History as art!

History as art!

Oct 18, 2010 | Tin Horn

We are very excited that the talented East Branch Delaware River Plein Air Painters have once again taken brush in hand to benefit our Historical Society. Over the past several months, ten artists have sketched and painted historic buildings and sites in Middletown. Of dozens of works produced by this creative crowd, 25 original paintings will go to the highest bidders at a silent auction and reception Friday, Nov. 26 from 3 to 6 in The Commons, Main Street, Margaretville. Last year’s event was a great success. Don’t miss this tremendous opportunity to decorate your home with a one of a kind painting by a local artist! Or, think holiday gifts! See a sample from each of the artists.

Meg Leveson paints Walnut St., Margaretville

 

Campaigns of the past revisited at Historical Society program

Oct 14, 2010 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown will offer a musical journey through spirited election campaigns of the past when it gathers for its Annual Meeting Saturday, Oct. 23 at LaCabana Restaurant in Fleischmanns.

Linda Russell, former balladeer for the National Park Service, will sing and play the songs America voted by in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Her lively program casts a unique look at how we came to know the candidates for political office in the days before mass media.

The public is welcome to the program, which is made possible with support from the New York State Endowment for the Humanities, the NYS Legislature and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.

Linda’s free performance at 1:30 p.m. will follow a luncheon of American and Mexican favorites that begins at Noon. Reservations for lunch are required by October 18. Please call 845-586-4973, or email history@catskill.net to reserve your seats at $15 each.

During the business portion of the meeting HSM will unveil its new website, which will contain capsule histories and photos of each of the hamlets in Middletown.

Early medicine topic of March 27 historical society program

Oct 14, 2010 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will present living history re-enactor Stuart W. Lehman on Saturday, Mar. 27, when he will bring a hands-on lecture, “Leeches and Laudanum: Medicine in Early New York,” to Margaretville.

The program begins at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church hall, Orchard St., Margaretville.

HSM members get in free; admission for non-members is $2. For more information, call 845-586-4973 or contact history@catskill.net

Lehman will discuss medicine as it was practiced in the 18th and 19th Centuries. He will bring an exhibit of the herbs, medicines, and implements used from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. You can take a close look at some fascinating artifacts; however watch out for the leeches!

Explore health care as it was practiced in early America by doctors, midwives, and the everyday housewife. Find out about theories, treatments, home remedies and patent medicines and discover which were surprisingly successful, and which caused more problems than they cured.

Lehman developed his program over many years working at a variety of historic sites, including Schuyler Mansion and Saratoga National Historical Park. He is an Education Coordinator with the Office of General Services where he develops and present programs and conducts research for the New York State Capitol.

Lehman is active in a number of historical associations, including the New Scotland Historical Association, the Friends of Schuyler Mansion and the Capitol District Civil War Roundtable. He lives in Guilderland.

“Remember When” exhibit at Middletown Town Hall

Oct 14, 2010 | news archive

Remember when you could buy a Mexican Sundae at Joe Christian’s Soda Fountain? Remember when hamburger was 49 cents a pound at Bussy’s Store? Or when Stan’s Tavern in Arena and the Cat’s Meow in Fleischmanns were popular watering holes?

If you remember when Flinch and Uncle Wiggly were a way to spend a rainy afternoon, or when you could buy a plaid refrigerator from Doug Kelly of Margaretville, you’ll enjoy the latest history exhibit in the Middletown Town Hall on Route 28, between Margaretville and Arkville.

Town Historian Shirley Davis has put together another fascinating look back at our own times, and an even earlier day, when metal milk jugs, button hooks, and ox shoes predated plastic milk cartons, Velcro and truck tires. Titled “Remember When,” the display features artifacts ranging from kerosene lamps to a Roy Rogers and Dale Evans lunch box, and variety of photographs and advertisements from the early to mid-20th century.

For a look at who went to the Margaretville High School prom in 1963, and how the Flood of 1950 rearranged Arkville, stop by the Town Hall weekdays during regular business hours. “Remember When” will be on view through the end of May.