Spring 2018
CELEBRATING
THE PAN!
“The days are long, but the years are short.” – Gretchen Rubin, author, The Happiness Project
As time seemingly races by faster and faster, Rubin’s mantra resonates with me. February marked the beginning of my twentieth year at the Museum. Melissa Brown Megan MacNeill, Tamara Bdour Robin Foley, Rebecca Justinger, Kimberly Luangpakdy, Megan MacNeill, Mark Sledziewski, 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 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: $10, Students & Seniors : $5
Two decades ago, I answered an advertisement for Registrar at The Buffalo History Museum. I was living in Boston, Massachusetts. I never dreamed I would find a paying job at home in history. While that position was offered to a candidate with commanding experience, Director of Collections, Walt Mayer, would later call with a different opportunity. Erie County granted special project funding for a position to ready the Pan-American collection for the approaching centennial of the 1901 Exposition. While riding the train to Buffalo, I read Robert Rydell’s All the World’s a Fair in preparation for my interview. I had training in collections care and processing, but I really knew nothing about the PanAmerican Exposition. I interviewed with Walt and former executive director, William Siener. As I write, I still feel the flutters I felt that day. Touring the Resource Center- when my chunky heel got stuck in the mezzanine’s grated floor- I kept checking my nerves and emotion. “You don’t have this job. You may never get a job. Don’t get excited. Don’t get excited. Don’t get excited.” COVER IMAGES: Created as color guides by C.Y. Turner, Director of Color, for workers at the Pan-Am, these architectural elevations were recovered from a dumpster in 1902. The elevations shown on the cover have been conserved, matted and framed, and they currently reside at the Resource Center.
Karna Holmes Laura Hubbard John L. Hurley, Jr. Cheryl Lyles Vincent Mancuso
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To honor the start of my new job back in 1998, my mother cross-stitched a verse for me, “Any Museum Can Invite You to Look. A Great One Changes the Way You See.” From my office at the Resource Center, to my office at the Reinstein, to my office in the Pan-Am building, that verse has traveled with me. Whether it’s a colleague, familiar faces like our volunteer Rail Barons, members like Gerry Graziano, or a first time guest, I love to see people excited by the discoveries they make here. Gaining intimacy with this collection has been my privilege, and witnessing our guests interact with our treasures inspires me to continue our work of preserving and collecting Western New York history for generations to come. I have found there’s always more to share and learn about the 1901 Exposition. So, Dear Reader, let’s throw it back to the Pan-Am. Feeling sentimental, Melissa
paint the town
Melanie Perreault Jennifer Liber Raines Nancy Redeye Dionne Williamson
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.
For nearly four years, my role at the Museum was all Pan-Am, all the time. Working through the collection, I truly didn’t recognize the luxury of focused time to become an expert. Working with and sharing the collection taught me almost everything I have come to know about the Exposition. It’s been an enduring love affair.
Join us for the 19th annual
Greg D. Tranter - President Alex Gress - Treasurer Anne Conable - Secretary Mark L. Martin - Vice President Bill O’Donnell - Vice President Mark Taylor - Vice President Cassie Irish - Vice President Immediate Past President: Steven P. McCarville Gaile Amigone Joan M. Bukowski Ken Friedman Carley Jean Hill
I got the job. I moved home. (Literally, moved back in with my parents.)
may 17
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Live Art Auction • Silent Auction
BOOKS • POSTERS • JEWELRY TOYS • LOCAL ARTISTS
Members receive 10% discount on many items. Evening Shopping Hours on Wednesday until 8 pm Free & Plentiful Parking.
