Nunda

Historical

Society

November 1, 2007

Dear Friends,

A new year is underway at your Historical Society and we have some exciting Nunda programs planned in recognition of the Town of Nunda Bicentennial and the Society's 25th Anniversary in 2008. If you have been a Society member and supporter during the past twenty-four years, we certainly want to THANK YOU and ask that you continue your support by renewing your membership for 2007-2008. If you have not been a member in the past, now is the perfect time to join the Society and help us celebrate both anniversaries.
The Society does need to grow and that means increasing memberships and financial supporters. Tell your friends and neighbors about our museum, the Rose Shave Gallery and interesting programs. Bring them in for a visit and encourage them to renew or join as new members. The museum is open Sundays 2 - 4:00 PM through November and at other times by special arrangement. The enclosed program and events list for the coming year includes our monthly programs and some information on Homecoming Week (July 12 - 19), a Bicentennial Celebration.

Some Society activities and accomplishments this past year and plans for 2007-2008:

Another successful series of monthly programs last year included: Mary Jo Marks with; "Clara Barton - Angel of the Battlefield"; George F. Paul with "The Wonderful Talking Machine"; Dave Pattridge with "Life in a Civil War Camp"; Bob Marcotte, with "Nunda's Civil War Soldiers"; Leanora Brown with "The Centennial of Letchworth State Park "; Becky Glass with "Courtship Through the Ages"; Tom Roffe with "The Flying Allens: Famous in Their Time, BUT Almost Forgotten"; Jim Kimball, Mitzie Collins and Karen Canning with "Genesee Valley Music"; Joan Schumaker with "Remembering Messinger's Hollow/Oakland"; and Tom Cook and Keshequa students with "Remembering Nunda's East Street." A special thank you to all these presenters for their outstanding programs.

-In November, the Society sponsored the first Nunda History Day, bringing about 250 students and adults to the museum in a day-long program that included: : Civil War Encampment by members of Cushing's Battery A. 4th U.S. Light Artillery; Museum Scavenger Hunts for all ages; "Find Your House" Activity using 1858, 1872, and 1902 maps; 19th Century Music by Sue Henglesburg; Missy Van Dam Spinning Cotton and Flax; David Palmer with Unusual Historic Tools; and Guided Tours of the Nunda Museum by Historical Society Staff. This was followed by a Soldiers Tour of Oakwood Cemetery, a "Dinner Social" at Kiwanis Park, and "Life in a Cicil War Camp", the evening's program at the museum. We wish to thank all the participants, including teachers, students, and parents for making this a most successful day. The second Nunda History Days are planned for October 22 & 23, 2008.

-The Society also sponsored a Mountain Dulcimer Project, headed by Tom Cook, that included classes under the supervision of Sue Hengelsburg. About 12 - 20 aspiring dulcimer players met twice monthly at the museum for fun and practice. The group entertained at the Society Annual Picnic in June and again in a special concert at the museum on October 15. The group is now known as The Genesee Valley Mountain Dulcimer Club and has scheduled concerts for December 9 at the museum and April 5, 2008 at the Mt. Morris Dam Visitor Center. New members are always welcome to join and the club has dulcimers for beginners to use.

-We were most pleased to receive funding assistance from the New York State Council on the Arts through a Community Arts Grant administered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts. Grant monies supported Jim Kimball & Friends, the Mountain Dulcimer Project, and "Sterling Brass" (the Reunionists Program).
In May the Society program included exhibiting the newly conserved and framed Gillette & French 1858 wall map of Livingston County. Work on this map was completed by Westlake Conservators with a $4,500 Conservation Treatment Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts through a re-grant program administered by the Lower Hudson Conference. This 61" x 59" wall map, donated to the Society by Lois and Marlie Buchinger, will remain on permanent display in the museum.

-The Society hosted the June meeting and picnic of the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies Board of Directors. Joan Schumaker is a Director of this organization that serves a nine county area in Western New York State.

-The Society again hosted the Annual Nunda Reunionists gathering in August that included a tour of Oakwood Cemetery, special gallery exhibits at the museum, a delicious luncheon at the Methodist Church, and a special Concert at the Nunda Village Park Gazebo. Please note that in 2008 the Reunionists will be meeting with the Nunda/Keshequa Alumni on July 19 as part of the Bicentennial Homecoming Week.

-We continue to receive donations to the Society's Collection from area residents. THANKS to these generous members and friends. Society librarians, Margaret Barkley, Sally Hall, and Alice Thompson meet weekly to catalog donated items. Former Librarian, Gail Diemoz, also lends a hand. A Big THANK YOU to these devoted members for their continued efforts in this most essential task. Remember the Society when you come across old photos and artifacts having to do with the Nunda area. We have the computer and software to create our computerized catalog of the Collection. We still need volunteers to do data entry. Please let us know if you can help with this project.

