Thursday, August 4th………………… ….………………………………………………..Media Through the Ages Exhibit Opening

Wednesday, August 10th ……………………………………Booth at GWNC Chamber of Commerce Farmer’s Market, 9am to 3pm

Wednesday, September 14th……………………………………………………Media Through the Ages Exhibit Event, 5pm to 7pm

Thursday, September 15th……………………………………………………………..Bus Trip, Jersey Boys at the Landmark Theatre

Tuesday, September 27th through Friday, September 30th…………………. ………………….Bus Trip, Historic Tour of Pittsburgh

Saturday, October 8th…………………………………………………………………….The 2nd Annual History and Genealogy Fair,

Presented by the Jefferson County NY Genealogical Society

Saturday, October 15th …………………………………………….….8th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, 11:30am to 2:30pm

Early November Museum Musings Newsletter

Saturday, December 10th ……………………………………………………………………………………Victorian Faire, 9am to 4pm

Early January Museum Musings Newsletter

Please check our website www.jeffersoncountyhistory.org & Facebook www.Facebook.com/jeffersoncountyhistory

for further information as it becomes available

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volume VII, No. II August 2016

Museum Musings

From the president………

Hard to believe that summer is almost “history.” In a few short weeks children will be back in class, leaves will start to fall and we’ll be expecting frost on the pumpkin.

The first half of 2016 has proven itself another interesting one for the Jefferson County Historical Society. We have seen a resurgence of activity at the Paddock Mansion from Mayor Joe Butler’s speech on Downtown Revitalization, to partnering with Westelcom and TV 50 to host the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce’s Busi-ness After Hours in May.

“History in the Garden” was a successful and glorious event with more than 100 people enjoying the beautiful gardens of Karen and David Walton. We ended the enchanting evening with the 2016 Jefferson County Historical Society Awards of Distinction.

The T. Urling Walker Award of Distinction was given to Cynthia and Norman Ahl-heim for “Outstanding Service in Furthering the Mission of Preserving and Presenting a Documentary Record of our County and its People.” The Robert R. Sturtz Award of Dis-tinction went to attorney Mark Gebo, for “Leadership in Enabling Jefferson County Non-profits to Achieve Their Goals.” And finally, the Heritage Preservation Award was presented to The Stone House Society of Northern New York for “Preservation of Historically Signifi-cant Jefferson County Buildings or Landmarks.”

This event, like many others the Society hosts, would not have been possible with-out the undying support of our sponsors and loyal supporters. “History in the Garden” sponsors included Savory Downtown, Tom Bowie, CPA, the Couch Group at UBS Finan-cial Services, Dr. Jan Turcotte, Bonny Persons, Francee Calarco of D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Jake’s Lawn Care & Garden Center and Community Bank. Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters.

With our annual meeting in May, a new Executive Committee and Board of Trus-tees were installed. We have many new faces of varying ages and backgrounds. It is an ener-getic, well diversified group who will work hard to continue to promote the Society and all it offers Jefferson County and beyond.

I am also proud to announce the appointment of Peter Whitmore as our interim executive director. Peter comes to us with many years of north country business experience and will be instrumental in working with the new Board of Trustees on strategic planning, providing guidance on varying issues our Society faces today like financial stability and sus-tainability, buildings and grounds maintenance and public relations, just to name a few.

If you have been to the Paddock Mansion lately — thank you for your support — if not, please stop by soon we would love to see you.

~Jill VanHoesen

MUSEUM MUSINGS

is published by the Jefferson

County Historical Society, a non

-profit, member supported, tax-

exempt, organization founded in

1886, and located at:

228 Washington Street Watertown, NY 13601

315-782-3491

Museum Staff Peter Whitmore

Interim Executive Director director@jeffersoncountyhistory.org

Jennifer Zambrano

Business Manager admin@jeffersoncountyhistory.org

Melissa Widrick

Curator of Education educator@jeffersoncountyhistory.org

David Coleman

Caretaker/Gardner caretaker@jeffersoncountyhistory.org

Website

JeffersonCountyHistory.org

Museum Hours of Operation Tuesday - Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Saturday

9am - 4pm ~~~

Guided Museum Tours by reservation only

Jefferson County Historical Society

228 Washington Street

Watertown, NY 13601

NON PROFIT

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

WATERTOWN, NY

PERMIT NO. 228

Jefferson County Historical Society

2016 Calendar of Events

If you would like November’s Museum Musings emailed to you, please let Jennifer know

by phone (315) 782-3491 or by email admin@jeffersoncountyhistory.org

Education Department Report

By :Melissa Widrick, Educator

The 2015 – 16 school year was another busy year for the “Museum to Schools” program. I presented three hun-

dred thirty-one (331) in-school programs to students in ten area school districts. Included in this number were

seventy-eight programs that were presented to groups of two classes or more. The districts that received in

school programming during the past school year were: Beaver River, Belleville-Henderson, Carthage, Copenha-

gen, General Brown, Indian River, LaFargeville, Lyme, Sackets Harbor and South Jefferson. These numbers mean

that hundreds of students had the opportunity to learn about the history of the area where they live through the

use of artifacts, photographs, maps, documents, etc. from the museum’s collection.

