There are two levels of exhibits at the museum.
The first is the Current Exhibit, which changes every year in June. You will see this exhibit in the Main Room as you enter the museum. It is composed of a major exhibit plus one or more secondary exhibits. The rest of the museum houses the Permanent Exhibit, displayed in the remaining rooms and corners. Some displays are indeed permanent and others are rotated on an infrequent basis so that most of the Museum’s trove of antique treasure has a chance to be seen at some point in time. You can see past exhibits by clicking this link. Past Exhibits
Current Exhibit
The major exhibit at the Newark-Arcadia Museum showcases the Bloomer Brothers Co. The museum has an exceptional collection of artifacts on display from this company including photographs and a colorful array of ice cream, butter and egg cartons. A number of other items used in the factory on Norton St. are also on display.
This important Newark industry was founded in 1895 by Stephen F. Sherman as the American Packaging Co. in Schuylerville, N.Y. The company soon moved to Newark. In 1899, it was sold to Sherman’s nephews, the brothers Charles & Robert Bloomer.
The company pioneered the development of the egg carton, as well as ice cream cartons that could easily be peeled away from the contents. The company also invented the “oyster pail” in 1908 (aka Chinese food cartons).
Bloomer Bros. Company became the Riegel Paper Corporation in 1960 and soon after, the manufacturing plant moved to a new location on Van Buren St. Riegel sold to the Fold-Pak Corporation in 1977 and operations continued until 2002, when carton making in Newark ended for good.
One secondary exhibit is the Old Newark Hospital Display
We will be honoring the centennial of the original Newark Hospital, which opened in 1921 on West Miller St. It was founded by Dr. Edwin York. It began in a house, with two additions later added, enveloping the structure. It served Newark until the new Newark-Wayne Hospital opened in 1957.
Another secondary exhibit is the Collector’s Corner
An added feature in 2021, member-collectors will periodically be displaying their collections, with a new display every few months. Be sure to return to visit the museum frequently, as these displays may not return.
Permanent Exhibit
During Newark’s past, the village was host to many important industries and companies, some local and some national and even international. Among them were rose growers Jackson & Perkins, whose Rose Gardens in Newark were met with worldwide acclaim. Nursery stock grower C.H. Stuart evolved into world leaders with their Sarah Coventry and Caroline Emmons jewelry lines.
Other important companies were the Edgett-Burnham Canning Co. and the Bloomer Bros. Co., who manufactured folding containers. Reed Mfg. Co. made tinware, graniteware and enamelware and the Trotter Refrigerator Co. manufactured oak ice boxes.
Artifacts from all of these companies are on display in the Permanent Exhibits.
There are also whole room displays. The Erie Canal Room has dramatic photos of canal construction, canal artwork, books and postcards. The Transportation In Newark Room includes displays for the Rochester, Syracuse & Eastern Trolley (1906-1931), the Newark Federal Airport (opened 1929), automobile manufacturer The Mora Car Co. (1906-1911), along with Railroads and Automobiles, which includes dealerships, repair & filling stations.
Another display pays tribute to Modern Spiritualism & the Fox Sisters, who founded Modern Spiritualism outside of Newark March 31, 1848.
The museum also has a complete collection of Newark High School yearbooks, dating to 1948, along with many senior class composites.
The Thelma Prutzman Research Room is well stocked with local history books, atlases, maps, genealogy books, census & cemetery records, Civil War books, and much, much more.