Clarence Historical Society 2016

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Hi s t r i c a l S oc i et y of t h e T ow n of Cl a r e nc e

The Historical Society of the Town of Clarence 10465 Main Street P.O. Box 86 Clarence, NY 14031

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Clarence, NY PERMIT #17

10465 Main Street PO Box 86 Clarence, New York 14031-0086

Phone: (716) 759-8575 Email: clarencehistoricalmuseum@gmail.com

Volume 16 Issue 1

Board of Trustees

The Historical Society of the Town of Clarence is a non-profit educational corporation formed to:  Discover, procure and preserve materials relative to civil, literary and ecclesiastical history;  To establish and maintain museums, centers and exhibits of historical memorabilia;  Engage in all manner of historical research, study, exploration, and analysis;  Engage in meetings, field trips and joint activities.

Thomas A. Steffan, President

Sandra Larkin, Treasurer Daniel Gamin

Douglas Larkin

We’re on the Web! www.clarencehistory.com

Howard Payne 10/3/2014 10:54:37 AM

Jon Rothenmeyer

Board Meetings:

Love in February

Thursday Jan. 7, 2016 Thursday Feb. 4, 2016

Mr. & Mrs. H. H. Ebersole

Thursday March 3,2016

Request your presence at the

In This Issue

Marriage of their daughter

President’s Message Genealogy Library News

To

Clarence HS Basketball

Thursday Feb 28,1896 At 7:30 P.M. Clarence Center N,Y.

Welcome history lovers! What are you reading? For me, it’s Ulysses S. Grant, by H.W. Brands. Of course, we all know that his real name was Hiram Ulysses Grant, don’t we? Somehow the initials “H.U.” never made it into history. I think it was destiny that when young Ulysses entered into his freshman year at West Point the roster described him as “U.S.” Grant. Did someone know that he was to become a future Civil War hero and the 18th President of the United States? Receiving a Christmas book like that is a treasure. I know that you all are enjoying reading history, and it seems that as time moves forward the past reveals itself more and more. Our Trustees will soon be receiving training in collections care and management. I’d like to give an advance thank you to Terry Abrams of the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies (WYNAHA), who will be conducting a workshop at our Museum for the Board of Trustees. This training will build a strong foundation for making decisions on accessioning new items and de-accessioning others that are no longer useful. We will focus on maintaining a collection that highlights the contributions of Clarence residents to local and national life. We can’t take every item that is offered, as we are looking for quality versus quantity. Ideally, by displaying quality artifacts accompanied by complete descriptive literature, after extensive research on the subject, we will be able to offer new and exciting displays at your history museum. We are looking forward to re-examining the past! Thomas A. Steffan

Emma Orlando Martin

President’s Message

Joan Woodward, Secretary

David Hormell

NewsletterPRINT.indd 12

Winter 2016

Museum Update 2016 Membership Renewal Our Town Founders A Job Well Done

Genealogy Library News The Gerber—Greatbatch Genealogy Library receives research requests on a regular basis. The more recent requests have come from the states of Washington and Hawaii. It is always interesting to see how far away the requests come for longstanding town

family names! Last fall the library received a request for old town historic photos. This request was for the recently renovated Wegman’s store on Transit Road! The Café has been updated and a large photo of our

Clarence Center Railroad Station now hangs in the updated and larger customer area. Please remember to check it out when you stop at Wegmans.


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A Ransom Note

Volume 16 Issue 1

Volume 16 Issue 1

2015 Varsity Basketball Team

In honor of our founders, we salute Asa Ransom, Asa Harris, David Van Tine, Adam Schworm and Anson Wolcott. They were courageous, progressive men who overcame many adversities in life. They left family and home to blaze trails and open new terri-

board is pleased to report the regroup of volunteers are working pairs are moving along well. The on refreshing the historical exhibmuseum will be its. One new item delayed on the that will be added to While working on the repairs, 2016 opening the Greatbatch Exthe Parks Department located until June. hibit will be Wilson and removed a 40 pound While the reGreatbatch’s personraccoon living in the root pairs are being al tool box. completed, a cellar.

2016 Membership Renewal The 2016 Membership Drive will begin in the next 2 weeks. Please watch your mailbox for your envelope! Also included will be the 2016 Program Schedule. We have an incredible list of entertaining educational programs for

everyone to enjoy. Letters are also being sent out to all our Life members. It’s time to update the membership files with correct contact information. One question of the board is concerning email notifications to the

tory. They drew upon their inner strength and common sense in tough situations. Today we can hardly understand how they knew about building a shelter of raw materials, dealing with strangers, wild animals and protecting themselves. Once they es-

tablished themselves they often built a hotel to accommodate travelers and it became a community center as well. Today we are indebted to these gentlemen and their ladies for our humble beginnings. Many of the roads we travel are reminders of early families who also lived here. Wouldn’t those pioneers be astounded if they came to visit our town today.

A Job Well Done!

Museum Update The museum has been under going major repairs since November 2015. Parks Department discovered severe damage to the east wing. Upstairs had damage from the roof leaking. Both the upstairs and first floor suffered extensive water damage and wood rot due to 2 old wall air conditioners. The

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Our Town Founders

Clarence High School Basketball 1966 Varsity Basketball Team

A Ransom Note

A big Thank You to Doug Kohler for 21 years of service to the society. Doug served on the Board, authored four books on the hamlets of Clarence, co –authored a book on Clarence as well conducted countless historical tours.

We also wish to thank Joe McGreevy for his service on the Board and his many activities to help the Society. Joe conducted an archeological dig in the Town of Clarence. The society looks forward to working with Joe on a future

exhibit for the museum! The members of the Board and the society were saddened by the news of Board member Donna Wanamaker’s death in December. Donna served in many capacities for everyone. Our thoughts and prayers go to Donna’s family.

In Remembrance If you have an interest in working on exhibits, research or volunteering for open hours, please let us know. There is a spot for everyone and it’s just plain fun!

We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of current members who have passed on: 

Dr. Donald Schwab DDS

October 1,2015 Life Member

Donna R. Wanamaker

December 13,2015

Current Trustee

New Members Welcome to new Members:

Miriam Haefner

Patrick Roberts

Marilyn Urshel


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