GHS Changes for the Board of Directors

The Galen Historical Society Board of Directors has experienced a few changes recently. Dan Bastedo retired, and Jeff Hibson resigned from the board.  The Board would like to thank them for all their input and assistance. We welcome Pam Anstee, and new member, Matt Drahms, to the board, and look forward to working with them.  The officers for 2015 are President- Beth Bailey, Vice President- Cheryl Bonnell, Recording Secretary- Lisa Stirpe, and Treasurer- Jim Darnell.  The Board of Directors meeting is once again on the first Monday of the month at 6:30pm. We will be in the large meeting room at the Clyde Savannah Public Library for March & April, and at the Brick Church Museum May through October. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.

GHS January 2015 Quarterly Meeting & BCM 2014 Christmas Decorations

The Galen Historical Society January 2015 Quarterly Meeting was interesting and fun. Gene Bavis, from Walworth, NY, presented his "Mural Mania" program and slide show. It included pictures of local murals from along the Erie Canal, and murals from Georgia, Ohio, and, even, Canada. The next Quarterly Meeting is scheduled for Monday April 27th, 2015, at the Brick Church Museum. There are also pictures of the Christmas decorations at the museum. Abby Bastedo, daughter of former board member, Dan Bastedo, designed and put up the display. Sherryle Godkin-Hoven found the toy train for us. We appreciate their efforts.

Mill Museum Clean Up Pictures and Plans

The Galen Historical Society and Clyde SPAN are working together to clean the Mill Museum and catalog items for the agricultural museum. As you can see from these pictures, the work crew has a big job ahead and some fascinating items to document.  Volunteers are always needed. They have a work session planned for Sat. Nov. 15th, 2014, from 9-11am. Future plans include starting a database of accessions from the Mill Museum, setting up interactive displays, working on the steam engine, and setting up a picnic table near the Erie Canal bike trail. There's a lot to do and anyone can come and help. Thank you, Dave Hickey, for the pictures.

GHS October 2014 Quarterly Meeting Pictures

 

Here's a couple of pictures from the October 2014 Quarterly Meeting featuring a presentation about local church organs by Hugh Miner, a personal history about the pump organ by Pat Morrison, a discussion about how pump organs work, and a sing-a-long to end the program accompanied by Larry Dapolito. It was a very memorable and enjoyable program. Thank you to Hugh Miner ( and his computer elf), Larry Dapolito, and Pat Morrison. The historical society is still accepting donations towards the cost of repairing the pump organ.

Historic Pump Organ Returns to Museum

Jim Darnell, Hugh Miner, Dan Ketchum, and Dan Bastedo moving the pump organ back into the museum. Beth Bailey rented the Uhaul truck and drove with Hugh Miner to Canandaguia to get it today. Thanks everyone!  We'll be featuring Larry Dapolito playing the refurbished pump organ at our October Quarterly meeting on Monday the 27th. The pump organ was donated to the historical society by the family of the late Wayne Morrison. Hugh Miner will also speak about area historical organs. Refreshments will follow.

New Songwriting Program Starting in May

‘Lincoln In Clyde’ Songwriting Project Gets Underway in May

    Under the direction of John & Nancy Bryan, a project to write and record songs about Abraham Lincoln and his  visit to Clyde will begin May 10th.  The Bryans’ have recently produced similar sets of songs recorded on CDs  for other historical organizations  — featuring The County Jail in Lyons and Memorial Day in Waterloo.

    The songwriting phase will be held on four successive Saturdays in May (10th, 17th, 24th & 31st) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Brick Church Museum, followed by practice and recording sessions in June.  In it, participants will be writing the lyrics and the Bryans composing the music.

    Everyone of any age is invited to participate in this initial songwriting portion of the project. Anyone who would like to continue with or join in for the singing and recording process in June will be notified about the dates when determined.  A public performance of the newly created songs will be held in August.  If interested in participating, please call the Bryans at (315) 923-7498.

  This project, free to all participants, is sponsored by the GHS and made possible by a grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

   Article written for the April 2014 Blockhouse Bulletin by Jim Darnell and used in this blog with his permission.

Organ Donations Needed

Organ Donors, We Need Your Help

   The help of the members of the GHS is needed to restore the historic organ which had been an integral part of the Clyde Baptist Church (now the Brick Church Museum) for over 80 years.  The organ was manufactured in 1873 by the Wilcox & White Organ Company of Meridian, Connecticut. The organ was obtained by Wayne Morrison when the Baptist Church was dissolved in 1955.  It was last played at Wayne and Pat’s wedding in 1967.  A year ago it was returned to  its original home, having been donated to the GHS by Pat Morrison.  The GHS board of directors has contracted to have the organ restored to playing condition, so that it once again can fill the building with music. It will be transported to Parson’s Pipe Organ Builders in Canandaigua this month to begin repairs. The restoration will cost nearly $5000.     

    An initial appeal for donations was made in the January Blockhouse Bulletin, with response from six members, for which we are very thankful.  To date, a total of $312 has been received.

    It is not too late for other members still wishing to make donations for this project to do so.  Any and all, large or small, donations especially designated for the organ restoration will be much appreciated. Donors’ names will be engraved for posterity on a plaque mounted conspicuously beside the organ.

    

    If you can help, please send donations to: Galen Historical Society, P.O. Box 43, Clyde, NY 14433.  

Article written for the April 2014 Blockhouse Bulletin by Jim Darnell and used in this blog with his permission.