Holland Purchase Historical Society Newsletter Spring 2018

131 West Main Street hollanlandoffice@gmail.com

Batavia, NY 14020 www.hollandlandoffice.com

585-343-4727 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday

10 am—4 pm

Saturday Morning Children's Program: For children 7-12 years of age. The programs are designed by Ann Marie

Starowitz, and delivered by herself and the museum staff.. Only one session left. Details inside.

Java With Joe: The fourth Thursday of the month. Morning conversation with coffee & pastry. Details inside.

Trivia Night at the HLOM: Second Thursday of the month starting May 10th. 7:00pm. Family friendly. Details inside.

History Heroes Summer Program: Tuesdays to Fridays, July 17 through July 27. Register your day camper today!

Details inside.

"Kitchen Gardens of the Past Flourishing in the Present”: Tuesday June 5th, 7pm - 9pm. Kathie Woika, Master

Gardener from Bethany NY. Presentation on the garden designs and plants used daily by our ancestors. Cost $3 donation .

Guest Speaker Series: All events in this series begin at 7 pm unless otherwise noted.. Admission: $3 per

May 17- Earl McElfresh, "Map Making Process & Use of Historical Maps

June 7- Joyce Thompson-Hovey, "Civil War Music"

August 30- Toby Jewett, "War of 1812 on the Niagara Frontier"

September 12- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, "Pan-American Exposition, 1901"

Please Note: Additional programs and events will be added to the website as they arise

WHAT’S NEW AT THE HLOM:

The Speculator

Spring 2018 Page 2

It has been a very eventful first few

months to 2018 at the Holland Land

Office Museum. We have added many new and

interesting programs to our calendar and are

planning for even more in the coming months.

We have established a monthly Saturday

Morning Children's Program, led by Anne Marie

Starowitz, to further teach our youngest genera-

tion about history through fun. Another new

event is our "Java with Joe E.", a morning coffee

group to discuss various topics of local history.

It was also very exciting to have the Annual

Spring Antique Show and Sale at the Batavia

Downs Gaming & Hotel return for its 12th year. The HLOM was also honored

with a presentation in February from Dr. David Fitzpatrick, as he discussed

his new book on General Emory Upton, "Emory Upton: Misunderstood

Reformer." We would also like to thank No Blarney! for their wonderful Irish

music concert for St. Patrick's Day, which packed the museum. There is also

much to look forward to as we launch our own Trivia Night at the Museum in

May, as well as gear up for our History Heroes Summer Program in July. In

addition, be sure to keep an eye out for future entries in our Guest Speaker

Series, the next being antique mapmaker Earl McElfresh on May 17, as well

as musical acts, and other events through the spring and summer.

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE:

BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

HLOM Board of Directors

President:

Don Burkel

Vice President:

Patrick Weissend

Secretary:

Don Read

Finance:

Patrick Forsyth

Board Members:

James Dusen

Jeffrey Gillard

David Metzler

James Owen

Gina Schelemanow

Anne Mare Starowitz

Thomas Tiefel

Executive Director:

Ryan Duffy

Museum Assistant:

Nellie Slocum

Our Mission: "The Holland Purchase Historical Society

was established in 1894 to preserve the past and pioneer the

future of the living history of Genesee County."

Your tax deductible membership

in the HPHS is a great why to

support the county museum, but

have you considered one of the

other membership options for

your business, a friend or family?

Stop in or call the museum to find

out what benefits are included

with each.

*Individual—$30

*Family—$50

Patron—$100

Promoter (Business) $ 250

Lifetime—$1000

* Senior discount available

MEMBERSHIP

OPPORTUNITIES:

The final draft of the HLOM Strategic Plan will be completed by the end

of May. This will definitely provide the current and future boards and

committees a roadmap to success.

Now we need your input as members to provide us with ideas for exhibits,

programs and events for the future. Another very important component

for success is our volunteers. If you would enjoy working in the book / gift

shop, assisting with exhibits and programs, or serving on a committee,

please consider volunteering.

I wish to thank the Strategic Plan Committee (Ryan Duffy, Jim Dusen,

Tom Tiefel & Patrick Weissend), board members, and facilitator, Terry

Abrams, Western New York Association for Historical Agencies, for your

dedication and time in working with me to develop our plan.

