Monthly Archives: May 2013

Doris B Morton, Miscellaneous

Collectibles in Whitehall

A collectible is any item that takes one’s fancy. For the ordinary person it usually is something that is fairly scarce, for search is part of the fun; something the price of which fits one’s pocket-book, for it is heartbreaking to lose a possible addition to a collection because of its high price.

A collectible can be large or small, decorative or ugly, knick knack or utilitarian. It can be glass, bottles, leather, metal, wood, paper and tin.

Some collectibles are items that have the name of Whitehall on them. During the Victorian Era that spilled over into the 20th Century, souvenir items where the vogue. Whitehall merchants secured gold rimmed six-inch plates with painted flowers or fruits with gold lettering, “Whitehall, N.Y.”

Then there were the china knick knacks with Whitehall pictures. As with post cards current there, the pictures were sent to Germany where the items were produced — small pitchers and different sized vases. Among the pictures were the armory, a view of Skene Mountain, and the harbor which was labeled the canal. One former merchant reported he had a trunk full of these when he went Out of business.

Red enamel on the top of pressed wine glasses sold souvenirs of Whitehall. A carnival glass cup with Whitehall written across the top, found in a South Glens Falls antique shop, makes one wonder if there is a whole tea set. A gold trimmed flower bedecked and covered milk glass dish could have been a pin holder on milady’s dresser. A cereal bowl with a picture of a dog found in Putnam Station advertised a Whitehall merchant. Glass paper weights featured the Champlain Silk Mills.

Many people in Whitehall are collecting such items. Some have milk bottles with the dairy names; some have bottles with the names of merchants. There are spoons, post cards, rocks of the area, advertisements. Some of each are in Skenesborough Museum but many more can be added to make the collection complete.

Collectibles are fun to acquire. The use of leisure time in searching out the desired article, the excitement when an especially rare one is found, the possible increase in value, and above all the pride of showing off one’s collection with the story of each “find” makes collecting collectibles worth while.

Doris B. Morton, Town Historian – Whitehall Times – September 22, 1977

Doris B Morton, Libraries

1909, Civic Improvement League and the Library

During the first year of its existence, 1909, the Civil League Board was informed of the work of the Y.M.C.A… This organization offered its library as a nucleus for a public library. Members of the Civic League began action on such an institution. At this time other villages were accepting the generosity of Andrew Carnegie for library buildings but the Whitehall ladies rejected that path. They wrote a newspaper article to the two papers of Whitehall, the Times and the Chronicle, listing the needs for and the benefits of such an institution in Whitehall. With the article they included a coupon for an expression of opinion of the taxpayers to be handed in.

In March a standing vote was taken on the favorable results of this vote. Possible sites had already been examined; Miller’s store, the Shantee (Log Cabin), and Sullivan’s rooms, but the ladies settled on the basement of Mrs. Gertrude Adams in a brick building on the corner of Wilson Alley and Williams Street with rent at $6. The building burned some: years ago.

The members of the league contributed furniture and at least one good book. Mr. Lowenstein of the Champlain Silk Mills was solicited for some book cases which he donated. The ladies also sewed rags for a rug.

In April the Civic League made a request to the village Trustees for $300 to assist with the formation and maintenance of the library. Their reception was gratifying but they were requested to ask for an amount in January so that the sum could become an established part of the budget. The village trustees held a special meeting to hear the request. They also informed the Civic League that if the town would make a like contribution the library would be called the Whitehall Public Library; if not it would be called the Whitehall Free Library the town did not appropriate the $300 at that time and so the latter name was used. On the refusal of the town to grant money, it was not in the budget at that time, a subscription paper was circulated and the citizens subscribed much more than the amount asked for.

