Fenton Historical Society Marks Silver Anniversary
Ebersole, Helen.  “Historical Society Marks Silver Anniversary,” Jamestown
(NY) Post-Journal, 13 May 1989, Supplement: Tempo p. 3-5.
 

    In 1912 the Fenton family put Walnut Grove, the home of civil War Governor Reuben E. Fenton, up for sale.  Three years later the city of Jamestown entered into negotiations to buy the property, largely due to the efforts of E. George Lindstrom, county supervisor from the city of Jamestown.  However, it was not until January 1919that the Common council approved a bond resolution for $35,000 for its purchase.

    The conditions of the voter-affirmed referendum which successfully concluded the transaction, held Feb. 3, 1919, stipulated that the Italian-style villa and its surrounding grounds be used as a public city park.  It would also serve as a memorial for servicemen of all wars of the United States.

    Between 1919 and 1962 the mansion was home to a variety of veterans' and patriotic organizations.  In 1962 the offices of the City Health Department were also established in the building.  In the following year, 1963, city officials voiced a concern for the preservation of Fenton Mansion in its original state in view of increased public usage.

    In that same year a number of concerned citizens organized themselves into the Future Fenton Historical Society.  This group had a broad base of civic and philanthropic representation.  The first meeting, held March 1963, was attended by 41 people.  At an organizational gathering a month later, Mary Torrance was selected to guide the early progress.

    The two groups, the city administration and the local historians, found common cause in the preservation and restoration of the Fenton property. They were reassured about the worthiness of the project in reports from architectural and historic consultants.

    Carl Henry, from the Fine Arts Department of the University of Rochester, confirmed the soundness of the structure as well as its architectural uniqueness in the city in a report dated April 6,  1963.  Later that summer, on Aug. 1, 1963, Albert B. Corey, state historian, wrote to the Future Society leaders, urging the use of the mansion for both an exhibit site and as headquarters for a local historical  society.

    By November 1963, the curators, Ernest J. Muzzy, C. Malcolm Nichols and Arthur A. Wellman, were in correspondence with city officials concerning the society's creation of an historic museum in Fenton Mansion.  The move into the mansion took place during the summer of 1965.

    Organizational matters occupied the leaders of the fledgling society in 1963 and 1964.  With the adoption of a constitution and by-laws in February 1964, the Fenton Historical Society became a formal association.  A 12-member board of directors was the governing body. The supervision of operations and activities was given to an executive committee made up of the officers,  chairmen of standing committees, and the curators.   

    The first officers of the new society were: Mary W. Torrance, president; Harry E. Rose, first vice president; William R. Reynolds Jr.,  second vice president; Sybill M.  McFadden, secretary; Helena Stonehouse, corresponding secretary; and Bert L. Hough, treasurer.

    Attorney Ernest Leet performed the legal duties involved in obtaining the absolute charter from the Board of Regents under Section 216 of the state education law.  The date of the charter,  May 1964, is the actual birthdate of the society.   A certificate of incorporation was issued in July 1964.

    Final arrangements for the society to occupy and use Fenton Mansion were spelled out in detail in a May 1964 document entitled, "Fenton Historical  Society Proposal for the Preservation and Use of the Fenton Mansion."

    Donations of historic artifacts began to be received by the society as soon as it had organized.  The most important during the first year was the Elial Todd Foote Collection,  which was received from James Prendergast Library .   This included historical records, newspapers, books and pamphlets as well as daguerreotypes of early settlers and mementos of the Prendergast family.  In addition, the society's first genealogist, Edna Ingham, provided the beginnings of an extensive family history archive drawn from her personal research.

    The possession of this large body of printed material led to the initial project of the curators.  The center room on the east side of the mansion was renovated to become a library.  With a generous grant from the Rotary club, materials were purchased to build sturdy floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted bookcases around three walls in which to house the collection.  completed in 1967, the library was the first room in the mansion to be open to the public.

