HITCHING POST Vol. 4. No. 2 The Newsletter of the Ravena Coemans Historical Societv Summer 2006

In the Good Old Summertime by Barbara Goetschius

On Sunday, May 21st all the "cool" people visited the Historical Society's Open House where they could look forward to warmer weather while remembering summers past. Visitors were treated to exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia of summer activities in Ravena and Coeyrnans. They watched a video of parades, picking out familiar faces and laughing at the girls shooting off firecrackers. Passing through the museum, visitors could examine old band uniforms and review the history of Mosher Park Pool. Those in need of a rest could attempt to climb into an old hammock (not a good idea) or sit on a park bench waiting for a boat to Baerena Park (could be a while).

Outside the Museum, representatives of the Alcove Preservation Association had Alcove 125th Anniversary booklets and other items available for sale next to Nancy Bruno's well-stocked refreshment table.

- Memories of yesterday

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "====l'=""=3=3=C==3:==================i~~, llr 111 A Journey to Family Homes 111

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111 John Scherer, Curator of Decorative Arts at the NYS Museum, conducted the tour of family 111

III homes in the Town of Coeymans. These homes formerly housed items that are in Tompkins 111 111

111 Collection at the State Museum. The Tompkins family descended fiom the Ten Eyck and Van denee ,,, Ill families, inheriting many items from them. These items in the exhibit passed through eight 111 "I generations, spanning over 250 years, before arriving at the museum. The first donation was made by "' Georgann and Stephen Tompkins in 1990. 111 111

111 The tour consisted of visits to the Tobias Ten Eyck and the John Ten Eyck houses in Selkirk, 111

111 the Peter Whitbeck and the Van derzee houses in Aquetuck, the site of the Andries Ten Eyck house, 111

III Route 143, the Tompkins family lot at the Coeymans Hollow Cemetary, and the Tompkins Barn and 111

111 site of the Farmhouse at the Sycamore Golf Club. 111

111 111 Those attending thoroughly enjoyed the tour and appreciated John Scherer's efforts and his

"I interest in keeping Coeymans Families history alive. The Exhibit, c'Preserving Family History: The 111 111 Heritage of an Albany County family", is now on view at the NYS Museum in Albany through 2006. nr

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RAVENA President's Letter COEWMANS Dear Members & Friends,

HISTORICAL SOCIETY So here we are again, time just seems to fly by so fast and summer is here

and I am sure we are hoping for less rain and more sunshine and blue skies. 1 5 Mountain Road Some of our activities these past months were the Open House in May. Ravena, MI 12 143 The theme was "Good Old Summertime". Photos and drawings of the old

OFFICERS 2005-2006 swimming pool, the video and pictures of the bands, parades, and seeing the old

President band uniforms, plus the Barena Island display, was very refreshing like a glass of

Suzanne Celella 07 lemonade on a hot day. Those were the days when summer seemed to last forever

756-7464 and life was simpler somehow standing still. Thank you to Mary Farinelli and all of her volunteers who made this a well attended event and bringing back memories

Vice President for many people who strolled through. The Alcove Preservation Association David Ross 06 presented us with their 125' Anniversary booklet on the Alcove, thank you Tom

756-250 1 Sweeney for this addition to our library. Secretary We celebrated our annual picnic in June at the Coeymans Landing in the

Linda Petennan 08 gazebo. What a beautiful way to spend a summer afternoon. Everyone had a good time and the food was great. Thanks to all who brought their favorite dishes and to

Treasurer Ralph Biance for doing the cooking. Thank you to the Town of Coeymans for William Meyer O7 letting us use the gazebo for the afternoon.

Our next event will be the Friendship Festival in August at Mosher Park. TRUSTEES We will have a table set up, thank to the Village, and will be selling items and

Nancy Bruno O7 have membership forms ready for anyone who may be interested in joining the Ralph Biance Robert Halley

O8 Historical Society. 06

Harry Sturges Our 2007 Calendar is about ready to go to the printers and our trustees have been busy with it, especially Linda Peterman and Bill Meyer who have put a

COMMITTEE CHAIRS lot of time into it.

