Got any old stuff?

Jul 18, 2012 | Tin Horn

On Saturday, August 4 the Historical Society will have a table at the Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary Flea Market and Antique Show in Margaretville Village Park.

Do you have old stuff (in good condition, and not really big) that you would consider donating to HSM for this fundraiser? We can arrange pickup. We also need volunteers to help staff the table. We’re looking for a few people to spend an hour or two between 9:30 and 1.

If you can help by contributing an item or time, please call 845-586-4973, or reply to this email. Many thanks!

HSM seeks items for Flea Market table

Jul 7, 2012 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will have a table at the Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary Antique and Flea Market August 4 at Margaretville Village Park. Proceeds from the table will go towards renovations of the HSM hall.

HSM needs a little help from our friends to make this fundraising effort successful. If you can donate an item that’s portable and in good shape – it does not have to be an antique – please call Diane Galusha (845-586-4973; cybercat@catskill.net) or any other member of the HSM Executive Committee (Lucci Kelly, Marilyn Pitetti, Roger Davis, Phil O’Beirne, George Hendricks or Carolyn Konheim).

Pick-up can be arranged, or you may deliver the item to the hall, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville, on Wednesday, August 1 between 5 and 8 p.m.

For details on upcoming programs, lots of local history, dozens of old photographs, and information on how to donate or become an HSM member, visit www.mtownhistory.org.

 

Living History Cemetery Tour This Saturday

Living History Cemetery Tour This Saturday

Jun 26, 2012 | news archive

Ten area residents will portray people from Middletown’s past in a “Living History Tour of Margaretville Cemetery” to be held Saturday, June 30 by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM). Rain date is July 1.

Margaretville Cemetery is located on Cemetery Road, one block off upper Main Street (NYS Route 30).

This is an opportunity to enjoy a summer evening’s stroll through the historic park-like cemetery to get acquainted with some of the movers, shakers and just plain folk who populated Middletown’s colorful past.

The one-hour walking tour, led by costumed docents, will be offered every 20 minutes starting at 6 p.m. The last tour starts at 8 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10; $5 for children aged 8-15. Water and snacks will be available for purchase.

The cast and docents, with directors Frank Canavan and Joyce St. George, pose during dress rehearsal June 27.

Tours are limited to 20 people and will be filled first come, first served. The route is less than a mile, and is generally flat, with one short, moderate hill climb. One golf cart per tour will be available to accommodate people with mobility issues. Those who need this assistance are advised to call 845-586-4973 in advance to reserve a tour time. No other reservations will be taken.

Please note there are no sanitary facilities at the cemetery.

This unique opportunity to visit with Middletown’s dear departed begins with a welcome at the cemetery gate from Undertaker Charles Gorsch, played by John Hartner.

Other subjects include J. Francis and Adah Murphy, founders of the Pakatakan Artists Colony in Arkville (played by Fred Margulies and Elizabeth Sherr); farmer George Hendricks (played by George Hendricks, Jr.); doctor, legislator, editor and anti-war advocate Orson Allaben (portrayed by John Bernhardt); and famed outdoorsman and animal trainer Niles Fairbairn (portrayed by Michael Fairbairn).

Artists J. Francis Murphy, right, and Adah Murphy, center, looking at her husband, are among subjects to be portrayed at the cemetery tour. Photo courtesy David and Meg Leveson

Also, legendary log raft steersman Erastus Clute (played by Joe Hewitt); beloved Margaretville Hospital founder Dr. Gordon Maurer (portrayed by Kent Brown); and attorney Ward DeSilva and his milliner wife Margaret, whose bright futures were cut short in the 1919 flu epidemic. The DeSilvas will be portrayed by Ken and Amy Taylor.

Were you there …

Were you there …

Jun 18, 2012 | Tin Horn

. . . at the Post Card and Ephemera Show and Sale June 16? Great time, lots of happy card hunters, and congenial vendors – Martin Wadler (back in his old stomping grounds), Carol Golas, Nancy Foutz, John Hartner (soon to be the Undertaker in our upcoming Living History Tour of Margaretville Cemetery) and John Duda, who organized the event. Wray Rominger was there with books from Purple Mountain Press and a selection of cards from his own collection.

John Duda and customers

 The vendors gave informative presentations about various aspects of post card history and collecting. We hope to do this again next year! See more photos on the event listing on the Calendar. The exhibit “Private Message, Public View: Historic Postcards of Delaware County,” on loan from Delaware County Historical Association, will remain on display for the July 25 slide show of vintage images of Margaretville.

Lynda Stratton and others at the Postcard show.

Duke, the welcoming committee.

Cast named for Cemetery Tour

Jun 3, 2012 | news archive

Ten area residents will portray people from Middletown’s past in an unusual fundraising event to be held Saturday, June 30 by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM).

In the “Living History Tour of Margaretville Cemetery,” costumed portrayers will bring to life artists and farmers, lawyers and raftsmen, doctors and editors who now lie beneath the sod. Docents will lead visitors through the picturesque grounds to meet each subject and hear about their occupations, their lives and their loves. This promises to be a moving tribute to folks who have gone before, and to a community whose history is inscribed in us, the living.

The one-hour, evening tour, offered every 15 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m., begins with a welcome at the cemetery gate from The Undertaker, played by John Hartner.

Other players, and the people they will portray, are Fred Margulies and Beth Sherr as J. Francis and Adah Murphy, founders of the Pakatakan Arts Colony in Arkville; George Hendricks, as his great-great-grandfather, farmer George Hendricks; and John Bernhardt as doctor, politician, editor and Margaretville Village developer Orson Allaben.

Mike Fairbairn will play his great-uncle, Niles Fairbairn, famed outdoorsman and animal trainer; Joe Hewitt will portray legendary log raft steersman Erastus Clute; Kent Brown will appear as the beloved Margaretville Hospital founder Dr. Gordon Maurer; and Ken and Amy Taylor will play Ward and Margaret DeSilva, whose bright futures were cut short in the 1919 flu epidemic, leaving their two little girls orphaned.

Frank Canavan directs this event. Docents are Anne Sanford, Tina Greene, Gretchen Balcom, Vashti Snyder and Barbara Atkin.

Mark your calendars for this special evening (rain date July 1).

For more information on HSM events and activities, visit www.mtownhistory.org, or email history@catskill.net.