The Historical Society of the Town of Clarence 10465 Main St PO Box 86 Clarence, NY 14031
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
Asa Ransom Note Clarence Historical Society Newsletter Winter 2015 In honor of Presidents Day on Monday February 16, we have compiled a list of similarities between President Lincoln and Kennedy. Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860 John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960 Both were particularly concerned with civil rights Both wives lost a child while living in the White House Both were shot on a Friday Both were shot in the head Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy Kennedy’s secretary was named Lincoln
Historical Society Membership Membership Prices: $15 Individual
$25 Couple
$30 Family
Both were assassinated by Southerners Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson
$50 Business
$150 Individual Life Member
Both assassins were known by their three names Both names are composed of fifteen letters
NAME ADDRESS CITY
NewsletterPRINT.indd 12
10/3/2014 10:54:37 AM
STATE
HOME PHONE
ZIP CODE
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trails
WORK PHONE
Lincoln was shot in a theater and the assassin ran to a
HOW CAN I HELP:
warehouse Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and the assassin ran to a theater
( ) VOLUNTEER ( ) WORK ON EXHIBITS/ ARTIFACTS
Contact Information Museum: 10465 Main St Clarence, NY 14031 (716)-759-8575 clarencehistoricalmuseum @gmail.com Hours: Sunday: 1pm-4pm Tuesday: 4:30pm-7pm 2nd-Last Wednesday: 10am- 2pm 1st Saturday: 11am-3pm Genealogy: 10871 Main St Clarence, NY 14031 (716) 759-1623 clarence.ny.genealogy.library @gmail.com Hours: Wednesday: 9:30am-12pm 1st Saturday: 11am-3pm 1st Sunday: 1pm-4pm Facebook: Town of Clarence Historical Society Website: clarencehistory.com
( ) OFFICE HELP
Please fill-out and mail back with membership dues to Clarence Historical Museum: 10465 Main St. Clarence, NY 14031 WINTER 2015
12
WINTER 2015
1
Board Members President: Tom Steffan (716) 741-8400 tsteffan@cookandsteffan. com
Vice Pres.: Doug Kohler Secretary: Joan Woodward (716) 759-6170
Treasurer: Sandy Larkin sjlarkin1@gmail.com
Town Liaison: Bob Geiger (716) 741-8929 rgeiger@clarence.ny.us David Hormell Donna Wanamaker Daniel Gamin Jon Rothenmeyer Howard Payne Joseph McGreevy
Museum Personal Director: Alicia Braaten (716) 531-1517
Assistant Curator: Emily Busch ekbusch15@gmail.com
Board Meetings are Open to the Public & Held 1st Thursday of the Month at 7pm at Clarence Historical Museum
The Historical Society Welcomes Business and Organization Memberships. Your business/organization logo could be listed for free on our newsletter in this area with this membership.
Future Meetings: February 5th, 2015
Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Friend
March 5th, 2015
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death, in mid-December of Bill Wharam. Many of you remember Bill and his wife Julie as very active, contributing members of the Clarence community. For those who never had the chance to meet them, let me introduce you. While not native to Clarence, their employment brought them to Western New York. Julie’s children (and Bill’s stepchildren, though he always referred to them as our kids to me), Julia & Greg, attended the Clarence schools and the family joined The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary congregation at Main Street & Harris Hill Road. Bill, a WWII veteran, worked for the VA Hospital in Buffalo as a physical therapist, rising through the ranks so to speak, to the head of the department. Julie, also a physical therapist worked for the VA in Batavia. Needless to say they were both very active in veterans’ organizations in the area. They helped to organize dinners for veterans residing in the Batavia VA and joined the VFW in Clarence. They took children living in a home in Lockport on day trips they arranged and served their church community in many capacities. As you can tell, they were a very giving couple to those less fortunate.
April 2nd, 2015
Curators Note by Alicia Braaten As the New Year begins so do our resolutions. As director/curator of the museum I have one or two. The first is to make the museum more accessible and available to the Clarence community. Please consider using the museum as a location to hold a gathering of friends or family. In the past we have had various groups meet for their business meeting and then tour the museum. There is a small kitchen available and you can always bring food in! This past year Tim Pazda organized a “historic scavenger hunt” for member of his church with the finish at the museum for food and beverages! What a great way to learn about your town. Oh by the way, congratulations Tim on being named the Chamber of Commerce 2015 Citizen of the year! If you are planning a family or class reunion keep us in mind! Second, I resolve to get the office cleaned up! So often I arrive at the museum with good intentions but become distracted by other things – usually cobwebs & dust. Guess what I end up doing? And if someone comes to the door they take priority. I would like to thank Massaro Cleaners for all their help over the years. Whenever we need to clean the uniforms or other garments going on display they do a wonderful job. And then say “no charge”. It is a pleasure doing business with them. Thanks Rose. “A thank you also to Shari Martell and staff at the Clarence Grille for a wonderful luncheon for the volunteers! A good time was had by all.” New items have been donated to our collection. Dr. Tom Lawson sent over tools; Dorothy Harbison has given many political items as well as household things. A HUGE 48 star American flag was donated just in time for the Pearl Harbor remembrance. It stretched across the entire balcony in the clubhouse! Thanks to all. Finally a special thank you to the volunteers – we wouldn’t be open without you! If you would like to learn more about our town consider volunteering! I am willing to meet you whenever is convenient for you and show you around!