     The tasks of collecting and preserving artifacts and building renovation were under the supervision of a group of energetic and historically informed curators.  Their role cannot be underestimated.  Many of the exhibits that took shape during the first decade of development were the result of individual curatorial volunteer effort.  In addition, as a group, they encouraged work parties to join them in the cleaning and remodeling that was needed. Monday nights became Fenton work nights.

    Large-scale exhibits created in the first five years, included graphics and artifacts of the ice harvesting industry on Chautauqua Lake along with other lake lore; a room devoted to scenes and equipment of military history in which local units had participated; and a retrospective review of the changing face of Jamestown between 1850 and 1900.  A continuing series of temporary displays of portraits, cartoons and private collections filled the walls and special display cases situated in the parlor.

    By 1970 the society occupied the entire first floor, two rooms on the second and a major portion of the third.  Improving and redecorating continued hand in hand with exhibit preparation.  Two large rooms on the third floor were equipped with steel shelving for the storage of the many artifacts that continued to pour in.

    The next 10-years saw the completion of several large room exhibits.  The Fireman's Room, a task completed in 1971 by members of the Jamestown Fire Department, was the first display placed in the basement of the mansion.

    The Swedish and Italian cultural backgrounds of a large proportion of Jamestown citizens were the themes of heritage rooms that opened 1974 and 1979 respectively.  Rosella Agostine deserves a large share of credit for her vision and effort in seeing the Italian project through to completion.  She also has preserved valuable information about her countrymen in a small booklet entitled, "Something About the Italians in Jamestown."

    The exhibit devoted to Swedish history was dedicated as the Jennie Vimmerstedt Memorial Room in honor of her leading role as a charter and active member of the historical society and her efforts to keep alive the traditions of the Swedish community in the city.

    A governor's kitchen and a farmer's workshop of the late 1800s as well as a small Native American exhibit made the basement into one of the prime museum attractions of the entire mansion.

    Museum development was only one of a number of activities in which the leaders of the society were involved.  Quarterly membership meetings were held even before the mansion was occupied.  An annual business meeting and program were held every spring near the date of the issuing of the charter.

    All the original organizers participated actively in the sale of annual society memberships.  Funds from memberships sold to 400 people during the first year were sufficient to carry on society activities.  Growth in membership to between 800 and 1,000 during the following five years continued to guarantee operating funds.  In the late 1960s, museum and society costs increased as programs expanded and inflation advanced.  However, the basic number of members remained fixed over the years.  To  meet the growing need for funds, the annual individual membership stands at $15.

    After the first five years of society operation, the base of financial support was broadened to include grants from federal and state agencies as well as funds for specific projects from local foundations.  In 1984 the trustees reluctantly instituted a museum and library admission fee of $1 for non-members.

    Developing an awareness of local history and of the workings of the Fenton Historical society was another early concern of the founders.  In January 1968 a series of newspaper articles entitled "Inside the Fenton Mansion" was begun.  These were short, well-written items reporting on activities inside the mansion or recounting tales of local history.  General knowledge of the society and its museum is contained in an attractive brochure first distributed in 1970.  An informational newsletter sent periodically to the entire membership has been in existence ever since the society organized.

    Research and writing on topics of local history has been encouraged and over the years the society has sponsored the publication of a number of such works. The illustrated booklets prepared by Victor Norton Jr. and Harold Ahlstrom dealing with the lake steamboats, 1971, and the trolley and train system in the area, 1974, have been particularly popular.

    The public was further drawn into society activity when the Hall of Fame was established in 1974.   The community was asked to choose, by vote, a figure prominent in Jamestown history to be placed annually in the Hall of Fame.  An area in the mansion along the main stairway was allocated to honor those so chosen.

    As the activities became more numerous and diverse, it became obvious that some overall administrative control was needed.  In 1968, the museum hired Russell Grills, a graduate of the Cooperstown Graduate Program,, as director.  When he was drafted into military service after being with the society less than a year, his wife, Susan, similarly trained, filled the position until 1970.