Doris B. Morton, Town Historian – Whitehall Independent – March 4, 1987

Doris B Morton, Libraries

Whitehall Civic Improvement League

Members of the Civic League continued to support the Whitehall Free Library with projects such as card parties, subscriptions, and volunteer labor while still holding their meetings in its rooms. In October 1911 a report was made to the League that the village trustees were attempting to gain control of land north of the bridge and the League was requested to cooperate in securing the Historical Building where the library would have rooms. Nothing was reported in the minutes until May 19, 1924 when the minutes read that the Civic League held its meeting in the new library for the first time.

This must have meant the library that was located on the second floor of the village building until it was transferred in 1953 to the present Griswold Library given to the village. During this period Miss Bessie Buel and Mrs. Lorraine Dannehy were librarians. Evidently the Whitehall Free Library had become an entity of its own. The Civic League held its meetings here for some years before meeting in other public places and in homes of its members.

At the April 1909 meeting ten members were chosen for the Library Committee. Only members of the Civic League could be trustees but everyone could use the library. These first trustees were the Mesdames, W. G. C. Wood, B. H. Bascom, J. Q. Edwards, O. A. Dennis, C. J. Baldwin, F. L. Andrews, Jack Israel, George Noyes, and the Misses Julia Bascom and Lulu Lotrace. Later when a State Inspector visited the library he was astonished that only one woman had accomplished such an institution and suggested a man should be on the board. Men had been given an honorary membership in the first year.

By June 1909 the shelves had been installed in the library, the catalog completed, books in order, and Esther Adams hired as a librarian. To separate the books on the shelves in divisions it was suggested that covered bricks be used June 7 a date for a Library Day be observed, the third Sunday in June.

In November 1919 Mrs. Brown of the State Library Association came to view the library. By this time there were 504 books and many magazine subscriptions. She suggested a larger supply of children’s books, catering to special interests such as agriculture and ethnic groups of the town, and that the two newspapers and cuttings of the town events would be on file. (lf only this had happened what a resource of material would be on hand.) It seems that games were provided for the library hours and it was now evident that special hours and a separate room be restricted for use when the library was not open.

In October the Whitehall Free Library had a State Charter, a constitution had been drawn up and read, and all reports of the library were given for publication in the two newspapers. On 23 November 1909 it was voted that all Civic League meetings would be held thereafter in the library instead of Williams Street School.

Members met there until they transferred later to the Community Association rooms.

Doris B. Morton, Town Historian – Whitehall Independent – March 11, 1987

Doris B Morton, Libraries

Whitehall in 1887

The railroad Y.M.C.A. was very active one hundred years ago in its building on Canal Street. Its building, north of the present Knights of Columbus building, burned in 1911, and was replaced by the K. of C. home.

In 1887 the members, believing that a good library was one of the requirements of success in any association established a circulating library in its rooms. One of the first methods of obtaining books for its collection was to have an entertainment, admission to which would be a good book. Superintendent C. D. Hammond furnished a large bookcase. The employees of the D & H along the line favored the project. The library soon had 150 volumes. House cleaners had been urged to send their books.

Doris B. Morton, Town Historian – Whitehall Times – April 2, 1987

Bicentennials, Doris B Morton

Museum Opens for 18th Season [1976]

Skenesborough Museum is now officially open for its 18th season [in July 1976]. The theme “Whitehall – Navy, Lake, Canal, and Railroad” suggests the: type of exhibits displayed.

The Navy Room in the new Judge John J. O’Brien Memorial wing contains the Edward G. Farmer model of the 1776 Skenesborough Harbor and the Vergennes Shipyard of the War of 1812. Pictures and artifacts give further details.

The large room in its exhibits places emphasis on canal, lake and railroad history. Other exhibits tell of Whitehall history in fire department and farm and home implements. The names of the other rooms are the War Room, the Doll Room, the Admiral Potter Room, and the Skene’s Room gives a hint of their exhibits.

Rearrangement of the exhibits following the Horizon addition to the museum will continue. The assistance of many volunteers has made the opening possible at this time.

Doris B. Morton, Town Historian – The Whitehall Times – July 1, 1976