Membership We are in the process of contacting some interesting speakers for our fall William Meyer meetings. If anyone is ineterested in being a speaker or knows of anone who might

Callections like the opportunity please let me know. Ralph Biance In August we will have nominations for one trustee posistion or more if

Historian anyone is ineterested in serving on the board. At the September meeting we will be Robert Halley voting on those nominated.

Conservation In closing, a thank you to everyone for corning to our events and meetings Toni McNaughton and supporting us the way you do. Thank you also to the officers and trustees for

Publicity giving of your time, talents, and ideas to make it all happen. William Meyer Have a great summer!

Memories on Media Ralph Biance Sincerely,

Museum Suzanne Celella Mary Farinelli President

Cemetery Ralph Biance

Display Robert Halley

Thank you Refreshments

Thank you to the many folks - Society member and individuals from

Robert Halley the community - who loaned or gave to the Museum Committee summertime

Newsletter Committee memorabilia and photos. We are very grateful to Shirley and Paul Briggs, Bob Mary Farinelli Wade, Kathy Durkin, Mac McNaughton, Bonnie Ruso, Nancy Bruno, Tony and Joanne Vogel Fran DiAcetis, Ralph Biance and Bill Meyer for their help. Thanks to Chuck Friday Coeymans Landing Marina, Coxsackie Antique Center and the Bethlehem Lynn Christie Historical Society for contributing to our Exhibit. And, once again, appreciation Barbara Goetschius is extended to the Staff at the Village Hall for their assistance and

encouragement. (This Exhibit can be seen through January 2007.)

- The Hitching Post / Summer 2006 +. , .

3.7 ,.; . -*: HELP! ~ L P ! : r . ,..<. ..,%

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i- 1. We need volunteers to set up for meetings. It means arriving , -. .-- - ~ , . d at 6:45 p.m. and cleaning up afterwards. -

-+ .- . . * 5 #-' L,?~J.L - - I I 2. Can you run a video camera? We need someone to - ~1

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n - k b!b*l'- F ' . . . F .. .

-- videotape our speakers. 1' ,. - L .

3. Can you fold and tape? We need you to help fold, tape,label - 4 and stamp newsletters twice a year. The Calendar , .

4. Can you dust and vacuum? We need someone to help us i 1 . 1 : -

keep our Museum clean. Committee is hard I

' i 5. Do you like to organize? We need people to put photos of - -' - at work on the I: .t m -,- - ,= our Events into albums. We also need people to help - - - - - r

"organize and label our Archival material. - k I::::.-:<; 6. Could you volunteer every once in awhile in the Museum RCHS Calendar for I

L when it is open? 2007. Watch for it - - j T ll.

-1 " 7. , Could you bake cookies oqc$ jn a while for meetings and ..r . ,Y- . .- r..p -5: W J i X this fall! R - .- - .- events? , . a r C k.---- - .

- 1 5 8. Can you cut foamboard with an exacto knife? We could use

'1 y o u help in the Museum. - * 4 7 & - - ~ I ! I - .c

4 9. Do you have great ideas (small or large) for programs, ' F-

projects or speakers? We would love to hear about them. ?!! E-

I I 4 - --- . J 10. Do you love HISTORY? Then help us now and then to ;ii.i - .-.% ; ~ 7 . :.$, ,+ -

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vrotect and vreserve our wonderful HISTORY! ' 2. . . . - -

"History is the ship carrying living memories to the kture." -Stephen Spender

~ = r #This phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison, was purchased by J.N. Briggs, probably in the late 1800's. It was placed on the third floor of the observation tower at Baerena Park. Its wax cylinders contained popular music of the day. A brass horn was used to amplify the sound. The tunes were broadcast throughout the Amusement Park. Later, when the Amusement Park closed, the phonograph was brought to the Briggs home. There, the family would record their conversations and listen to the old-time tunes for their own pleasure. Ear-phones c,ould be used for quiet listening. The phonograph is on loan fkom Shirley Briggs. See it in the Museum. -_ _ I -Thomas Edison listening to his Class M Phonograph ,.

3 The Hitching Post I Summer 2006 t;;

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Mosher Park . , I

by Mary Farinelli . 4

In 192 1, Stephen Mosher, businessman, bachelor, and invalid, gave a piece of property to the Village of Ravena. The parcel of land was bounded by Whitbeck St. Pulver Ave., Coonley St. and Winnie Ave. and was to be used "only as a public park forever". Trees could be planted around the perimeter of the land but not within the limits of the street lines. Mr. Mosher would have the privilege of harvesting the hay off the Park. There was no talk of a pool at Mosher Park. Children swam in the creeks and the river in the hot summer weather.

