Love & WAR

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The Buffalo History Museum is a private not-for-profit organization tax exempt under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It receives operating support from the County of Erie, the City of Buffalo, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA, a state agency), and from members and friends. The Buffalo History Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Mr. Peter Ahrens Mr. Scott FisherCarley Jean Hill

Mr. Allan Jamieson

Mrs. Cheryl Lyles Mr. Vincent MancusoMs. Heidi A. RaphaelMrs. Kristin Saperston

Dr. Mark SeversonMr. Mark V. Taylor

Mr. Greg D. Tranter

Cover: Bridal Party by Ettore-Winter Photography Studio. Photo from Buffalo History Museum Collection of Veterans taken in 1860.

pop-up (pŏp’ŭp’)adj. 1. Emerging quickly from a recessed or concealed position when activated

2. Rising to form a three-dimensional structure when a page is opened

Most encounter pop-ups on a computer screen. Some are helpful and some are just

annoying. By clicking the little “x”, one can shut them down and continue along in cyber world.

For me, “POP” conjures positive associations…

…my Grandma Bert’s ultra-long chain of aqua POP beads.

…POP-up books- one of my favorites featured a POP-up arbor in plush rose garden. Under the trellis, the book’s heroine could be found swinging on a perfect rope swing.

…colors that POP. My childhood home is red. My three sisters and I enjoyed bright and funky manicures courtesy of my creative step-dad. The purple and black check pattern I painted in my teen bedroom.

. . . soon my Mom’s POP-up crocuses will usher in her spring bulb festooning.

In this spirit, Museum goers can experience our first POP-up exhibit. Something Old, Something New, debuting March 3rd, features a POP-up display of wedding gowns from our collection. Historic textiles pose challenges for display. They require specialized mounts, protection from handling and limited periods of exhibition. However, surveys indicate visitors love textiles and want to see more of them. The POP-up format allows us to display artifacts from our expansive textile collection without the expense of elaborate casework. (To give you a sense-the custom case protecting the table setting in Everafter cost $11K.)

Serendipity brought a second POP-up exhibit to our new event.

In December, Ettore Porreca reached out to the Museum with an interesting challenge. A partner in Ettore-Winter Studio, Mr. Porreca had saved dozens of oversized bridal photos, once featured in Tegler’s Dress Shop on Delaware Avenue. Most of the brides were unidentified. He wanted help getting the stunning display photographs to the brides and their families. The Tonawanda News, The Buffalo News and Channel 2 both ran with the story. One gal emailed explaining her surprise when she went to check the weather on-line and instead was greeted by a photograph of her mother. I also enjoyed meeting Bride Marilyn DiVincenzo. Viewing her treasured wedding album created by the Ettore-Winter Studio, I marveled at her 400 pound wedding cake- WOW!

Giants will also POP-up at the museum this spring and not the Jack-in-the-Beanstalk variety. As part of the Museum's brand new monthly 3rd Friday Series, GIANTS of BUFFALO is among the assortment of programming planned throughout the year. It will feature legendary personalities in highlighted fields. Kicking off the first of the three events planned is "Radio." Moderator John DiSciullo from WBBZ -TV will moderate a lively and informal discussion among radio giants: Danny Neaverth, Shane Gibson, Joey Reynolds, and Sandy Beach in the Museum auditorium.

There is lots more POP planned for the Museum this year. From the corks POP-ping at our new Wine War event planned for the Hotel @ the Lafayette to the POP of the firearms featured in By Fire and Sword our War of 1812 commemorative exhibit opening in September. By the time you are reading your next newsletter, the popcorn and crowds will be POP-ping at our signature summer series PoP- Party On the Portico.

So POP in and take advantage of our exceptional membership value.

All my best, Melissa

Member Benefits: Free general admission to museum • Free use of the Research Library 10% discount on most museum shop purchases • Special invitation to members-only exhibit openings

and events • Advance notice and discounts on programs & events

Check out our calendar on pg. 7 for all the free members programs!

Call 873.9644 ext. 318 or visit www.buffalohistory.org to join.

a community bank at heart

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Walter J. MayerDirector of Museum Collections

On December 31, 1813 the British and their Indian allies marched on Buffalo with the intent of destroying the village. The destruction of Buffalo was part of the British retaliation for the burning of Newark (Niagara-on the-Lake) on December 10, 1813 by United States forces. Samuel Evers used this musket in defense of Buffalo.