Cuisine by Oliver’s $50 members | $75 general | $150 patron For tickets or more information contact Alexis at (716) 873-9644 ext. 318 or agreinert@buffalohistory.org
DID YOU KNOW? -Buffalo welcomed guests to the Pan-American Exposition from May to November 1901. -The Pan-American Exposition occupied approximately 350 acres of land. -Buffalo day was the best attended day of the Pan-American Exposition, attendance records show 162,424 people visited. For more information visit local historian Susan Eck's website; panam1901.org
Rebecca Justinger Registrar Evelyn Rumsey Cary was the daughter of prominent Buffalo resident, Bronson C. Rumsey, a founder of the Buffalo Arts Academy. She was born in Buffalo, married Dr. Charles Cary, and lived in the Rumsey home until her death. Throughout her life, Evelyn was an active member of the Buffalo artistic community, studying with Alfred Quinton Collins at the Buffalo Art Students League, and exhibiting work with the Buffalo Society of Artists and the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. Mrs. Cary was a member of the Board of Women Managers in 1901, and, in 1898, she painted the “Spirit of Niagara,” which became the basis for the poster used to advertise the 1901 Pan-American Exhibition.
The “Spirit of Niagara” oil painting features the symbolic figure of the “Maid of the Mist” rising from Niagara Falls underneath a vibrant rainbow. The image was lithographed in nine colors and 120,962 copies were printed by Gies & Co. of Buffalo, in a large poster size, to advertise the Fair. 1,022,036 3"x5" cards were printed in four colors and 357,000 booklets with the image were printed, bringing the total issue of the poster image to over 1,500,000. Evelyn’s painting became an emblem of the PanAmerican Exposition and “SPIRIT OF NIAGARA” Evelyn Rumsey Cary reproductions of her work Oil on Canvas Framed 41.25” x 35.25” are still being sold today. 1898
OPEN NOW THROUGH 2022
Homeschool
Mondays or thursdays!* Each session will be from 1-3 pm at The Buffalo History Museum To register visit our events calendar at buffalohistory.org
*NEW this season, two class options 3/5 + 3/8 - The War of 1812: A look into the factors leading up 4/23 + 4/26 - The Aftermath of the Civil War: Learn about how the Civil War changed the face of America. to the War of 1812, and its effect on Buffalo Creek. 3/12 + 3/15 - The Erie Canal: Learn about a man-made marvel that changed the face of New York State.
4/30 + 5/3 - The Gilded Age of Buffalo: Buffalo’s explosion of new people and industry following the Civil War.
3/19 + 3/22 - The Music of the Erie Canal: Looking at music through a historical lens with a focus on the Erie Canal.
5/7 + 5/10 - The Industrial Revolution: The technological expansion and changing face of America.
3/26 + 3/29 - The Birth of Buffalo Industry: Learn about the beginning of Buffalo and the influx of peoples and goods to WNY.
5/14 + 5/17 - The Pan-American Exposition: Buffalo at the turn of the century – why it was chosen to be the center of industry.
4/9 + 4/12 - Field Trip to City Hall: Another look at early 5/21 + 5/24 - Field trip to TR Site: A look at our nation post Buffalo industry with some help from our friends at Explore Buffalo. Pan-Am with some help from our friends at Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. 4/16 + 4/19 - The Civil War: An overview of the Civil War and First student $12, additional students $10, series pass $100 , 1 year the Political, Social, and Economic factors leading up to it. family membership included.