Tours of the museum also increased in the 2015-16 school year. Belleville-Henderson, Copenhagen, Indian River,

South Jefferson and Faith Fellowship schools all brought groups to the museum along with various Boy Scout

and LEAH groups. We also partnered with Case Middle School for a unique exhibit opportunity. Students in

Gary Downey’s classes researched and created exhibits that were based on local people and events. Their exhibits

were on display in May and June.

As one school year concludes, plans are always underway for the next. Programs are revised, artifacts are

changed, additional research is done and new technology is incorporated. I am in the process of making the

change from a slide projector to using digital images, Power Point Presentations and Google slide shows. The up-

coming exhibit, “Media through the Ages” will illustrate just how much technology has changed during the time

that Jefferson County has been settled. This is sure to be a popular exhibit with area children who are connected

24/7.

If you would like to become involved in any of our programs, exhibits, etc., or in becoming a volunteer guide,

please call us, 782-3491. Volunteers are always welcome!

House and Gardens

By: David T. Coleman, Caretaker

The gardens are planted with the help of Wendy Nix Morris, her daughter

Olivia, Jennifer, and Tammy Beach. Tom and I traveled to Rhodes Green-

house for the numerous annuals needed to fill the skirtings and urns. I

needed 4 coral bells to replace the loss of 5 plants in our shade garden up

front. This past winter was a series of freeze -thaw with little snow cover.

Thanks to Tom Catalano for donating 25 bags of black mulch. He also

purchased flowers and planted the flagpole, fountain, and under the sign

in the front yard.

We are buckthorn free after removing four trees from the grounds. Our

new office manager Jennifer Zambrano stopped in and purchased peren-

nials from the Master Gardener’s plant sale. In the orchard where one of

those nasty invasive stood I planted two oak leaf hydrangeas from the

sale. Tom purchased a viburnum to fill the other void in the croquet gar-

den.

I had six helpers from IHC weed and mulch the croquet garden skirting and diamond garden skirting. Hilda Cum-

mings still pops in from time to time to help in the gardens.

Mike Peters stopped in to rebuild the handrails on the back porch. I had a few materials and finish products in stock.

A few years back, Tom Walker built two newel posts and two finials for this project. We salvaged what trim pieces we

could from the last handrails. Mike cut Douglas fir hand holds and put all the pieces together. It looks great.

When I turned on the water this year to the Massey House and barn, there were no surprises like last year. Only one

shark bite end needed replacing in the Massey House. The cartridge on the faucet in the bathroom in the barn needed

replacing. I think I found the last one in town at Derouins.

I did a walk through with Jeff Garvey to establish a punch list of future B&G Committee projects. The board is resur-

recting the long missed Building and Grounds Committee.

One project I need help with is purchasing and planting 150’ of American Arborvitae. We have long hoped for a priva-

cy hedge along the south fence of the croquet garden. If there are extra plants, we could fill in the honeysuckle privacy

hedge where the snow piles have impacted.

The exterior of the pink schoolhouse needs painting and is on this year’s docket. Contributions of $500.00 have al-

ready come in so we will purchase what is needed and with volunteer help will get this task accomplished.

If you would like to help us continue these vital projects let us know.

Yours in service,

David T. Coleman

JCHS Caretaker

315-782-3491

General needs: Address Labels

8.5 x 11 Legal Pads 8.5 x 11 Paper Shredder

Printer Paper Scissors Stamps

Snow blower

Wheelchair Ramp needs:

72’ – 50”x5.5”x1.5” pressure treated planking

Massey House needs:

(4) - 4’x8’ x 1/2” sheetrock

(1) 5 gallon pail joint com-pound-“green”

