SINCLAIRVILLE - The Valley Historical Society recently convened for the annual summer picnic at the Sinclairville village ball park. President Albert Olmstead welcomed all to the picnic, leading the group in the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Dishes of food were prepared and brought by members and a wonderful picnic meal was enjoyed by all.
Following the meal, President Olmstead opened the program entitled "Treasure Trove." Those attending were encouraged to bring an item of old to the meeting for a show and tell time.
Beginning the program was Susan Sipos who brought an old Structo 4 harness sampler loom, which were used from the 1930s. Betty Jean Ridout showed some old worsted mills items, and an old wooden hand-made measuring device. Mildred Griswold Simpson brought some old dolls, one being celluloid. Museum curator Audrey Prosser brought some of the dust from the Mt. St. Helen's volcano eruption gathered along the edge of the road, she said. Secretary Mary Shearman showed an old double match holder which once was hung on a wall. Past president Bill Hulett demonstrated some of the diving rods that he uses in locating water supplies, along with a chain he also uses. Hulett's demonstration was fascinating to all. Phyllis Ames of Stockton brought an old scrapbook kept of the articles when Stockton was being considered to be a part of a dam in 1954. Stockton Historian Helen Piersons brought to show some old salt and pepper shakers given to her when she was in the fourth grade. Charles Sylvester showed some old postcards and blotters from the Tarbox Sales. Vice President Larry Barmore had previously talked about an old clock that he had when he was a young child, and showed a photograph of him next to the clock as a young boy, found by his wife. Treasurer John Sipos brought an old 1885 hand double washing machine which may have been used with double boilers.
The Valley Historical Society is the historical group for the Cassadaga Valley area. Organized in 1977 by the late John and Ruth Smith, the group has a museum located at the corner of Main and Lester Streets in the village of Sinclairville. Meetings are held on a monthly basis from April through December on the first Tuesday of each month.
The society will hold its annual history fair on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 7 a.m. and concluding with fireworks at 9 p.m. The event will include tours of the museum, a grand parade, food stands, craft show, demonstrations, pie contest, baby contest, car show, log cutting contest, cemetery tours, pancake breakfast, a special lunch and dinner, and a new event which will be the outhouse race, with outhouses being pushed along Lester Street. The all day event is free admission to all and everyone is welcome.
For more information on the Valley Historical Society, write to P.O. Box 1045, Sinclairville, NY 14782. New members are always welcome.