Photos by Hector M. Pagan & Grzegorz Pilip
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1. Railbaron - Charlie Neuman 2. Gondola ride by the Bazaar Building 3. Midway- Dreamland 4. Midway- Aeriocycle, Bonner The Equine Wonder, Trip To The Moon 5. TBHM Board Member - Ken Friedman 6. TBHM Executive Director - Melissa Brown 7. TBHM Team Members - Mark Sledziewski, Britt Call, Cynthia Van Ness 8. Museum goers - turned bicyclists 9. Buster Bison tests out our cut-outs
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10. Thurman Thomas signed football raffle winner – Sally Gower
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Cynthia Van Ness, MLS Director of Library & Archives When the Pan-American Exposition closed at midnight on November 2, 1901, then what happened? The process of dismantling Exposition buildings, clearing the grounds, filling in the canals, and subdividing the parcel into streets and house lots did not occur overnight. Today, the former Exposition grounds are completely replaced by residences, business, industrial buildings, and parking lots. Apart from our Museum, built as the New York State Building, no other structures designed and built for the Exposition survive on the Pan-Am grounds. The closest runner-up is the wood frame cottage at 1950 Delaware Avenue, which is now emblazoned with a large “Pan-Am House” sign. This cottage predates the Exposition and was on the grounds when the land was acquired. It was repurposed during the Exposition as part of the Indian Stockade, then returned to private residential use. Here is a chronology of the long process of demolishing the Pan-American: November 2, 1901: Almost 125,000 people witness the closing of the Exposition. Buffalo Morning Express, Nov. 3, 1901 November 9, 1901: The Exposition closes with a $3,000,000 deficit. Literary Digest, Nov. 9, 1901, p. 561. November 15, 1901: Representatives from the Chicago House Wrecking Co. arrive in Buffalo to negotiate a contract to demolish the Exposition. Buffalo Enquirer, Nov. 15, 1901. December, 1901: Chicago House Wrecking Co. bids $132,000 to dismantle the Pan-American, anticipating that the project can be completed in 150 days. The Radford Review, December 15, 1901, p. 36. December, 1901: Many smaller buildings are already salvaged for lumber to satisfy creditors; extensive vandalism of statues and grounds. The Exposition is fenced and guarded to prevent unauthorized entry. Collier’s Weekly, December 28, 1901, pp. 19, 23.
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October, 1902: Chicago House Wrecking Co. predicts that removing all buildings from the grounds of the Exposition will be completed by January 1, 1903. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Oct. 6, 1902. April, 1903: Temple of Music, Ethnology, and Acetylene buildings still standing. About 50 feet of the base of the Electric Tower still standing. The Clay Worker, April 1903, p. 461 April 9, 1903: Chicago House Wrecking Co. employee Bert Marren falls to his death from the Electric Tower. Buffalo Morning Express, April 10, 1903. August, 1903: George W. Jennings assumes the contract from the Chicago House Wrecking Co. to clear the grounds of the Exposition, anticipating that the process will take another year. The Temple of Music is demolished. Buffalo Enquirer, Aug. 1, 1903. February, 1905: John Milburn’s portrait in the Buffalo Club is defaced with a chalk inscription, “For God’s sake, let us forget.” New York Times, Feb. 14, 1905 1909: The S. B. Nye Company begins residential development of the former Exposition grounds between Elmwood, Nottingham, February 26, 1902: Chicago House Wrecking Co., frustrated by Lincoln Parkway, and Amherst Streets, calling the subdivision battles among creditors, withdraws from negotiations to purchase Nye Park. Nye Park: Buffalo's New Residence Section, Pan-American buildings. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Feb. 26, 1902. Overlooking the Park Lake in Beautiful Delaware Park. Buffalo, NY: S.B. Nye Co, 1909. Collection of Rare Book Room, Buffalo & Erie February 28, 1902: Chicago House Wrecking Co. finalizes the County Public library. purchase of the Pan-American buildings for $80,000. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Feb. 28, 1902. March 5, 1902: Chicago House Wrecking Co. begins demolition of the Pan-American. Buffalo Enquirer, March 5, 1902, March 7, 1902: Park Commissioners petition the Buffalo Board of Alderman for a $28,500 appropriation to restore Delaware Park grounds damaged by the Exposition. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, March 7, 1902. March 16, 1902: Grounds littered with the rubble of broken columns, statuary, lamp posts, and carvings. Exposition paths disfigured by mud; canals filled with ice, mud, and chunks of plaster. Buffalo Daily Courier, March 16, 1902. May, 1902: Chicago House Wrecking Co. issues a special Pan-American catalog listing materials available for sale from the Exposition. (This catalog is quite rare and we hope to someday acquire a copy for our collection.) Science & Industry, May, 1902, p. 271. July 1, 1902: After a buyer fails to materialize, the Goddess of Light statue is toppled from the top of the Electric Tower, shattering on the ground. Buffalo Sunday Courier, July 13, 1902. July 1, 1902: Pan-Am Company President John Milburn successfully lobbies Congress to pass the Pan-American Relief bill, which will compensate creditors and bondholders. Buffalo Sunday Courier, July 13, 1902. August, 1902: Amherst Street restored as a public right-of-way. Buildings still standing include the Temple of Music, Ethnology, Liberal Arts, Service, Machinery, Electricity, Acetylene, Emergency Hospital, and Bismarck Café. The Clay Worker, August, 1902, p. 158.