40’- 3/4” red PEX tubing

10’ - ½” red PEX tubing

10’ - ½” blue PEX tubing

(4) - ¾” 90 degree SHARK-BITE coupling

(4) - ½” 90 degree SHARK-BITE coupling

(4) - SHARKBITE couplings

Inside the Pink Schoolhouse, brought to JCHS grounds in 2005

thanks in part to the efforts of new board member Dave Champagne

Day Lily in the Victorian gardens this July,

Donated by Karen Walton

JCHS WISH LIST

New Members Howard Bodenhorn Lawrence and Sarah Con-ley Joseph and Debbie Do-noughue Marisa Marcellus Fred and Marlene Norfolk Renewals Senior Patricia Aceti Marsha Arnold Carmaline Arquiett Priscilla W. Audo Helen Bahou James and Camie Baker Kathryn Barker Maureen Barros Madeleine Bennett Anna Boyanski Harold Brennan Dr. & Mrs. Robert Brown Margaret Casey Robert Caswell Patricia Crandall Nancy DelBorgo Mary Demko Marlea S. Dempster Doris Dundon Mrs. Harlow Farmer Mrs. Elizabeth Fibison Phyllis Gillen John L. Gormley Mary Hendricks Goulding Mr. Daniel Grant Mark and Jane E. Gutherie Sylvia Heap Lionel Lee Hector Marilyn S. Henry Annie Hollenbeck Pamela Jones Anna M. Kane Marion Kirkland Mary Larney Claire Leonhardt Barbara Maddocks

Theodore McQuade Virginia Palumbo Joseph Ramus Sandra Rippteau Fred Rollins Peggy Ryan David Shampine Marcia Smith Irene Stackel Mary Sweeney Joyce Taylor Verena Young Individual Donald Alexander David M. Cummings Steven Daub William Havens Melisa Ingerson Jane O. McHugh Mark Wentling Suzanne C. Wiley Family Harold and Carol Ander-son Brian Ashley Patricia M. Campbell and Bob Capone Jon P. and Karen Con-stance Thomas and Sharon Dyck-es Barbara Fudala Glenn and Maureen Gough Ray and Donna Hansen William P. Hills James and Marie Jewson Nancy and Michael John-son Robert and Pam Johnson Edward and Gretchen Martelle Josiah and Anne Meyer James and Karen Powell Mark and Maria Purcell

Edward and Karen Ringwald Howard and Diana Schnet-tller Wayne Smiley John D. and Mary Stone John and Ann Sudduth Michele Traynor Mark and Nicole Zehr Sustaining Mr. and Mrs. William Barden Steve and Vici Diehl Michael Fitzgerald Ms. Jill Johnson Michelle Pfaff Joan Timerman Patron Donald Calarco William and Judith Curtis Bruce and Lorraine Irwin Christopher and Paula Jank Donna LaLonde Joseph and Marianne Malatino Mrs. Charles Peters Patricia Phillips Dr. Frank and Mrs. Joanne Rhode John E. Taylor Benefactor Robert and Linda Hage-mann Dawn D. Ludovici Babcock Society Henry H. Babcock Lifetime Members C. Adam Bock

Claire Bonney

Dawn S. Budner

Kively R. Calender

Pat & Lorraine Caramanna

Mr. & Mrs. William C.

Couch

Linda DelSolar

Mr. John S. Dunk

Mr. & Mrs. F. Joseph

Fusco

Mr. & Mrs. William

George

Nusrat Hafeez

Mrs. Allen H. Harris

Haylor, Freyer & Coon

Maurice L. Herron

Richard C. Howland

Mrs. Charles R. Hyde

Justin Jones

Dr. Joven G. & Vicki Ray

Kuan

Carleton & Beverly Lamica

Paul K. Majo

Ted & Mary Mascott

Lola Meyer

William J. Monnat

Shirley Parker

Shara Peets

Dr. & Mrs. John Poggi

Mrs. Charles A. Shafer

Mrs. Frederic Stone

Mrs. Irwin K. Stone

Mrs. George Sturtz

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sturtz

Dale & Marie Watkins

Mrs. Robert Wehle

Roger White

Stephen Yaussi

Mrs. Bruce Young

RECENT EVENTS

Business After Hours

On Thursday, May 26th, JCHS hosted the GWNC Chamber of Commerce May Busi-ness After Hours where members of the local business community gathered to net-work in the garden. At the beginning of the event, Mayor Joseph Butler announced Wa-tertown’s application for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant awarded by New York state. Guests of the event were also treated to a live performance from the Original Yanks Drum and Bugle Corps.

131st Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, May 31st, Jeffer-son County His-torical Society held its 131st Annual Meeting in the main gal-lery of the man-

sion. We said goodbye to board member Mr. Gebo, who served three terms on the board. JCHS would like to thank Mr. Gebo for his generous support throughout the years. We also welcomed five new members to the Board of Trustees: Mr. Colin Burns, Mr. Dave Champagne, Mrs. Carolyn Fitz-patrick, Mr. Douglas Schmidt, and Ms. Jor-dan Walker. We look forward to working with them and thank them in advance for their commitment to JCHS. Here’s to an-other 131 years!

Appraisers Roadshow

On June 25th and 26th, seven appraisers from across the world appraised a wide range of goods brought in by JCHS mem-bers, as well as members of the community. More than 100 people had their items ap-praised, and the event brought in more than $1400.00 for JCHS. We would like to thank the many volunteers who made the fund-raiser a success.