- WPA plaque on old bath house at Mosher Park 5 5; C , . 8

In 1922, Charles Hawn, a business man fkom Chicago, asked the Village to place a hydrant on Madison Ave. in Ravena adjacent to his property for filling his reservoir. Mr. H a m had begun an ice harvesting business on a piece of land surrounding a small stream. A nearby dam could not always be

furnish water to the pool for fifteen per cent of the gross profits. In a January 1933 letter, Hawn asked that charge for water be cancelled completely. The Village Board refused to cancel "in fairness to all concerned".

At a special board meeting in June of that year, Mayor Van Hoesen and the Village Trustees - I passed a resolution stating that they would furnish water for the pool without cost, "providing the dam I

was left reasonably free fiom leaves next winter and that the children be allowed to skate on the dam at their own risk". A week later, at a special meeting, a petition was given to the Board rejecting their offer and restating Ham's original request. The plan was not accepted by the Board.

By the fall of 1933, the Village Officials were becoming fkustrated over the W~culties they

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had been experiencing with the Park Lake Swimming Pool Company. At a special meeting in October, the Mayor addressed the Board. He asked them to

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consider some WPA projects that were being introduced by the federal government. A week later, ' .I

possible sewer and water projects under the WPA -.. 4 were being discussed by the Mayor and the Village. 'T Board. 1 m

By now, community members Y becoming interested in developing recreational opportunities for young people. William Gallagher, a PTA representative, presented a petition "in behalf of a playground and other equipment for the children". . - A

The Ravena Board of Education, represented by EJ Hummer, GW Babcock, EW Schoonmaker and FD: - Baldwin, came before the Village Board "regardingb

depended on to adequate water for his operation. By 1930, the -

- reservoir had become the Park Lake Swimming Pool Company and was providing Ravena residents , - . . . --. with a place to swim.

Two years later, however, the Pool Company was experiencing a deficit. Son, Howard Hawn wrote to the Village requesting ! that they waive the payment

il I .' . for water used during the "

C. swimming season that year, citing the "benefits" that he + was providing the

I;. community. The Village u_- rJ responded that they would

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putting a ball ground in Mosher Park in suitable condition for Baseball and other games".

On October 13, 1935, Mayor Van Hoesen and Trustees Castle, Friday and Swartout agreed to purchase from Stephen W. Mosher, for $2500, lands that surrounded the present Mosher Park. This new addition consisted of approximately twenty acres between Railroad and Winnie Avenues.

They borrowed the money that would pay for the land and other expenses and improvements including "a sanitary system at Pulver Avenue, baseball and football grounds, swimming pool and drainage and other improvements now underway". With the assistance of the federal govemment's WPA plan, which paid for local men as the laborers, the new Park and Pool complex was begun. It would

* - the Christian ~ h u r c t at' 12:OO noon where a Hot

ki- Roast Beef Dinner was served for 50 cents. m At 1:30, the swimming events took place.

The 50-yard free-style, 100-yard free-style and relay races were conducted. Field Events began at 2:30. The 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash, 440-yard dash and relay races were run. At 3:30, a Baseball Game between the American Legion and a team from the Albany Twilight League was played. Admission to the Ball Game was 25 cents.

At 5:00 p.m., the "Firemanic Events" began. Hose cart races, equipment contests and water fights were scheduled. The sack race and three- legged race for children were run. A Softball Game between f r e departments was played and a Boxing Bout was held.

become one of the largest sand-bottom pools in the state.