Thank you for all of your support as we look forward to Making History

Happen at HLOM!

Don Burkel

President, Board of Directors (April 2018)

Spring 2018 Page 3

May 12th…

HLOM Gardens- Learn about plants

and help make the HLOM gardens

beautiful.

Join us at the museum the fourth Thursday of each

month, 9:00-10:30am for coffee, pastries and lively con-

versation about historical and cultural characters and

events. If you are interested in early morning coffee with

figures like Joseph Elliott, Emory Upton, Ely Parker,

and others, please contact the museum at 343-4727 and

we will be happy to keep a chair and a warm cup of “joe”

waiting for you.

"Java With Joe E.”

Thursdays:

April 26th

May 24th

June 21st

JAVA WITH JOE ELLICOTT: SATURDAY MORNING

CHILDRENS PROGRAM :

10AM to 12PM the 2nd Saturday of each month

$5 per child or $4 per child for HPHS members.

Please R.S.V.P. to the museum by the Thursday, May

10th for the program. For children ages 7 to 12.

Our February, March and April programs were highly

successful and fun was had learning history while

participating in hands on activities. There is only one left

date left iof this four part series.

THE SPECULATOR is now digital! If you

would like to receive the newsletter via email

please call or email the HLOM.

2018 HISTORY HEROES SUMMER PROGRAM

AT THE HOLLAND LAND OFFICE MUSEM

Program coordinator Anne Marie Starowitz has

returned for the 6th year of this highly

anticipated summer program.

Dates: Monday thru Friday, July 17 to July 20 &

Monday thru Friday July 24 to July 27

Morning drop-off 10:00AM

Afternoon pick up 4:00PM

Cost—Due at time of registration:

General: $ 25 per day & Fieldtrip day $40

HPHS members: $20 per day & Fieldtrip $30

REGISTER BEFORE IT FILLS UP.

LIMITED TO 40 CHILDREN.

Call the museum at 585--343-4727 or stop in at 131 West Main Street in Batavia to register

your History Hero day camper & inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

2017 Fieldtrip: Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Site

Penny Carnival

to benefit the

PTSD program

at the VA in

Batavia

Spread the news about all the Great things happening at your museum!

Spring 2018 Page 4

Children welcome with adult player

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE HLOM:

HISTORY TRIVIA FAMILY &

TEAM CHALLENGE

Second Thursday of the month beginning

May 10th @ 7:00pm

$3 per person/$2 for museum members Call for team pricing

Drink and snack concession stand available

(not included in price of admission)

Check Facebook, twitter and the website for details

& “SHARE” with your friends!

PUT TO USE YOUR KNOWLEGDE OF

SEEMINGLY TRIVIAL FACTS & LEARN

SOME NEW ONES!

Keep the Holland Land Office Museum thriving!

Make a tax deducible gift today. Giving makes things

like this happen: Exhibitions. Research. Programs

that reach out to thousands, that inspire and educate.

Your financial support enables the HLOM, the birth-

place of Western New York, maintain its tradition of

excellence by funding:

Unique educational programs for adults &

children

A large collection of artifacts reflecting Genesee

County achievements

New perspectives on our cultural heritage

Much more

You tax deductible gift helps make possible a museum

of unique learning and discovery that is shared my

Genesee county residents and beyond.

Donations of funds & “In Kind” services welcome.

“Thank you” for your continued support.

GIVE TODAY:

The HLOM has many opportunities for anyone who has a

love for history, would just like to learn more about their

community, or anything in between. To become a volun-

teer, you do not need to have any particular knowledge in

the history field, just a desire to learn and work to bring our

stories to the public. We are currently looking for:

Docent/Tour Guide... give tours of the museum to

visitors

Front Desk... greet visitors, answer the phone, and

other administrative duties

Gift Shop… stock and price merchandise

Collections... assist in documenting and

researching items in the museum’s collection

Data Input... assist in updating

data for collections, membership,

book store, or exhibits

Committee Member…

Wonderland of Trees, Marketing,

Collections and more

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

TRIVIA Bonus Q & A for May 10th: What was the original

square mileage of Genesee County when it was created by

the Holland Land Purchase? 7,100 square miles

2018 WONDERLAND OF TREES

Save the

date :

Friday

November

16th

6:00PM

Can you believe it? Planning is already underway for

this highly anticipated museum fundraiser. Genesee

County and surrounding communities look forward each

year to kicking off the Christmas season with one of

the first community events of the holiday season.