The musket is a muzzle loading, smoothbore, with a flintlock mechanism, .69 caliber. Asher and Pliny Bartlett of Springfield, MA made the musket in 1806. The lockplate has “Bartlett” stamped on it

and “P M IB 1806” are stamped on the barrel. The musket’s overall length is 58 ½”, a barrel length of 43” and a weight of 10 lbs. It is based on the United States government’s musket Model of 1795 which in turn was based on the French Charleville Model of 1766. During the American Revolution, large quantities of Charleville muskets were supplied to the Continental Army by the French government.

Ward Fay donated the musket to the Buffalo History Museum on June 12, 1865. The weapon was conserved by the Buffalo State Art Conservation Department in preparation for our upcoming exhibit

commemorating the War of 1812.

Cleveland’s Cake BoxTiffany & CompanyNew York, NYSatin, Lace and Paper1886

Anthony GrecoDirector of Exhibits and Interpretive Planning

On June 2, 1886, President Grover Cleveland and Miss Frances Folsom married in the White House’s first wedding ceremony. Folsom, only 21 years old, was well-educated, beautiful, and charming, endearing the new First Lady to her American public.

While critics of the President considered the May-September marriage scandalous, the public was enamored by the First Lady’s youth and beauty, likening the White House romance to Royal nuptials. The President’s handlers also capitalized, using France’s age as a positive image for the 40-year-old Cleveland.

Today, 126 years after America’s first “royal” wedding, the Buffalo History Museum shares in its memory by displaying a small slice of wedding cake. Guests attending the ceremony were given cake boxes, holding small groom’s cakes. These cakes were dark and soaked in alcohol which may account for its excellent state of preservation.

In 1886 it was not uncommon to receive a piece of wedding cake as a parting favor from the wedded couple. Tradition dictated that if one placed the cake under their pillow they would dream of their future spouse. To learn more about wedding traditions, fashions and frivolity check out our Something Old, Something New event on March 3.

- Alexis Greinert Donor Relations Coordinator

Something Old, Something New Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 4 o’clock

Pop-up bridal exhibit highlighting historic gowns from the collection

Wedding Dress Contest winner announced.Look for the winning story in our next newsletter!

Folsom, only 21 years old, was well-educated, beautiful, and charming,

While critics of the President considered the May-September marriage scandalous, the public was enamored by the First Lady’s youth and beauty, likening the White House romance to Royal nuptials. The President’s handlers also capitalized, using France’s age

Today, 126 years after America’s first “royal” wedding, the Buffalo History Museum shares in its memory by displaying a small slice of

presents

Wine & beer tastings, food stations,

live music, & War of 1812 pop-up exhibit$75 general public, $60 members

Call 873.9644 ext. 318 or visit www.buffalohistory.orgSponsored by: Artvoice & Buffalo Spree magazine

“Flintlock Musket from The Buffalo History Museum Collection”

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1. Howard Heard and Walt Mayer2. Constance Caldwell with Amherst Theater staff.3. Movie goers in the lobby at premiere of Lincoln4. Museum members attend movie premiere5. Lori Robinson at the Buffalo History Museum Holiday Party6. Mark Johannesen, Print Leader and Anthony Greco at the Buffalo History Museum Holiday Party

7. Picture taken of re-enactors from the Buffalo Civil War Roundtable by Facebook photo post winner, Mary Cooke from Grand Island.

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8. Irish Volunteers music group.9. Museum volunteers Tim and Naomi. 10. Echoes Through Time Civil War Museum.11. Cynthia Van Ness - TV interview.12. Tara Lyons interviewed by Judge Penny Wolfgang for “On Target”.13. Richard Rosche, VP of Buffalo Civil War Roundtable, with Judge Wolfgang.14. Robie Carmina & Marilyn DiVincenzo look at her bridal portrait. 15. George Winfield snowblowing in front of the museum.16. Jennifer LaBella working on the Spring Newsletter.17. Students from Bennett Park Montessori School attend History Day

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Cynthia Van Ness, MLSDirector of Library & Archives

“No town saw more of the war than Buffalo.”- Heidler, David S. and Jeanne T., eds. Encyclopedia of the War of 1812. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, ©1997, pp. 68-69.