The Museum and Rose M. Shave Gallery is open for visitors on Sundays from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M., April through November. Special thanks go to Margaret and Gerald Barkley for working many Sundays and also to Charles Ostrum, Joan Schumaker, and Sally Hall.

Fund-Raising activities for 2006--2007 to Benefit Society Building Fund and plans for 2007-2008:

-The beautiful full color Nunda Tapestry Afghan continues to be a Hit! Afghan sales assist the Society with renovations needed for the museum. Please consider the afghan as a Christmas gift. See the back of this letter for ordering information.

-Our Seventh Annual Fabulous Fall Yard Sale brought in about $580. Thanks to those who brought or bought items and also many thanks to members who worked on this sale.

-Nunda Historical Society Books for sale are listed on the back of this letter and include: our Cookbook, "Early Years" by Marjorie Frost, and "The Centennial History of the Town of Nunda" by Captain Hand. Bicentennial publications for sale are also listed on the back.

-Decorated Christmas Wreaths are again available. This will be our seventh year, and we hope to continue the trend of increasing sales each year. See the enclosed order form.

-The Annual December Bake Sale was a success and we owe a Special Thanks to Nunda Lumber & Hardware for hosting us. Note: this year's Bake Sale will be at the museum on Dec. 8.

-The museum will be open all day during Christmas in Nunda on Dec. 7 & 8. See details at end of this letter.

-Museum renovation projects have been on hold mostly due to the need to complete paper work required for the $25,000 Legislative Grant. We will be submitting the building renovation proposal for the north section of the museum in the near future. Our other large grant application was not successful so some of our wish list will be delayed until we find funding. Thanks also to Gerald Barkley and Charlie Ostrum who continue to serve as our Maintenance Crew.

-This next year we look forward to: removal of two large overhead doors in the rear of the building; rebuilding this west wall and insulating this portion of the building; and installing a new floor and ceiling in this section. This will allow more exhibit space for the museum.

-Projects on our wish list (we would like to complete some this next year) include: air conditioning and appropriate monitors to control temperature and humidity; landscaping; creating a new larger archival storage area; and transforming the current archival space to a library;

While we have accomplished much, we continue to need your help.

Like you we have basic building maintenance and rising utility costs to cover, as well as costs associated with the improvements/renovations noted above. Donations of needed items, materials or services could substantially reduce our costs. If you have a special talent, please consider donating your services. Even if you do not think yourself talented, please still consider donating some time to help with our various projects. We should be able to find a place for you.

We were most pleased to receive a few significant monetary gifts for the museum project and new memberships as a result of the Reunionists mailings in July. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to those of you who are already 2007-2008 members for your generous support and to those who are able to send an extra donation at this time with their membership.

What can you do?

• Become a 2007-2008 member of the Society and consider upgrading your membership to a higher level. Complete the Membership Form and return it with your dues in the enclosed envelope.
• Consider a special donation of cash or securities to assist with the museum project.
• Consider volunteering and/or serving on one of the Society's committees. We need your help!
• Come to a meeting in the near future (Nov. 11 or Dec .12) and bring a friend.
• Do some of your Christmas shopping with us: Afghans, wreaths, and books. We will be open all day Dec. 7 & 8 for Christmas in Nunda
• Donate baked goods to the Annual Bake Sale at the museum on Dec 8 and/or take some goodies home with you.

Nunda Historical Society Board of Directors ­ 2007 - 2008: President: - Joan Schumaker, Vice President - Tom Cook, Recording Secretary - Barbara Byrnes, Corresponding Secretary - Fran Ludwig, Treasurer -
Cindy Welch, Directors - Thomas Byrnes, Philip Cox, Kathleen Macomber, Charles Ostrum, Librarians - Margaret Barkley, Sally Hall, Alice Thompson _____________________________________________________________________________

Christmas in Nunda - Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007
Visit us at the museum - The Society and The Town of Nunda Bicentennial Committee have a number of interesting and timely items you should consider for Christmas gifts. They include:
a good selection of Nunda history books for sale - See list on the back of this letter
The beautiful woven Nunda Historical Society Coverlets
2008 Bicentennial Calendars, Bicentennial pins, hats, bonnets, and (we hope) shirts
Orders will also be taken for "The Town of Nunda Bicentennial Commemorative Plate"
There will be a limited edition of 250 Japanese Porcelain 8.25" ivory coupe plates with a sepia toned picture of the Nunda Village Square, circa 1900, and a gold band surrounding the plate. Plates will have a back stamp giving historic information on the Town and Nunda Village Square. Each will be numbered and individually boxed. You will be able to see a photo of the plates that are scheduled for delivery in the second week of December. The Bicentennial Plates sell for $30 each.
Enjoy music at the museum by The Genesee Valley Mountain Dulcimer Club on the 8th 2 - 4 PM. Come and make music yourself using our dulcimers in the afternoons of both days. For information call: 476-2354 05 468-5591