The Library is open Wednesdays, 1-5 pm and 6-8 pm; and 1-5 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. No appointments are necessary. Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
3 Saturday Research to Landmark, 10 am Join Preservation Buffalo Niagara and The Buffalo History Museum as we show you the ropes of nominating an historic property for listing on local, state, or national registers. Cynthia Van Ness, Director of Library and Archives at The Buffalo History Museum will present on how to use the Museum’s resources to research a building’s history and Christiana Limniatis, Director of Preservation Services at PBN, will go over the different types of landmarking available and how to turn your research into a nomination. PBN and Museum Members $10, General Public $20. Visit www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org to register.
by, for, & about women. Although DIVA by DIVA is gender specific, it is not gender exclusive … men like it too! Tickets are $25 and will be sold at the door. For reservations, call the O’Connell & Company Box Office at (716) 848-0800, or purchase online via credit card at www.oconnellandcompany.com. Cash and checks (made out to O’Connell & Company) will be accepted at the door.
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.
28 Wednesday Collecting Series Part 2 - Coins, Harley Spiller, 6 pm Harley J. Spiller will take us on a visceral dive into what it's like to be a collector. He will share insights about collecting protocol and strategy as well as techniques for using collections to foster lifelong learning. Attendees of all ages will be encouraged to handle unique highlights of Spiller's collection, while his lively tales carry you from the from the 11th floor of the Federal Reserve Bank and its rare banknote collection (including some truly bad counterfeits) to downtown Buffalo and its little-known connection to the almighty U.S. dollar. Question and answer and book signing to follow. Members free, museum admission.
7 Wednesday Collecting Series Part 1 – Pan-American Stamps, 6 pm Part one in a new series exploring collecting! Join longtime stamp collector (philatelist) Rick Barrett, as he tells his story of Pan-American Exposition souvenir ‘Cinderella’ stamps, and the two businessmen behind their sales. 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.
10 Saturday Secrets from the Stacks: Women’s History, 10 am- 12 pm Secrets from 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 10:00 am and noon. 11 Sunday Jazz on 2nd Sundays, 2:30 pm We conclude our 2nd Sundays series with New York native and Toronto jazz artist, Pat Labarbera. Museum Members $5, General Public $12. 14 Wednesday Their Great Adventure: WNY Women in WWI, Lecture with Susan Eck, 6 pm WNY women who went abroad were varied in their background and motivations but felt compelled to find a way to help the French and British armies, the Belgian and French refugees, and later the 4.7 million American “Sammies” who joined the war in 1917. Members free, museum admission. 16 Friday M+T Third Friday 1-3 pm - Docent Led Tours - Of both buildings! 3-4:30 pm - Kids Activities 5 pm, Reception, 6 pm Lecture Edward G. Lengel, author of To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne, 1918, and the forthcoming Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Lost Battalion and the Transformation of America, speaks about New York City’s dramatic history in World War I, at home and on the battlefield. $10 Members/ $25 General / $50 VIP. Register online or contact Alexis Greinert, 716-873-9644 ext. 318. 22 Thursday DIVA by DIVA, 6 pm performance DIVA by DIVA, O’Connell & Company’s award winning original show will present “American Patriot…A Woman’s Journey” on Thursday, March 22nd at 6:00PM. This is a special performance that marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State a century after the ratification of the 19th Amendment. DIVA by DIVA is a “Celebration of Women” … with songs, readings, humor and quotes