Back in 1812, everything about the U.S. military was remarkably primitive and that included record-keeping. But the Research Library has a number of sources that may help identify your War of 1812 ancestor. Everything listed below can be viewed during regular library hours, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1-5 pm, no appointments are necessary. The Library use is always free for Museum members.

Even though bicentennial observances are already underway, only one how-to book on War of 1812 genealogy has ever been published, and it dates back to 1983:

Ref. E354 .S3 1983Schweitzer, George KeeneWar of 1812 GenealogyKnoxville, TN: G.K. Schweitzer, ©1983

Schweitzer writes, “Since about one out of every fourteen men in the US at the time of the War was involved, you should strongly entertain the possibility that any ancestor of yours who was 13 or older in 1812 (any man born before 1800) could very well have fought.” (p. 26). This short book explains what kind of service records exist and where to find them. Military service records are held by various government offices.

Ref. E181 .N42 1994Neagles, James C.U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal & State Sources, Colonial America to the PresentSalt Lake City, UT: Ancestry Inc., ©1994

Neagles’ guide goes into extensive detail about the kinds of records that exist and where to find them, including the War of 1812 and all other military conflicts up to 1994.

Ref. E359.4 .W45 1992, 2 vols.White, Virgil D.Index to War of 1812 Pension FilesWaynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., ©1992

Now we’re getting into sources that list actual soldier names! If you think an ancestor may have fought and survived, check White’s

volumes to see if his name is present. If so, you get most or all of these pieces of information: Last name, first name, name of wife/widow(s), date of marriage, city and state of residence, unit served in, date of soldier’s death

White’s index is drawn from 102 reels of microfilmed records in the U.S. National Archives.

Ref. E354 .B54 2011Bilow, JackA War of 1812 Death RegisterPlattsburgh, NY: The author, ©2011

Bilow’s book lists every known KIA, MIA, POW, and wounded casualty in New York, Vermont, and along the Canadian border. Southern battles are not included. Men are listed by place of death, so look under Black Rock, Buffalo, Fort Erie, Lewiston, etc. There is no name index, so you may need to check multiple locations to find your man.

E364.9.P47 K66 1991Peterson, Clarence Stewart, 1896-1968Known Military Dead During the War of 1812Baltimore, MD: Reprinted for Clearfield Co. by Genealogical Pub. Co., 1991, ©1955

Peterson lists an estimated 3,600 casualties in A-Z order by last name, from all theaters of the war. For each man, you get most or all of these pieces of information: Last name, first name, rank, unit, date of death, place of death.

E354 .L53List of soldiers from register of Williamsville Hospital

As many War of 1812 buffs know, a military hospital was set up in Williamsville. This is a list of soldiers who were treated there.

In addition to these items, the Research Library has another 500 or so works on all aspects of the War of 1812! We invite you to visit and explore our vast holdings.

Loey RotchfordFront Desk Receptionist

A Star Crossed Life is the story of Andy Anselmo, an impoverished Buffalo native that was raised by second generation immigrant Sicilian parents, and grew up to become the vocal coach of stars such as Liza Minelli, Mandy Patinkin, and Regis Philbin to name a few.

Anselmo’s book radiates with positivity. Even in poor financial situations, Anselmo made things work, not necessarily with penny pinching but with his can-do attitude and extraordinary will. His singing carries him- he is a man who has always loved and continues to love singing, and it is this enthusiasm which drove him throughout his long career as an entertainer and teacher. It is this passion and belief that he instilled in his students, enabling them to sing as they never had before.

The biography reads as though you are sitting next to Andy himself as he tells his story of stars he has crossed paths with. It is this comfortable narrative style which so captivated me as a reader. The names of the stars he worked with were not always familiar to me but because of Anselmo’s passion I often found myself Googling them to find out more.

The narrative sometimes hops around in time, which can be a bit strange but the stories are so good I found myself eagerly soaking it all up anyway. Overall, I was very satisfied with the read. It’s a nice peek into Anselmo’s memories and is a book which I would gladly pick up again.

Find “A Star-Crossed Life” in our Museum Shop.

• 1344 in-person patrons• Answered 900 emails

• Answered 625 phone calls• Scanned 436 images for exhibits and publications

• Sent out 319 letters & items by postal mail• Filled 38 interlibrary loan requests

• Worked with major scholars, authors, filmmakers, publishers, etc.