WINTER 2015
2
When they decided to retire, Julie came to Museum Director May Coppola and said they were looking for something to do. And, God bless them, they never left until medical issues forced them to live closer to their son Greg in New Jersey. Over the decades they both contributed their talents to the museum in a variety of ways. For years, Julie set up the program schedule for the society, finding many interesting speakers at no or minimum cost to the organization. At that time, we relied solely on community donations. I am sure there were times they paid the speaker from their own funds, without telling anyone. Just as they had the windows in the entry hall of the museum tinted to deflect the sunlight which is detrimental to artifacts. Julie’s skills as a seamstress are still visible in the curtains on the windows. Many of you might recall the yearly dinners that preceded a program. What a great job they did recruiting help in the kitchen! Thanks Dan & Jackie Gregorio! Julie took special pride in the Wilson Greatbatch workshop, using her medical background to keep things up to date and teaching not just visitors but also volunteers about this extraordinary man. I learned a lot from her. The notebook of newspaper clippings she collected is still used today. She would have enjoyed meeting the film crew from Great Britain who visited the museum for a day, filming in the workshop. She encouraged her daughter to also volunteer. Bill was our handyman around the museum, working alongside Rick Simon in helping to organize exhibits. They were a staple on a Sundays, opening the museum to visitors. Each always helped with the tours of school children who came each year as part of their curriculum. Bill enjoyed sharing his story of the helmet he wore with the students. He would let them try it on so they could appreciate how heavy it was, causing his neck to enlarge from wearing it every day. I don’t remember now if his neck increased 2 or 3sizes! And they also helped with displays at the Erie County Fair. Bill and Julie served on the Board of Trustees of the Historical Society for many years. Julie served as secretary while Bill headed the Buildings and Grounds Committee, which sometimes was a committee of one! Julia also served on the board making it a family affair! Whenever something needed to be done or someone needed help they were always there.I hope Julie finds comfort in knowing how much they were appreciated here in Clarence. A truly remarkable, caring couple who did their best to make Clarence a better place to live. If you would like to drop Julie a note her address is: Julie Wharam, 432 Central Ave., Linwood, NJ 08221. There will be a memorial mass in Bill’s honor in the spring.
WINTER 2015
11
Genealogy Library Repainted
Maple Syrup and Sugar Making in Clarence The following is a recollection of maple syrup making from a former Clarence residence on how maple syrup and sugar making got started in Clarence. An old friend writes us some of his recollections of the old days when maple syrup making was one of late winter and early spring industries. His system of gathering sap was necessarily a little different from that in vogue on the mountain side bushes. To make a “neck-yoke” to fit the shoulders so that one could carry two large pails of sap was a winter evening’s job. The sap troughs, the spiles, the iron gouge, all these were put in readiness for a break in the winter – ah yes, we too could tell our friend some stories of these happy days, how the trusty rifle, was a sugar camp companion with which to welcome the appearance of foxes, owls, hawks, squirrels, and other game with which to the old forest abounded. And we could tell him something of a neighboring Indian camp, but well, we won’t; he may tell his reminiscence in his own way. What old man is there among us but remembers with more than good cheer the time when Erie and Niagara counties were yet being conveyed piecemeal in parcels of 50, 100, 150, and 200 acre farms to purchasers to raise a decent family on, and then make a ‘good living?” that was then the prime object. Peace measures had been entered into between our young Republic and them other country and stalwart young men everywhere looking out for a ‘good chance to settle down.’
Marie Wheatley, Christian Wheatley, Ron Wheatley I chose this project because I went to Clarence High School and recently graduated in 2014. I feel that Clarence is my hometown and wanted to do something that people would see and benefit from in the town. I have been a scout in Troop 440 since becoming a tiger cub in the 1st grade, and finishing my project and getting Eagle Scout is important to me. Helping one complete this project will be my friends, family and various volunteers from my troop. I am currently studying at SUNY Geneseo. Marie Wheatley Joe Szadek Warren Arno Jim Smyczinski Brandon Guzy
Ron Wheatley Joey Szadek Joey Smyczinski Elaine Hurst
Instinctively the business of “tapping the trees”, “gathering the sap,” with a barrel conveniently “saddled” upon an on sled drawn through the thick forest, and brought to the sugar camp to be stored in troughs made of large whitewood trees, holding sometimes 30-40 barrels each. A stone arch was built in front of the camp with several cauldron kettles arched in, conveniently for boiling down the water syrup. When sufficiently boiled down, the syrup was put in a convenient kettle for the “sugaring off” process, which required much care to prevent the burning of the past.
By Christian Wheatley
If you would like to contribute to our Community Guest Article please send a copy of your article along with any pictures to either the Historical Museum or Genealogy Addresses with a note stating it’s for the Community Guest Article.