.. The following July, Curtis Carkner was hired as lifeguard of the new pool at $20 per- week. The Mayor was authorized to "secure a boat" for the enormous pool, "two or three life preservers, also, rope to put on posts as a safeguard for the younger swimmers". A bath house and recreation building was built. A band stand by Charles Pausley's place was moved next to the recreation building. By the fall of "concessions and trees for discussed at Board meeting were placed at the deep end. 9:00, a Band Concert and Block Dance completed the

and picnic grounds were put exciting day! (The 1938 First Annual Field Day

was becoming excited ove Program is presently on display in the Museum.)

promising recreational facilities. Through the generosity of Stephen Mosher,

By the summer the foresight of the Mayor and Village Trustees, the

ready to celebrate the b September 5, the "First Annual Field Day" was ..;$ various groups and individuals in the community,

organized by the Ravena Hose Company No. 1 and ""T Mosher Park was able to provide, for the fust time, opportunities for recreation, competition and the American Legion Post No. 114 of Ravena. Jack 14:

Ford was "General Chairman" of the Event. relaxation. May the enthusiasm of these times , ,-b\ .

The Parade began at 10:OO a.m. and '

continue today!

marched through the streets of Ravena. Phillip -- Sincere thanks to Mayor Bruno and the

Whipple was Parade Chairman. The Judge's stand ; = ' '; Village qfJice Staflfor allowing me to research their records, to the Historical Society for their Archival was at the Park Hotel Grounds (present - day L . ~ >.

Memorial Park). The Parade participants disbanded at information, and to Mayor Bruno, Marion Roberts, and Harry Sturges for their insight and information.

The Hitching Post / Winter 2006

Picnic in the Park

I - . The RCHS Summer Picnic was held this year

f - on June llth at the Coeyrnans Landing Gazebo. It was well - - . attended and a great 3 ' .' time was had by all. Sausages, hamburgers,

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and hot dogs were ". - donated by Ravena Shop

'n Save. Thank you, Shop 'n Save!- .. - ,

- A summer day at the Coeymans landing Gazebo *

me Historical Society is proud to report that Anna Brooks is the

recipient of the RCHS scholarship award of $150. n '.* I

& .T.- * - + 3 & : Bricks and Other Business

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A century ago, brick manufacturing plants lined the Hudson River south 01 Albany. The rich 1 clay deposits along the river and the access to transportation by barge to construction markets in New

York. City were responsible for the thriving industry. But, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, Powell and Minnock Brick Works was the only brick-mamg plant in the state. Now, that no longer exists.

The Historical Society would like to revisit the brick-making era. There are still local men who worked at the plant and remember it well. A brick worker said, "Once you get brick dust in your blood, you can't get it out." We would like to stir up this brick dust, recall some memories of the brick yards and present them to the community.

This fall, the Historical Society is planning a Round-Table Discussion with several members of the brick community. In December, our Holiday Open House will feature displays of photos, artifacts and memorabilia fiom the local brick companies. If you have something to share, please let us know.

We also plan on exhibiting items fiom our collections of the Ravena Iron Company, local grocery stores and barber shops. We welcome your contributions to this Exhibit, also. Please call Mary (756-6536), Bob (756-6598) or contact any Historical Society member. w7 t 4 : I -: , -7 ,x

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. ' . Mark Your Calendars! - - -$;.p.Y 5- .. , iq: - , I - I _ -fi .. c . C - . . August 22 - 1' - Tour of the Exhibit, "Preserving Family History" (from the Tompkins Collection of - - - -

- Coeymans Hollow) at the NYS Museum, 12 noon. t I

I August 26 . c A : ~ ..- Friendship Festival - Look for Historical Society booth

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September 14 , . A . Annual Business Meeting, Election of Trustees and Officers, 7pm -- , :. d A - . ' . - L. ; ?~, . , ,y $,.;'? .- , . I I - ? T r , . -. , . ,

2 1 . - October 12 ' 3' . RCHS meeting - TBA, 7pm - ,. -.=; l.~l,e- .' I-, & .- ' L:<. w ..A- - ,

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November 9 - Brick Making in Coeymans: A Round Table Discussion with former brick workers, 7pm

December 10 Holiday Open House - "Bricks and Other Business", an exhibit of Photos and Artifacts . . fiom the Brick Industry and other businesses, noon to 3pm

2006 Sponsors - . .. .

- . . . Business

Aquetuck Antiquities Babcock Funeral Home Boomer's Garage Bullock Utilities Coeymans Landing Marina Collins & Son Inc. Crossroads FordIMercury Fori's Variety Store Joe Rotello Esq. 4

