1-5 pm
Starting in January: Extended Library Hours Wednesday Evenings: 6-8 pm Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve: Museum Closed Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day: Museum Closed Saturday, December 31, New Year’s Eve: Museum closed Sunday, January 1, New Year’s Day: Museum Closed
*Dates and times subject to change 11
Evening Hours on Wednesday until 8 pm • Free Parking
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BUFFALO, NY PERMIT No. 3626