The Buffalo History Museum’s Third Friday lecture series

March 15th: RADIO • April 19th: MUSICMay 17th: SPORTS

NEW Family History Club

March 9: Trains • April 13: Pioneer Life May 11: “Collections,” What do you collect?

June 8: The Pan Am, Buffalo in 1901 July 13: The Civil War

Check out the calendar on the next page for more details.

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2 Saturday “Hotel @ The Lafayette: Tour with Lunch”, 12 p.m.

$35 general public, $30 members. Pre-registration required. Meet at the historic Hotel @ the Lafayette for a guided tour of the

building, lunch at hotel is included.

3 Sunday“Something Old, Something New,” 4-8 p.m.

$20 members, $25 general public. One day only bridal exhibit & auction event.

5 TuesdayToddler Story Time: St. Patrick’s Day, 10-11 a.m.

Museum admission, Free for members. Storytelling, hands on craft, museum exhibit tours.

6 Wednesday “Her Story: Charlotte Mulligan and The Twentieth Century

Club of Buffalo,” panel discussion, 6 p.m. Museum admission, Free for members of BHM and TCC.

Panelists will share history and insight about Charlotte Mulligan.

9 Saturday NEW: Family History Club: Trains, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

$10 per child/general public, $5 per child/member, adults are free. Pre-registration required. Model train diorama, craft activities,

museum tour and more.

13 Wednesday “The History of Buffalo’s First Ward,” 6 p.m.

Museum admission, free for members. Tim Bohen –will speak about his book “Against the Grain”, a story about immigrants who toiled in the hulls of grain ships and waterfront industries in the First Ward.

15 Friday“Giants of Buffalo: Radio,” lecture and cocktail reception, 6 p.m.

$10 general public, Free for members of BHM, The Music Hall of Fame, Broadcasters Association, & Sports Hall of Fame. Moderator John DiSciullo and

speakers Shane Gibson, Sandy Beach, Joey Reynolds, & Danny Neavereth.

16 Saturday“Louise Bethune & Mary Talbert” Trolley Tour, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.$60 general public, $58 members, pre-registration required. Tour begins at Forest Lawn, then heads over to the Hotel Lafayette, for a tour & lunch at

the Pan American Grill & Brewery, continuing on to the BHM.

20 WednesdayWar of 1812 lecture: “The Pendulum of War: Jan.-June 1813,” 6-8 p.m.

Museum admission, Free for members. Speaker, Richard Feltoe is a Canadian author, War of 1812 expert, and curator at the Redpathsugar

Museum in Toronto, ON. In collaboration with the Riverside Good Neighbors Planning Alliance & Historic Preservation Committee.

23 Saturday“Secrets from the Stacks: Women’s History,” 10-Noon

Museum admission, Free for members. “Library Open House” program. Artifacts related to women’s history will be on display with Cynthia Van Ness.

27 Wednesday “The Hotel Lafayette: A Beauty Reborn” lecture, 6 p.m.Museum admission, Free for members. Historian Susan Eck

highlights the history of the Hotel.

2 Tuesday“Toddler Story Time: Think Spring!, 10-11 a.m.

Museum admission, free for members. Storytelling, hands on craft, museum exhibit tours.

6 Saturday“Hotel @ The Lafayette: Tour with Lunch”, 12 p.m.

$35 general public, $30 members. Pre-registration required. Meet at the historic Hotel @ the Lafayette for a guided tour of the

building, lunch at hotel is included.

10 Wednesday “25 Years: A Retrospective”, photography by Michael Mulley

Community Gallery Opening Reception, 6 p.m.Free. Featuring photography of Buffalo and beyond by Michael Mulley, owner of the College Street and Queen City Galleries.

“Reconstructing and Firing a Greek Kiln: a Project in Experimental Archeology with speaker Lisa Kahn,” 6:30 p.m.

Free. This event is a collaboration with the Archeological Institute of America.

13 SaturdayNEW: Family History Club: Pioneer Life, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

$10 per child/general public, $5 per child/member, adults are free. Pre-registration required. Historic crafts, and exhibit tours. Explore

Buffalo in 1806 with a guided tour of the Pioneer Life.