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LaFarge Cement Company Marshall's Auto Exchange Inc. National Bank of Coxsackie Peter Clouse, Esq. Rotello Enterprises Stanton Farm State Telephone Co. Sturges Realty Ted'sBarberShop .,

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Van Etten Excavating Personal

Clesson & Jean Bush Craig & Beverly Waltz David & Francis Martin Dr. Robert & Linda Marshall Jerry T. Perrine Ralph Biance .-

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Open houses at the LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE in Coeymans Hollow. Each program will be held on a Sunday from 2 to 4 pm and there is no charge for admission. September 10 Laura Palmer and Augusta Wolfe will present an organ recital

using the restored Pump Organ which once was used for services in the Coeymans Hollow Methodist Church

September 17 Craig Thompson, Director of Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, will display various stuffed animals and will speak about "Wildlife of New York State"

September 24 Chuck Friday will display a collection of various types of paper and speak about "The 1 9 ~ Century Paper Mills on the Hannacroix Creek"

October 1 The Elderly Brothers (Bob Whitbeck and Ken Morse), local - + country artists will present an afternoon of country music to listen to and sing with. -

ALCOVE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION UPDATE VALLEY PAPER MILL PARK Alcove Preservation Association (APA) took

ownership of the site from Open Space Institute (OSI) in March 2006. Work on the mill park is proceeding. The existing foundation is being methodically hand excavated so as not to disturb any of the original

I - foundation that dates fiom 1844. A temporary sign is being prepared that . will read of Future Valley Paper Mill Park, a project of OSI and APA ,I including both organizations logos. The property is being mowed and ' trimmed on a regular basis to maintain a neat appearance. Restoration of

the c h i i e y is scheduled to begin in August of this year. ;, .

ALCOVE CEMETERY FENCE RESTORATION PROJECT The --a - deteriorated fence and entrance gate has been removed. Disassembly of the fence decorative cast posts, finials and brackets is proceeding. Once + tt cleaned to bare metal, these pieces will be utilized in the re-fabricated

i. fence. APA has established an Alcove Cemetery Fence Restoration Fund account at a local bank. Anyone interested in participating in this project may donate time, equipment, labor or funds by calling Tom Sweeney at - 756-8666.

&COVE ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET To commemorate a milestone in T 1 - Alcove history, APA compiled a limited edition booklet which includes . -

history, pictures and memoirs of Alcove. Copies of this booklet are available by contacting Tom Sweeney or writing to APA, PO Box 8 1, Alcove, NY 12007-008 1.

ANNUAL CHICKEN BAR-B-Q Ow annual take out chicken Bar-B-Q will be held at the Ravena Grange on September 7. Be sure to call and reserve

- -& -4 . - .- your dinners the day of the event, as last year was a sell out.

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The Historical Society is seeking photos - of the following bars and grills:

, Adamo Grill ' ,! - - Persico Grill

Libertucci Bar -'? '1 k m IT

, if Sandy's Grill I 7 - & '

+ Polverelli Grill -3 *.*? ,. - 'a L: .=<I - Frank Rowe Grill (Alexander's) ,+ #- - 3

a& v - . -

'7 J - ' , - Molella's Grill . - L-

Chicorelli Bar .4 - 4 k,

Mayone's Grill -A ! I _ I

-F,, . . Henry Sore11 Grill . . - Please call 756-6536 if you have a photo

I 1 - . -. . to share. , b '

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RCHS Membership +h* gi .. a 7 - , b d . . .: Individual . L . $10.00 Family $15.00

,'* - Business $25.00 .st

Sponsor :: $25.00 &$.. Life . $100.00

* New memberships are welcome at any time.

You may mail them to: 'L

Ravena Coeymans Historical Society P.O. Box 324 - -

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-< s - . W Ravena, NY 12143 < I ,

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. -.. : - C/O Bill Meyer

- t MUSEUM HOURS , -, -

The Historical Society Museum is open every '- - Thursday (except holidays) from lpm to 3pm or

you may call for an appointment: 756-6536 or 756-2501

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The Hitc'hng Post -.. , I I I

1 - Ravena Coeymans Historical Society,. -,,htTa ,, - - - t . ' t". *- I

P.O. Box 324 . - & - . - , .- -., - $ . I r; , ,-;".! "

Ravena, ..- .

NY 12143 -8.r .'. :.*: L

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