2017 Participant:

Catty Shack– TNR & cat rescue group

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Want to get a

head start on

planning your

tree? ….

Spring 2018 Page 5

GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. David Fitzpatrick

THOMAS M. TIEFEL :

Thomas M. Tiefel is the appointed Historian for the

town of Bergen. Tom has been a resident within the

town of Bergen since 1995, when he purchased the his-

toric 1834 Lt. Thomas Dean Farmstead on North

Bergen Rd. Since that time, Tom has been a member of

the Bergen Historical Society, and has served on the

board as both vice president and president from 2000-

2008. During his term as BHS president, Tom had

personally overseen such projects as the approval of

various grant funding from New York State for the

Harford Livery Museum, and the revision of the

Bergen Historical Society’s Constitution and By-Laws.

Over the last 23 years, Tom has gained a great

appreciation for the extensive history Bergen has

acquired over the last two centuries. With his previous

vast knowledge of American History, and antiquities,

Tom incorporates these all together to make Bergen's

history both exciting and

informative. Mr. Tiefel takes

great pride in serving as

Bergen’s Historian and his

passion for local history

bridges the ages 8-80

demographic. He is always

eager to assist in many new

exciting projects that lie

ahead to preserve the past

for future generations.

RYAN DUFFY:

It was a little over a year ago that Ryan came to

Batavia to become the Executive Director of the

Holland Land Office Museum. Previously Ryan lived

in Eden, NY in southern Erie County. He studied

History at St. Bonaventure University and received a

Master's in History from Bowling Green State

University. Following the completion of that degree,

he became a substitute teacher at the middle and

high school levels for three years. He is currently

enrolled in the Museum Studies Certificate Program

at Buffalo State. Ryan has been involved in the

museum field for ten years at this point. Ryan knew

from a young age that history was his passion, and

particularly the work done in museums and other

public history institutions. While in college he volun-

teered as a tour guide at the Theodore Roosevelt

Inaugural Site in Buffalo to conduct architectural

tours of Allentown. As a graduate student, he spent a

summer as an intern at the

R u t h e r f o rd B . H a y e s

Presidential Center in the

collections department. Upon

his return to Buffalo, Ryan

became an on-site tour guide

for the Theodore Roosevelt

Inaugural Site, and history

walking tours at Canalside.

He has also performed work

for the Eden Town Historian.

SPECULATOR SPOTLIGHT:

In this issue the spotlight is on HPHS Board Member Thomas Tiefel and HLOM Executive Director Ryan Duffy.

On Friday, February 16, 2018 the museum held a meet

and greet and presentation of Dr. David Fitzpatrick's

new book "Emory Upton: Misunderstood Reformer," on

sale now in the museum bookstore. Dr. Fitzpatrick dis-

cussed Emory's life, previous held beliefs on Upton's

military career, and why he believes Upton is a mis-

understood reformer.

His visit to Batavia also included a stop an the Upton

homestead and panel discussion on Saturday, February

17, 2018 at Genesee Community College's Batavia Cam-

pus. Dr. Fitzpatrick and other local historians dis-

cussed Upton and other well known characters and

events of the civil war. Both events

were very well attend.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is faculty president and professor of

History at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor,

Michigan.

Spring 2018 Page 6

The first two of the HLOM newest series for child took

place in February & March. This new program series is

ran under the guidance of HPHS Board member Ann

Marie Starowitz. They have been very fun days at the

museum for everyone.

SATURDAY MORNING CHILDRENS PROGRAM

Our 12th Annual Batavia Antique Show and Sale

took place at the Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel

on April 6th and 7th. It featured a dozen-and-a-half

antique dealers from across New York State, from

as far as away as Binghamton and Syracuse. The

vendors wares included: jewelry, military items,

silver, artwork, furniture, and rustic pieces. The

show attracted nearly 500 visitors through the

doors across the two-day event. We hope to see you

next year, as we build upon this year's success to

make the show even better.