17 Wednesday “The Flames of War: July-Dec. 1813,” 6 p.m.

Museum admission, free for members. Speaker is Richard Feltoe, Curator of the Redpathsugar Museum in Toronto.

19 Friday“Giants of Buffalo; Tommy Tedesco: The Unrecorded Story,”

lecture and cocktail reception, 6 p.m.$10 general public, Free for members of BHM, The Music Hall of Fame, Broadcasters Association, and Sports Hall of Fame. Guest

speakers and live music depicting Tedesco’s famous work.

20 Saturday“Secrets from the Stacks: Baseball History,” 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Museum admission, free for members. Library artifacts related to baseball history in the Research Library, interpretation by Cynthia Van Ness.

Trolley Tour, “The Rainbow City Tour: The Pan Am”, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.$60 members, $65 non-members, reservations required. Guided tour of Forest Lawn, tour of the Hotel @ The Lafayette, lunch is

included at the Pan American Grill & Brewery, guided tour of The Resource Center and Pan Am exhibit. The final stop will be the

“Ever After” exhibit.

24 Wednesday“E.M. Statler’s Buffalo” lecture, 6 p.m.

Museum admission, free for members. Historian and researcher Susan Eck will speak about E.M. Statler’s involvement in Buffalo

in 1895, his role in the 1901 Pan American Exposition, the creation of one of Buffalo’s best hotels, as well as the hotels in Buffalo at the

turn of the last century.

1 Wednesday “The History of Niagara Square: 188 years of Movers & Shakers,” 6 p.m.Museum admission, free for members. Historian Susan Eck will speak about the general history of Buffalo’s Niagara Square from 1825-1929

with an emphasis on Buffalo’s turn of the Century “movers and shakers”.

4 Saturday“Hotel @ The Lafayette: Tour with Lunch”, 12 p.m.

$35 general public, $30 members. Pre-registration required.

5 SundayPan Am Walking Tours, 12 p.m.

$10, Pre-registration required. Meet at the History Museum for an hour walking tour of the historic Pan Am grounds. Map with vintage photos is included.

7 Tuesday“Toddler Story Time: Trains!”, 10-11 a.m.

Museum admission, Free for members. Storytelling, hands on craft, museum exhibit tours.

8 Wednesday“Spring Textiles: Artifact lecture and Behind the Scenes Tour”

at the Resource Center, 6 p.m.$10 general public, free for members. Limited to 20 people. Pre-registration required. This program takes place at The Resource Center at 459 Forest Ave. Spring textiles in the Museum’s artifact collection are discussed as well

as a guided behind the scenes tour of where our textiles are stored.

11 SaturdayNEW: Family History Club: Collections, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

$10 per child/general public, $5 per child/member, adults are free. Historic crafts and museum exhibit tours. Learn why museums collect artifacts, tour the exhibit “Ever After,” and talk about what collections are in your home.

15 Wednesday “Influence of Weather on the Battles of the War of 1812”

Museum admission, Free for members. Speaker is Dr. Steven Vermette, Professor of Meteorology at the U.B.

17 Friday“Giants of Buffalo: Sports Hall of Fame,” 6 p.m.

$10 general public, Free for members of BHM The Music Hall of Fame, Broadcasters Association, and Sports Hall of Fame. Lecture begins at 7pm

with moderator John Boutet, speaker Dan Starr, Booker Edgerson and more!

18 SaturdayHouse History Workshop and Research Session,

Part I: 10-11 a.m., Part II: 11a.m. - 12 p.m. $10 for Part I only, $20 for both I and II. Pre-registration required for

Part II. Part I will include a “how to” begin your research workshop with our librarian. Part II patrons will start researching in the library.

Trolley Tour, “The Rainbow City Tour: The Pan Am”, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.$60 members, $65 non-members, reservations required. Guided tour of Forest Lawn, tour of the Hotel @ The Lafayette, lunch is included at the

Pan American Grill & Brewery, guided tour of The Resource Center and Pan Am exhibit. The final stop will be the “Ever After” exhibit.

22 Wednesday“Battle of Gettysburg,” lecture, 6 p.m.

Collaboration with the Buffalo Civil War Roundtable.

Dates subject to change

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Members receive 10% discount on many items.Evening Shopping Hours on Wednesday until 8 p.m.

Free & Plentiful Parking.