    John Brooks, with a similar educational background, served as director from 1971 until 1973.

    These young professionals viewed the entire picture of society activity and made valuable additions regarding the careful cataloging and preservation of the ever-expanding collection.  They also saw a need for some long-range financial security to assure capable operation of the society's many programs.  During this period, in 1972, the mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a time-consuming and detailed registration and certification process.

    Increased programming was initiated during the 1972 to 1975 period under the direction of executive secretaries June Clark and Loretta Smith.  B. Dolores Thompson,  who held the position of director from 1975 until 1982, continued that emphasis.

    Activities instituted in that period had a wide public appeal.  Among these were numerous youth functions such as history clubs and school tours.  At the other end of the age scale, presentations at nursing homes were regularly scheduled.

    The Governor's Birthday Party in July and Christmas open houses became annual events.  This Thrust toward increasing the awareness of the Fenton facilities was a valuable step forward.  Groundwork was laid for community recognition of the Fenton Historical society as an important cultural resource.

    By the mid-1970s the officers of the society realized that some overall direction of museum development was needed.  In 1975 Alice Chamberlain and Helen Gilbert as artistic directors became an integral part of the society operation.  They remained for nine years, carrying out a wide variety of projects funded initially by the Sheldon Foundation, later by the Rotary Club, the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, and the state Council on the Arts.

    Several areas and rooms of the museum owe their appealing decor and historical flavor to the artistic sense and craftsmanship of these talented workers.  Among them were Nanny's Room on the third floor; the parlor, which was re-created in a typical Victorian style; and the decoration of both front and back entrances.  The latter featured a large wall mural depicting Jamestown in the late 19th century.

    With the addition of paid artistic directors, the volunteer curators continued to assist in the creation of displays but have gradually assumed the role of consultants in specific areas of expertise.  It has been the good fortune of the society to have this dedicated group remain warm friends and supporters throughout the entire 25 years of its progress.

    During these years the library containing both genealogical records and materials of local history drew many visitors to the mansion.  Under the guidance of Edna Ingham the tracing of family roots became a popular hobby.  Edna's donation of her complete personal genealogical records when she retired in 1976 further enriched the Fenton's offerings.  her work has been continued by Elizabeth Pillsbury and Frances TeCulver along with a knowledgeable corps of volunteer assistants.

    Under the supervision of librarian Mildred Woodcock, followed by Judy Koch, Mark Alnatt and at present, archivist Karen Livesey, local history reference works and archival materials have been catalogued to modern library standards.

    By the end of the decade of the 1970s, the trustees were forced into action to solve the severe problem of lack of space.  With the exception of two large rooms and a kitchen occupied by the Earl Morley Barracks, World War I Veterans, and its auxiliary on the second floor, artifacts and exhibits occupied the entire mansion.

    The trustees envisioned a solution to the space problem when they purchased the William C.J.  Hall  property on Forest Avenue in 1979.  However, investigations performed preliminary to modifying the interior revealed  that the costs of meeting fire and safety codes required for a public structure were well beyond the financial ability of the society.  In addition, the aging structure and its deteriorating plumbing and heating became a constant burden on the organization's limited budget.  After several years of ownership during which the entire picture of Hall House function and utility was reviewed, the board regretfully determined to offer the property for sale. In the spring of 1985 such a transaction was accomplished.

    One major benefit was realized during the years of society ownership of the Hall House.  The Earl Morley Barracks, World War I Veterans and Auxiliary, desiring a first floor location to accommodate their aging membership, moved from the mansion second floor in 1981 and adapted first floor rooms in the Hall House for their headquarters.  However, with the sale of the Hall property the society made two of the large first floor rooms in the mansion available for their monthly meetings.

    The relocation of the veterans from the mansion allowed the preparation of two new exhibits in the second floor rooms they vacated.  One was the re-creation of a pharmacy of the 1900 period.  The artifacts displayed in this room, which was opened to the public in 1982, came in large part from a donation by Dr. Trevor Woodward, a local pediatrician.  The larger room became the site of a large exhibit focusing on the many aspects of life around Chautauqua Lake at the turn of the century.

