Winter Lecture Series – 2019

Local history is brought alive with the 2019 edition of the Winter Lecture Series at the N-AHS museum on High St.  All programs are held on Saturdays at 2:00.

 

February 16 – Every Newark Picture Tells a Story

John Zornow highlights a pictorial presentation of Newark times gone by.  Come see the unique photographs as John informs us of the history behind them.

 

March 2 – The Lost Wineries of Western New York

 

Jane Oakes has been involved with historic education for over forty years.  Come join us as she presents insight into the forgotten commercial wineries of the Finger Lakes region in areas you might not expect.

 

March 16 – Wells Barns

Katie Andres, Barb Chapman and Dick Thomas of the Wells Barn Legacy Project will give a fascinating presentation about the over 200 barns built in western NY by John T. Wells.  Wells, born near Scottsville in 1843, was a builder, self-trained architect and inventor.  His patented truss system was used in the barns he built, some more than 100 years ago.  Many remain standing.

 

March 30 – Willard Asylum

Seneca County Historian Walt Gable will speak on the history of  Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane.  Opened in 1869, the asylum was created to give more humane treatment to those who suffered in torturous conditions in county-based almshouses.  It’s evolution will be discussed.

 

A Fond Goodbye

photo by Marc Kreuser

It was an average winter day on December 29th when a not so average event took place.  Dozens of former teachers, students and friends of Roosevelt School gathered to reacquaint and reminisce over their  common bond of a school that is soon to pass into history.

The East Ward School was completed in 1912 and renamed for President Theodore Roosevelt in 1920.  The elementary school served as an anchor for the East Newark community for decades before closing in 1976.  It then lent its name to the Roosevelt Children’s Center, which subsequently occupied the building  before moving to their current home on Pierson Ave.

Among the attendees were former Roosevelt teachers Beulah Smith Tiebout, Linda Brongo, Anna Moens and Eileen Godfrey.  Seated in the front was Dorothy DeWispelaere DeMay, an early former student and prominent Historical Society member.