March 16, 2018: playing to a full house…

NO BLARNEY!

Batavia’s Favorite Irish Minstrels concert to benefit the HLOM

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

12th Annual Batavia Antique Show & Sale

Spring 2018 Page 7

YOUR OPINION MATTERS. Friends, please take a few minutes to fill out the HLOM on line survey. It

would be extremely helpful in providing you a better museum experience. It’s easy to locate because it is

right on the website homepage @ www.hollandlandoffice.com THANK YOU!

Melton Shirt Factory:

"It is my dream to see the production of Melton garments from American fabrics made in Batavia, NY."

- Avraham Farzan

Los Angeles based engineer and entrepreneur Avraham Farzan has recently been working with local Batavians to

open the Melton Shirt Company in Batavia NY. Farzan's vision is to open a small museum about Melton Shirt

Company with a small shop selling products made in America in Batavia.

The Melton Company can trace it's beginnings to Batavia when in October of 1918, Joseph Horowitz opened the

Horowitz Shirt Company in Batavia on Jackson Street. The factory moved to Liberty Street in 1920. Through the

years the Horowitz Shirt Company made shirts for large firms such as, J.C. Penney Company, Montgomery Ward

and Company, as well as, Horowitz made 150,000 shirts for the Army in 1941. Joseph Horowitz died in 1955 and the

factory closed soon after. In 1965 Abraham and George Alpert hired the former Horowitz Shirt Factory employees to

make Enfield shirts and sold the business to Monroe

Davidson who made woolen shirts and jackets under the

name, Melton Shirts. In 1996 Melton announced that they

would no longer manufacture shirts at their plant due to the

high costs and soon after that the outlet store closed.

There is currently no set date for the Melton Company to

open. Farzan is currently working with many local figures

and organizations to get things in motion and a location open.

It is not known yet if the location will be at any of the old

locations where Horowitz and/or Melton were located.

If you have any machinery, clothing, sewing machines or even

stories please contact the County Historians office at County

Building 2 located at 3837 West Main Street Road.

Contributed By James R. Owen, Holland Land Office Board Member

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT:

On display at the HLOM, the Congressional Medal of Honor

awarded to First Lieutenant Charles F. Rand presented to

him for the “most distinguished gallantry in action” in theatre.

It is the oldest of the Congressional Medals of Honor, first

instituted during the American Civil War, and is the highest

military decoration presented to a member of the United

States of America’s armed forces.

On July 18, 1861, the then Sergeant C. F. Rand, was part of

Company K 12th NY Volunteers. On that date at Blackburn’s

Ford, VA, Sgt. Rand remained in action when part of his

company broke “in disorder”. He joined and then fought with

another regiment throughout the engagement. Also on

display is the letter dated October 13, 1897 from the War

Department notifying Rand of his receiving the award.

Currently on display in the “West Wing.”

Congressional Medal of Honor

belonging to Charles F. Rand

ARTIFACT SPOTLIGHT:

Find Us On

Social Media!

Instagram

@HLOMuseumWNY

Facebook

www.facebook.com/

HLOMuseumWNY

Twitter

@HLOMuseumWNY

Holland Land Office Museum

131 West Main Street

Batavia, NY 14020

We’re on the Web!

HollandLandOffice.com

Expires June 30, 2018

10% Off One Item

In the

Joseph Ellicott

Book & Gift

Shop

Expires June 30, 2018

“Local Favorites” Available in the bookstore:

Up South series by Lynda Breckenridge Gaetano

Back in the Day: Snapshots of Local History, the Way I See

It! by Anne Marie Starowitz

Emory Upton: Misunderstood Reformer

by Dr. David Fitzpatrick

Shadow By the Bridge by Suzanne Zewan

The Joseph Ellicott Book & Gift Shop has a variety of non-fiction and

fiction books by local authors as well as works from nationally known

authors. Stop in and pick up a gift of a book, a tchotchke or a gift

membership in the Holland Purchase Historical Society.

JOSEPH ELLICOTT BOOK & GIFT SHOP:

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that the HLOM has rooms that you can use to

host your organization’s meetings?

For more information please call the museum at: 585-343-4727