3 Tuesday - 6 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.
6 Sunday Cherry Blossom Festival: Family Day, 12-3 pm Try your hand at Origami, watch a puppet show, visit an instrument zoo and participate in a Pink parade. Free. 6 Sunday Pan-Am Walking Tour, 1 pm Take a walking tour of the PanAmerican grounds with one of our trained docents. See the fair in a new light! $10. Pre-registration required. A map with historic photos is included. 9 Wednesday Their Great Adventure: WNY Aviators in WWI, Lecture with Susan Eck, 6 pm In a class by themselves, early WNY volunteers for aviation served primarily with the French in the Lafayette Escadrille. Learn how Buffalo’s Aero Club and the Curtiss Aeroplane Company helped move WNY into the forefront of aviation. Members free, museum admission. 18 Friday M+T Third Friday 1-3 pm -Docent Led Tours - Of both buildings! 3-4:30 pm - Kids Activities DOUBLE DECKER SHUTTLE SERVICE
18 Friday -20 Sunday LOTS TO SEE!! PAN-AM WEEKEND! Pan-Am Building- 10 am - 5 pm, Resource Center- 10 am - 5 pm (Resource Center will be open 10 am-8 pm on 18 Friday) Three Days. Two Buildings. Free Admission! Celebrate the 117th anniversary of ‘The Pan’ with three full days of activities. A double decker shuttle will provide free rides between our two buildings. Visit our website for a full schedule!
19 Saturday Secrets from the Stacks: The Pan-American Exposition! 11 Wednesday 10 am-12 pm Their Great Adventure: WNY Men in WWI, Secrets of the Stacks is a one-morning pop-up display Lecture with Susan Eck, 6 pm of pictures, books, manuscripts, or other items from the Library The 'eager' young men went abroad as early as 1915 to volunteer as collection that you can actually sit down with and handle. ambulance drivers with the American Field Service. The 'willing' were Free with Museum admission; drop in to the Library any time career soldiers who were called up immediately when war was declared. between 10:00 am and noon. The 'reluctant' were part of the 2.8 million men called up through the draft, they were young men, and reported for duty when asked, in what 26 Saturday would be an unforgettable introduction to war. Pan-Am Trolley Tour, 10 am-3 pm Members free, museum admission. The tour begins at Forest Lawn, where you will board the Forest Lawn trolley and visit the final resting places of many of the 20 Friday movers and shakers who made the Pan-American exposition happen. M+T Third Friday Have lunch at the Pan-American Brewery, a short tour of the Lafayette Hotel, and the Museum’s Resource Center. The tour ends at Forest 1-3 pm -Docent Led Tours - Of both buildings! Lawn at approximately 3pm. 3-4:30 pm - Kids Activities Meet and park for free at the Margaret L Wendt Archive and Resource Center 1990 Main Street Buffalo, NY. Members $60; General $69 To reserve please visit www.forest-lawn.com or call 716-332-2233 *Dates and times subject to change 1 Tuesday Toddler Story Time, 10 am On social media? Follow us! 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. 2 Wednesday Brews and Booze: A Blossoming Industry in Buffalo, 5 pm Tasting and Panel Discussion. Sample local seasonal drinks and learn about the developing brewing and distilling industry that is growing locally. Featuring Beer, Sake and Gin. Museum Members $15, General Public $20. 5 Saturday Cherry Blossom Festival: Music Day, 11 am - 3 pm The 5th annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival and Music is Art bring Japan Rock musicians ‘The Molice,’ Taiko drummers, haiku, dance, Dj’s and spoken word performers. And of course, pink boat rides. Free.
The Buffalo History Museum @buffalohistorymuseum @BuffaloHistory
NEW PERKS FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS!
Show your membership card at Parkside Meadow and receive
10% off your meal.
Some restrictions apply.
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Evening Hours on Wednesday until 8 pm • Free Parking
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BUFFALO, NY PERMIT No. 3626
PAN-AM
WEEKEND (18-20 MAy)
3 DAYS
2 BUILDINGS
DOUBLE DECKER SHUTTLE SERVICE
LOTS TO SEE!!