The Board of Directors of the Historical Society accept donation from Constellation Energy’s representative, Dave Joslin
Sitting L-R: Liz Albright, Jean Tsepas, Vera Graves Judy Powley
Standing L-R: JoAnn Meaker, Dave Joslin, Carol Boughton, Bill Slocum, Shirley Lockwood-Kushall, Beth Howard, Jim Graves and Herm Auch.
Constellation Energy donates to Ontario Historical Society
At the April15 meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Town of Ontario Historical and Landmark Preservation Society, the Board welcomed Dave Joslin, representative from Constellation Energy. Dave presented a donation check for $10,000 to the Society from Constellation Energy. He stated that, “Constellation Energy’s focus areas in grant giving include the environment and education. The Landmark Society is a wonderful educational opportunity for visitors of all ages and educational levels and it’s a rich part of a community that we’re so thrilled to be a part of.”
The Historical Society is a non-profit, private organization that owns and operates Heritage Square Museum located on Ontario Center Road, one mile south of Ginna Nuclear Power Plant (owned by Constellation Energy). The donation from Constellation comes at a very opportune time. Recent estimates for repairs of masonry, carpentry and painting of two of the 1800’s historic buildings (the Ore Miner’s House and the Baptist Meeting House) come to just over the $10,000 that was donated. With this donation, work can begin this spring on the much needed repairs to keep the Society’s goal of historic preservation met.
Historical Society Celebrates Major Anniversary
Officially formed in January of 1969, the Ontario Historical Society celebrates its 40th anniversary this year! The following information was taken from our Society’s scrapbooks. These four scrapbooks will on display during our anniversary celebration at the July General Meeting.
“On Wednesday, November 20, 1968, a group of thirty interested citizens assembled at the Ontario Town Hall (now Palmer Hall) in response to an open invitation to discuss the possibility of forming a local historical society.
Augusta Trimble (then Ontario Town Historian) welcomed the assembled group and explained that the purpose in calling the meeting was to determine if there was sufficient civic interest to warrant the formation of such a group. Virginia Scully was elected to act as Chairman until such time as the regular officers are elected. She introduced Mrs. Dorothy Facer, Wayne County Historian, who spoke about the many advantages and the value to the town of having a local historical society, the pleasures of being an active member and participating in the preservation of local artifacts and documents, and rendering local service particularly to the school students by providing them with authentic materials for various history projects. Mrs. Facer mentioned several Ontario students who had won Hoffman foundation scholarships by their excellent essays on certain Ontario historical subjects
William Scully, Ontario Town Attorney, was the next speaker, and he gave specific information and advice to the group on the legal aspects of forming a membership corporation and the proper steps required for incorporation, and many advantages in doing so. A vote was taken and it was unanimously decided that the group wished to form an incorporated historical membership society. A suitable name must be submitted with the application for Certificate of Incorporation to the secretary of State for his approval. Monique Smith, Elsie La Count and Marion Murphy volunteered to act as the Name Contest Committee. This will be a town project and the details of the contest will be released by this committee. Chairman Virginia Scully appointed various other committees and after a discussion period the meeting was adjourned.
The Contest for the naming of the History group was launched with a prize of $5.00 awarded to the person suggesting the most appropriate name for the new organization. According the “rules” the name should “refer to a geographic area, or an area of historical significance, or to some aspect of local history. It was suggested that the obvious name – Ontario Historical Society – might be thought to refer to Ontario County and that a more distinctive name be chosen. The purpose of the contest (in addition to choosing the best name for the organization) is to let as many people as possible in on the planning of the new organization, which is expected to benefit the entire area.
And then it was announced that the winner was Mrs. Frank (Helen) Cass submitted the winning name, The Town of Ontario Historical Society. The judges were Mrs. John Cass, Mrs. Ronald J. Sloan, John M. Kooman, and Ray L. VandeVate. Names that were close runners up included, Ontario Town Historical Society, South Shore Historical Society, Old Ridge Historical Society, Orebeds Historical Society and Ridge Runner Historical Society. Other names that were submitted included “Our History”, “Let’s Find Out”, “Our Ancient History”, “The Augusta Trimble Historical Society of Ontario”, “Freetown Historical Society”, “Orebed Historical Society”, “Fruitland Historical Society”, “Rural Side Historical Society”, “Shaped like a funnel Historical Society”, “The History of our Heroes”, and others.
The founders of the Society were Madge Cass, Victoria Farber, Sue Sloan, Virginia Scully, Augusta Trimble and Raymon VanDeVate. The first officers included Fern Palmer as President, Sue Sloan as Vice President, Monique Smith as Secretary, Dorothy Cantin as Treasurer, Society Historian, Virginia Scully, Trustees, Raymond VanDeVate and Rex Ransley, and Chairman of the Board, Miriam Johncox.
The purpose of the society would be to solicit, catalogue, display and preserve in a suitable location, various items that have contributed to the growth and culture of the town.”
The Society was provisionally incorporated through the New York State Education Department on September 24, 1971 and permanent certification was achieved with the name changed to Town of Ontario Historical and Landmark Preservation Society, in February 1976.
Over the course of the 40 years of our Society’s existence many things have been accomplished. There have been displays set up in the Ontario Town Hall, narrated slideshows, Bike and Hike Fundraisers, Home Tours, Bake Sales, Barn Sales, Oral Histories taken, and, of course, the preservation of not just one, but seven buildings – the School, the Log Cabin, Meeting House, Ore Miner’s House, Lockup, Warner House, and Train Depot. Smaller outbuildings have also been moved to Heritage Square – an outhouse, the Voting Booth, the Corn Crib. Two buildings were erected on site to round out the “village” – the Apple Dry House and the Exhibit Barn. What you see when you visit Heritage Square is the result of 40 years of love for the rich history of our town. Behind the scenes are years of volunteer hours and donations of money from our local citizens who felt that preserving history was and is important.
Congratulation Historical Society and thank you to all our volunteers and donors!
I wonder what will the next forty years bring.
July 15th General Meeting to Feature “Dolly and Friends”
The July General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 15th at 7PM in the Baptist Meeting House. The program will be Mary Gwen Todd and her friends known as “Dolly and Friends” who will lead the group in a sing-along of all the favorite songs of the past. The program will be followed by a short business meeting. Please plan on attending to enjoy an evening of song and friendship.
