Old Stone Fort News

In spite of a weak economy and an 18 percent drop in individual and family visitation, last year’s museum attendance of 7,554 was the highest since 1996. Adult group visits and event attendance also increased in 2002. For the first time, over 1,000 school students toured and participated in a variety of special programs and historical experiences – a 24 percent increase from the previous year. A significant number of these school visits occurred in October, a gratifying indication that the teachers are using our educational programs as an introductory experience, rather than an end-of-the-year review or reward. In addition, 549 people used the library and we presented programs off-site for another 529, resulting in a total of 8,644 people served, the highest number in nearly a decade.

On October 12, members of the recreated 125^th and 134^th N.Y. Volunteer Infantry regiments set up a Civil War encampment to commemorate the 140^th anniversary of the 134^th’s mustering into federal service at the Schoharie fairgrounds. We sincerely appreciate their dedication on a miserable, rainy day when we know they would rather have been somewhere else.

Our 2002 season ended with Christmas at the Old Stone Fort and the Festival of Trees. A volunteer committee, headed by Gene Vroman, put together a successful event which included children’s programs on Saturday and a social tea on Sunday. There were a record 44 trees on exhibit in the Fort! A fund-raising raffle was held, and prizes included a fully decorated tree donated by the New York Power Authority, a gift basket from Wellington’s Herbs and Spices, and a tote bag of museum store items. Congratulations to winners Karen Wilson, Martha Morris and Keith Foland.

Plans for 2003 include a celebration of the centennial of Schoharie’s oldest automobile, Perry and Eleanor Taylor’s 1903 Rambler. Exhibited at the museum since 1936, a special display will include information about the Rambler, its owners, and the dawn of the automobile age. The car will “star” in an August event, where one of the highlights will be an attempt by the Schoharie regional chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America to start its 100-year-old engine, which was apparently in running condition when the car was donated by the Taylors. – Carle J. Kopecky

The Society’s web site, www.SchoharieHistory.Net, drew 33,655 separate user sessions during 2002. – L.E.H.

Membership Drive

The Schoharie County Historical Society is having a membership and fund drive this year. The goal is to increase the Society’s membership from its present level of 700 to at least 850 and raise a total of $12,000 for the educational activities of the museum. The membership committee believes we can do even better. Why not 1,000 members? With your help, we stand a fighting chance to reach this ambitious goal.

There are many ways you can help us meet our goals. Something each individual member can do to help the campaign is to bring in one new member. Encourage a friend or relative to join. Every issue of the Historical Review includes a membership form, and we will be happy to mail a sample copy to anyone, anywhere. Remember that all new members receive both issues of the Review, whether they join in the middle of the year or not, plus a free reprint copy of Judge John M. Brown’s 1823 Brief Sketch of the First Settlement of the County of Schoharie by the Germans.

A surefire way to draw in a new member is to give a membership as a gift. Membership makes for a great birthday, graduation, or “just because” present. Can’t do it now? Think ahead for next year and remember that a membership makes for a fantastic Christmas present. The idea is to get that special someone hooked on the Schoharie County Historical Society and all its activities and benefits, so that he or she will renew that membership for years to come. Trustees, the membership committee, and others have already given the campaign a jumpstart by accepting this challenge. Will you also plant a history seed? – C.J.K.

Hartmann’s Dorf House Restoration to Resume

Restoration of the mid-18th century Hartmann’s Dorf house will resume this summer, funded in part by a $20,000 grant from the state’s Heritage New York program. This is one of the oldest dwellings in the county and in spite of its being converted to a hops-drying house in the 19^th century, it remains a rare example of 18th century German architecture in America. The building was moved to the museum grounds and preserved by the Historical Society in the late 1970s. The most recent work was done in 1994.

This year’s restoration will preserve and restore the windows, siding and shutters. The inside walls will be restored and a new floor put down in the kitchen. Installation of hidden electric lights will allow this important building to be opened to the public. This will not complete the restoration, but will set the stage for completion of the project in the not-too-distant future. – C.J.K.

Museum Activities

An ongoing inventory and reorganization of the artifact collection continues, using 48 steel storage cabinets obtained last year from the New York State museum. Major progress in documenting the collection was made this winter by searching correspondence files from the 1930s to 1950s. Copies of thank you letters are being used to create accession and donor files for many objects. This information has already proven valuable in answering inquiries. As weather improves, we will begin moving objects from cardboard boxes and open shelves into the steel cabinets. This is a huge and ongoing project that requires volunteer assistance. If you can spare some time, please contact curator Dan Beams at the museum.

Volunteer Naomi Wikane has been busy in the library, relocating many uncataloged books to make them temporarily available until the Library of Congress numbers are assigned to them. She is also inventorying the contents of the flat files containing oversize maps, deeds, and other archival materials.

There are plenty of opportunities for anyone interested in history to volunteer and be a part of the museum. For information, call (518) 295-7192, or visit the website www.SchoharieHistory.net.

The museum is in need of a good-quality digital camera, for photographing artifacts and documents as well as taking publicity photos. Resolution capability should be at least three megapixels (approx. 2,000 x 1,500 resolution) with a macro-focus lens.

We also need a flat-bed scanner capable of scanning slides and negatives (4” x 5” preferred).

Equipment gifts can be tax-deductible. Contact museum director Carle Kopecky, (518) 295-7192 or e-mail director@schohariehistory.net. Thank you. – C.J.K.

2003 Summer Lecture Series

The education committee has lined up some fascinating speakers for these popular programs. Thanks to Marlene Towne and her volunteer sub-committee.

July 10 – Linn tractors, Charles Billy.

July 24 – History and politics of the Korean War on its 50th anniversary, Lt. Col. Harrison J. Moot, U.S. Army, retired.

August 7 – The adaptive reuse of the Howes Cave quarry, by Clemens McGiver, Dana Cudmore and Benson Guenther.

August 21 – The look of ladies’ and women’s wear, 1861-1865, by Kim Howe.

Lectures are held on Thursdays in the William Badgley Museum, Old Stone Fort Museum Complex, Schoharie, at 7:30 P.M. These programs are free of charge and open to the public. – C.J.K.