WINTER 2015
10
WINTER 2015
3
History of the American Flag
2015 Programs Dates
May 1776: Betsy Ross reported she sewed 1st American Flag June 4, 1777: Continental Congress passed Flag Act “That the Flag of the US be made of 13
stripes, alternate red & white, that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue filed representing a new constellation January 13, 1794: provided for 15 stripes & 15 stars after May 1795 April 4, 1818: provided 13 stripes & 1 star for each stated, to be added on the 4th of July following admission of each new state signed by President Monroe June 24, 1912: Executive Order of President Taft established proposition of flag & provided arrangement of stars in 6 horizontal row of 8 each, single point upward January 3, 1959: Executive Order of President Eisenhower provided arrangement of stars in 7 rows of 7 stars each, staggered horizontally & vertically August 21, 1959: Executive Order of President Eisenhower provided arrangement of stars in 9 rows of stars staggered horizontally & 11 rows of star staggered vertically Today’s Flag: 13 strips (7 red, 6 white) representing the 13 colonies and 50 stars representing the states of the Union 48 Star Flag flew from 1912-1959. This is the flag that was used during both World Wars and Korea. It was changed when Alaska was admitted to the Union The colors of the American Flag have meaning o Red= Hardiness & Valor o White = Purity & Innocent o Blue = Vigilance, Perseverance & Justice
March 10th May 12th July 14th Picnic and Program. Located outside in the large town park pavilion. September 8th October 13th November 10th Upcoming Events Civil War Amelia Earhart Erie Canal All programs (except the July 14th picnic) take place in the Town Park Club House at 7pm. They are free and open to the public. Refreshments are served before and after the program.
NEW DONATION TO SOCIETY: 48 STAR FLAG CIRCA 1950
Donated By: Dennis & Angela Scherer Information on Donation: In memory of Col. Edwin J. Scherer given to him in honor of his service in the US Army. Flown on the United States Capital Building.
WINTER 2015
4
WINTER 2015
9
Historical Building of Clarence Welcome New Members In 1895 a house was built for Dr. Joseph Lehman on what was original Mill Street now Goodrich Rd in Clarence Center. It was painted by Mr. Eshelman and Mr. Metz of Clarence Center. Situated next to his house on Mill Street (Goodrich Rd) was his office building that he moved from original spot on the FourCorners and Mrs. Clarence Bratt old home and today is still a private residence. In the 1920’s the office building was moved across the road and was the home of Mrs. Folger in 1960.
New members to the society will be listed in the future
Dr. Lehman was a native of Ohio and graduated from University of Buffalo Medical School in 1893. He came to Clarence Center in 1895, were he practiced medicine until his death from pneumonia in 1917.
A big thank you to Julianna Fiddler Woite for editing our newsletter during the past few years. Thank You to the Discover Main Street online news agency for coming into the Historical Museum and writing a wonderful article and photographs on our exhibits. o Please check out their webpage to discover more of Main Street Clarence https://discovermainstreet.wordpress.com/
Remember to set your clocks forward on March 8th Daylights Savings!!!!!!!
Gift Shop: CLARENCE HISTORY BOOKS $20 EACH Clarence: Images of the Hollow Clarence: Images of Harris Hill Clarence: Images of Clarence Center Clarence: Images of Swormville & North Country Books may be purchased at the Historical Museum or our Monthly Programs
WINTER 2015
8
WINTER 2015
5
Blizzard ‘77 Can we ever forget the Blizzard of ’77? Every few years this area is overcome with huge amounts of snow. The Blizzard of ’77 began on a Friday morning and quickly escalated. Winds of 45-69 mph whipped the snow into huge drifts. The wind chill was a major factor. Plows could not keep up with the drifting snow. Everything came to a standstill. Many people could not leave their work places and slept in offices and nearby homes or public buildings. Delivery trucks became stuck and there were no newspapers or public transportation. Grocery store shelves were bare. Farmers coped with the elements and many had to dump their milk.
Radio talk show personalities constantly updated local information. Residents were urged to cut down on their use of energy. Snow banks were so high they touched overhead wires and limited gas for heating was available. Schools were closed for a week or more. Jimmy Griffin, Mayor of Buffalo, became famous for his saying, “Stay inside and grab a six-pack and watch a good football game.” One family camped in their living room and the children warmed themselves by doing popular dances of the 70’s, the Monkey and the Stroll. They also played board games and everyone went to bed early. Moms were hard pressed to come up with meals using ingredients found their own pantries. A few people had CB radios to communicate with neighbors or just listen to truckers conversations. Snowmobiles proved invaluable in securing medications and supplies, rescuing people, transporting stranded emergency workers and hospital personnel etc. After the blizzard and clean-up crews had gotten the roads and services restored local authorities realized they needed to plan ahead to handle such emergencies and a County Disaster Coordinator was appointed. Our own Roger Chaffee, headed up the first such organization and planning began. Snow storms will continue to blow off our Great Lakes, the blizzards will continue and residents have learned lessons to be prepared for the whims of Ma Nature.
WINTER 2015
6
WINTER 2015
7