    Space became available for library expansion when the resident caretaker's apartment in the rear of the mansion became vacant.  It was completely renovated and a gala open house was held there in May 1981.  The spacious quarters, set apart from the museum section, now contain a stack section, two small offices, and a large room dedicated in 1988 as the Edna Ingham  Memorial Reading Room.

    The early years of the 1980s found the society developing into a more stable, cohesive organization.  Its governance was clarified and simplified in 1983 when a revised set of bylaws was adopted.  Authority was clearly established, flowing from the 18-member board of trustees to the chief administrator, the director, who was given the authority over all society activities.

     During these years, new standards of professional museum operation were developing.  Under the co-directorship of Ellen Fessenden and Candace Larson between 1982 and 1984 and Ms. Larson's sole direction after that year, policies and practices were established which would guarantee a consistent mode of operation regardless of the inevitable personnel changes.  A standard collection policy was adopted in 1983.  Museum security, insurance, and personnel policies were upgraded and clarified.  Asprinkler system for artifact and mansion protection from fire was installed in 1988.  A complete inventory and cataloguing of all artifacts and photographs was a multi-year task.  Careful procedures for preserving and restoring fragile and aging items in the collections were supervised by director of collections Wendy Chadwick-Case who joined the staff in 1984 after the departure of Helen Gilbert.

    A new fulltime position, that of secretary-receptionist was created in 1982.  Ethel Bonfante, as the first employee to fill the position, serves admirably as central coordinator for the diverse society activities and as the welcoming hand to the museum visitor.

    From small beginnings in the late 1970s, a strong and well-organized educational program has emerged which is closely coordinated with the public school curriculum.  Its key offering entitled "Local Lore" is a two-week immersion in the tales and characters of area history.  This was first developed in 1981 by Ellen Fessenden and Candace Larson, then education coordinators.  They were succeeded by Cynthia Wolforth-Nigh from 1982 to 1984.  Joan Emerson took over the direction until 1987 with Barbara Strychalski serving capably since then.

    Membership meetings and celebrations continue to be highlights of the society year.  Members are invited periodically to participate in "How To" workshops.  The annual dinner in late spring often held in the YWCA Lake Lodge in Lakewood provides members with an opportunity to sample a Victorian menu, and to enjoy a program built upon some local history theme.  The Tradition of Trees, a successor to the earlier Christmas open houses, is held on two Sundays in December.  This most popular event features Victorian, ethnic and other theme decorations on the many trees set up throughout  the mansion.

    The contributions of volunteers and foundation grants have provided welcome changes both inside and outside the mansion.  In 1983 a women's group, The Fenton Guild, established an attractive gift shop in the reception area of the mansion.

    A long-standing wish of the trustees was fulfilled in 1984 when the Sheldon Foundation made funds available for the purchase of spotlights which dramatically point up the  exterior of the mansion.

    The Fenton historical society was a participant in the preparation of an hour-long television review of local history.  The local television company, Group W Cable,  researched and filmed this most informative documentary, "A Century of Life; A Century of Living,"  in 1986 as its contribution to the celebration of the centennial of the incorporation of the city of Jamestown.

    Early in 1986, almost by chance, it was discovered that the parlor ceiling was covered with a multitude of designs, long hidden by coats of paint.  The restoration of the original decor has been an ongoing research and work project for the past two years.  The grand opening of this room, many aspects of which would be familiar to Governor Fenton's eyes, will be a fitting celebration for the 25th birthday of the society.

    At the end of the quarter century of existence, the Fenton Historical society can reflect upon sound, broad achievements.  It has secured a place in the community as a cultural and educational center.  It has taken on the stability and assurance of a maturing institution.

    With impressive amounts of energy, determination and concern, the founders built a sound structure in the past.  Those who now hold the fate of the society in their hands must move with the same confidence of purpose as they face the challenges of the future.

10/31/2003