Historical Society News

This year I had the privilege of conserving and performing on the museum’s 1840s-era keyed bugle. The Society’s Museum and Library Committee authorized the use of this rare and unusual artifact on a limited basis to enlighten the public about how musical instrument technology has evolved, and how the sound of popular music has changed.

Minimal repairs were needed to this copper and brass instrument. A felt pad was replaced on one key. A rubber band temporarily eliminated the need to repair a broken spring on another. The original ivory mouthpiece cannot be performed on, but a suitable metal mouthpiece was located. Then, I had to learn to play it! I was unable to locate a fingering chart for a seven-key E-flat bugle, so I used my experience with the serpent (an 18th century bass horn) and began to experiment. The fingerings — all five fingers of the right hand plus the thumb and forefinger of the left — are unlike any instrument I ever encountered, not like a woodwind or a brass, but there is a certain unique logic to the system. After a few weeks I could play several tunes. The instrument sounds similar to a trumpet, but softer and less “brassy.” Sweeter, perhaps? Not at my skill level!

The official debut performance was at the Strawberry Festival, where I played a popular pre-Civil War ballad “Hard Times, Come Again No More.” The instrument has also been played at a meeting of the Esperance Historical Society and for one of our educational workshops.

Advance troop registration for the 19th annual commemoration of the 1780 Johnson-Brant attack on the fort exceeds 200 with non-combatants bringing the total to more than 300 costumed participants. We expect an overwhelming number of crown forces this year. A large contingent of artillery as well as the Royal Yorkers from Canada will bolster the British ranks along with regular “redcoats,” German Jaegers, loyalists and Indians. Expect to see the valley’s stalwart defenders more hard pressed than usual. Surprise historical vignettes will be enacted throughout the weekend.

The Old Stone Fort Museum Education Department redesigned and improved program offerings, added some new ones, and distributed a detailed package of information to schools this year. We would be happy to provide copies upon request. More than 500 students from 16 schools visited this spring and summer, in addition to programs presented off-site to nearly 300 participants.

This year also saw the beginning of a series of hands-on workshops that will continue to expand in scope and attendance. A high point in our educational activities was sharing the responsibility for the Stone Fort Volunteer Militia program, described below. We also provided services for small, specialized study groups and an Eagle Scout project.

Since the beginning of the season as many as a dozen and a half people have turned out on the first and third Saturdays of the month to learn fundamental military drill and marching skills. An introduction to practical skills, such as making period shirts and breeches, rounds out the program. The program is continuous and will run as long as there are members.

The goal is to re-create the Schoharie militia of 1778 and interpret that era at the museum and around Schoharie County. This doesn’t replace or compete with our friends of the re-created 2nd Regiment, Albany County Militia, who host Stone Fort Days and participate in other activities. But the 2nd travels to reenactments all over and can’t be here on a regular basis.

Even though the Stone Fort Volunteer Militia program is new, other nearby museums are taking note. Everyone involved in the program is a volunteer, donating time, knowledge or supplies. There is no fee to join and everyone 12 and older is welcome to join for as long as they please. Unlike sports teams, parents are encouraged to share the experience with their children.

The Stone Fort Volunteer Militia will meet occasionally during the winter, then resume what promises to be an exciting regular schedule next spring when the museum opens. Anyone interested in registering or seeking further information can call volunteer education coordinator George Benson at the Old Stone Fort. Brochures are also available.

The Old Stone Fort Museum complex has been collecting and preserving objects of Schoharie culture for over 100 years. The collection is widely diverse, including things from early native artifacts to 20th century communications technology.

One of the many challenges of being the curator is to attempt to put objects into some kind of order so visitors are able to study and learn from them. That’s one reason why we create exhibits. Exhibits are one of the best ways for the public to view and learn from the collection of any organization.

The first-floor exhibit walks visitors through 300 years of local history with an emphasis on the American Revolution and the role the Stone Fort and area inhabitants played during that conflict. One such inhabitant was David Ellerson, one of the 500 sharpshooters in Daniel Morgan’s elite rifle corps. He and other riflemen were assigned by George Washington to help defend the Schoharie settlements.

The Society was able to acquire Ellerson’s rocking chair this year, and we scanned the collection to find other artifacts related to him and his role in the valley.

Our temporary exhibit this year focused on the diverse collection of hats that the Society has acquired over the years. The theme emphasized the many different hats that people have worn over the years and the reasons behind their style choices.

Exhibits on the lower floor of the Badgley Annex building were updated and expanded. The exhibit explores early trades and transportation in Schoharie County and how each was supported by the other. Tools from a tin shop were a new addition for the season while many objects were added to the wood working area. There were also a number of items taken out of storage and added to the blacksmith’s forge area. The Rambler automobile saw the light of the sun for a few hours this summer while we took some good photographs for publicity. Its 100th birthday is coming up in 2003.

Improvements were made to the schoolhouse exhibit this Spring. Period-correct workbooks were added to the desks and a sound system with a short informational recording was partially installed.

Next year’s exhibit changes are already in the works but will not be finalized for some time. We have many ideas and would like to get as many objects out of storage and on display as we can.

Overall, it’s been a very challenging and rewarding year for a new curator. I am preparing for the coming Fall and look forward to the new season of 2002. —Dan Beams

After nine years of service, Christine Palmatier our librarian/archivist/ registrar, has moved to a new job. We say sad good-byes and hearty congratulations. The Society has been interviewing candidates.

Thanks to a generous donation from library volunteer Sally Swantz, we now have a new microfilm reader, a film storage cabinet, light box, and several new books for researchers to use. Anyone who had to read microfilmed newspapers sideways on our old reader will be relieved to know that the new machine has a rotating platform. —C.J.K.

Attendance for 2001 is up significantly at the Old Stone Fort Museum Complex. By the end of August, individual family admissions were up 9 percent, an increase of 251 visitors over last year. Last year visitation was also up 11 percent so we are doing very well indeed. If the current trend continues and weather is good for Stone Fort Days, 2001 will be our fourth consecutive year of increased visitation. —C.J.K.

The annual Strawberry Festival in June was attended by more than 300 people this year, so many that we had to run out for more ice cream.

For the first time the event was preceded by a business open house co-sponsored by the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce. The open house raised public awareness of our ongoing activities and programs. Strawberry Festival coordinators Ethel Robinson and Toni Bray and the volunteers and staff can be proud of raising more than $650 for the Society. —C.J.K.