History in the Garden

On Saturday July 9th, Karen and David Walton generously opened their home and garden for the Jefferson County Historical Society Annual Awards of Distinction for those who have helped JCHS further its mission of preserving and presenting a doc-umentary record of our county and its peo-ple. Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Cynthia Ahlheim were awarded The T. Urling Walk-er Award of Distinction for over 40 years of outstanding service to JCHS. Mr. Mark Gebo was awarded The Robert R. Sturtz Award of Distinction for his philanthropic support of preserving Jefferson County his-tory at JCHS. The Stone House Society of Northern New York was awarded The Historical Society Heritage Preservation Award for their restoration of historic homes throughout Jefferson County. More than 80 guests attended and the event raised more than $6000.00 for JCHS. We would like to thank the committee of Jeff Gar-vey, Carol Wardwell and Marcia Wells for their hard work in planning and executing the event, and the volunteers who helped on the day of the event.

4th Annual Estate Sale

Our 4th Annual Estate Sale began with an evening of wine and cheese on Thursday, July 21st, and continued for two full days through Saturday, July 23rd. We sold more than 110 items and brought in more than $1000 from the event. We extend our grati-tude to the committee of Peg Bootie and Cathy Pisarski who volunteered their time planning and executing this event, as well as the volunteers throughout the three-day fundraiser. We also express our gratitude to those who donated goods for the event. We are looking forward to the 5th Annual Es-tate Sale next summer.

Board of Trustees

Jill VanHoesen

President

Ken Eysaman

1st Vice President

Francee Calarco

2nd Vice President

Michele Traynor

Treasurer

Jeffery Garvey

Secretary

~~~

Margaret Bootie

Colin Burns

Dave Champagne

Mary “Vici” Diehl

Carolyn Fitzpatrick

Deborah Gillan

Nasrat Hafeez

Richard Holley

Thomas LaClair

Doug Schmidt

Jordan Walker

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Listed are memberships received from May 1, 2016 through July 30, 2016.

THANK YOU for your support!

History and Genealogy Fair

Saturday, October 8, 2016

History of Tomorrow Starts Today

As many as two-hundred people seeking their roots plan to bring history alive this Fall in-side the 130-year old Paddock Mansion. Event Chair Tom LaClair says, “We did the History and Genealogy Fair for the first time last year to bring together people who love history, with people who are curious about genealogy. We had 150 people, so we want to do it again.”

The day-long event, History of Tomorrow Starts Today, is on Saturday, October 8th, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. County-wide Historical and Genealogical Societies as well as Revolu-tionary and Civil War veteran and descendant societies will be set up at tables next to one anoth-er, to develop more synergy between the very different groups.

Last year James E. Fowler attended in hopes of learning more about his Grandparents Cecil E. Fowler and Emily A. Deline. He was able to meet up with another researcher and learned that the two were third cousins sharing Deline ancestors. The Sons of the American Rev-olution, Thousand Island Chapter inducted Patriot member David Guy in a special ceremony held at the Historical Society. And students from a local school took part and shared genealogy processes with younger children. We also had members of the Fort Drum historical community set up two separate displays and shared military history on Jefferson County. These are just a sampling of what to expect.

There will be opportunities to learn how to better trace your lineage, as well as historical displays, pamphlets, books, even cemetery listings. There are six speakers lined up, on varied top-ics, including talks like “Using Technology As A Time Machine”.

The first annual event proved to be an overwhelming success and this second-annual promises to be even better! Cost is a $5.00 donation at the door. We hope to see you there!

For the latest information and membership dues, visit us at

our website:

www.jcnygs.com

In addition, stay up to date by liking us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/jeffersonCountyNygenealogicalSociety.

Or you can write to us at:

JCNYGS, P.O. Box 6453,Watertown, New York 13601

~ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES ~

We would like to offer a sincere THANK YOU to the volunteers for each of our recent fundraisers, as well as the volunteers who are at JCHS each week. We are grateful for your help and your continued support!

We are always on the look out for volunteers here at the JCHS. Whether your interest is baking, chairing a committee or becoming a docent, we are always glad to help you help us.

If you’d like to become a volunteer at JCHS, contact Jennifer at 315-782-3491.

THANK YOU to our Business After Hours Sponsors

Channel 50

Westelcom

THANK YOU to our History in the Garden Sponsors

Don Alexander

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowie, CPA

Calarco Funeral Home

Community Bank

The Couch Group at UBS Financial Services

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Gebo, Esq.

Jake’s Lawn Care

Savory Downtown

Kathy Sturr

Thousand Island Winery

Dr. Jan Turcotte

THANK YOU to our Media Through the Ages Sponsors

Channel 7

Savory

Watertown Daily Times

WBPS