May-June - Amherst Historical Society

The Amherst Historical Society Newsletter
The Grindstone
May / June 2009
Coming Events
General Meeting
April 22, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Grange Hall/Schoolhouse
“Clothing from 1810 to 1950”
Presented by Rodney Beals
Black River Historical Society
General Meeting
May 27, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Grange Hall/Schoolhouse
“Genealogy Through the
Computer” Presented by
Margaret Cheney
Opening of Quigley and
Amherst Sandstone Village
May 3 to September 27, 2009
Tours: 2:00 to 3:00
Tours: 3:00 to 4:00
$3.00 per person
Discovering the Past Event
June 14, 2009
Sandstone Village Grounds
Old Time Jamboree
July 10, 11, 12, 2009
Downtown Amherst
Archeological Society
Artifact Show & Sale
August 16, 2009
Sandstone Village Grounds
Sandstone Village “Discovering the Past” Event
Sunday June 14, 2009 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Bring everyone from the kids to grandma and grandpa to the big spring ―Discovering
the Past‖ event. The program is a joint effort between The Amherst Historical Society
and Firelands Archeological Research Center, the organization that is occupying a new
building in the Amherst Sandstone Center.
Some of the entertainment scheduled for this affair on June 14 will include a mock dig
for children (isn’t there a little archeologist in all of us, starting at an early age?), there’ll
be a historic apothecary with herbs and other old time cures and the kids will delight in
having their faces decorated with ―war paint‖ and in the Native American crafts at an
outdoor table.
In the schoolhouse you’ll find a regional shipwreck archeology display and presentation
by Dr. ―Ed‖ Herndendorf and, of course, the new Research Center lab building will be
open for you to observe their on going research. Dave Pierce will bring his delicious
food in his covered wagon, so don’t cook at home. Crafters and vendors are welcome
with free space, so just call the office at 988-7255 to reserve a spot. Why drive miles
away for a Sunday afternoon’s entertainment when you can enjoy yourselves so close
to home. Join us!
This is a free event, but donations to support the Amherst Historical
Society and the Amherst Sandstone Village as always is appreciated.
Firehouse Museum
Construction will soon start on the Amherst Firehouse Museum to be located on the
village grounds. The 900 square foot brick and sandstone building will house vintage
Amherst fire fighting equipment and area fire memorabilia.
The material costs for this museum will be partially be covered by an appropriation from
the State of Ohio. The matching funds for this project will be provided by the multitalented Amherst firemen volunteering their time and talents to construct the museum.
Any additional funding to complete this project will come from contributions and fundraising. Please support the Amherst Fire Department and the Amherst Historical Society
toward the realization of this museum by making a contribution that will be gladly accepted.
At the June 14 ―Discovering the Past‖ event, the Amherst firemen will be on the grounds
with some of their fire fighting equipment and a fire engine for the kids of all ages to explore. Chief Northeim along with members of the Amherst Fire Department will be on
hand to discuss the building plans for the museum.
From the President By John Dietrich
Well spring is finally here! Flowers are blooming, grass is growing and everyone is happy to
be out in the fresh air after being cooped up inside during this past winter. Isn’t it great to
feel the warm sun – in fact it is wonderful just to see the sun.
Spring is coming alive and so is your historical society. Soon the Amherst fireman will start their new building
that will house many of the artifacts that tell the history of the Amherst Fire Department.
We are planning to open an antique shop, work continues to finish a new restroom in a building at the North
West portion of the village and discussions are ongoing as to what should go into the reminder of that building. In our July/August newsletter we should have an outline of what we are planning for the area along the
railroad going west from the new Fire Museum. The building and lands committee is very excited about our
new development plans and we think our plans will excite our membership and visitors as well.
Please remember Neal Jenne in your thoughts and send him a card as he continues with his treatments and
recovery.
Support our Advertisers and Local Business
As the analysis of artifacts from last season continues, we are beginning to prepare for another exciting field
season starting as early as mid-May. We will be back at the Heckleman site this spring and summer to further
investigate the activities of the inhabitants who seem to have a close connection with Native Americans living to
our south, closer to the Ohio River. Joining us at the site this summer will be the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History with its Archaeology In Action summer field school. This field school will include detailed instruction on
proper survey and excavation techniques as well as the thrill of discovery on this unique Middle Woodland site.
Students can sign up for the school for as little as one week, or as much as four to five weeks (depending on
availability). Please visit www.cmnh.org then click on research and then on archaeology for more details or to
sign up.
If you would like to see our lab analysis in action, remember that the lab is open most Sundays from 10:00 am
to 3:00 pm on the grounds of the Sandstone Village (check www.firelandsarchaeology.org for dates and times).
Also, on June 14 there will be a village event Discovering the Past, which will include archaeological displays
and activities. Come see what there is to discover.
Brian Scanlan, President
Firelands Archaeological Research Center
Rebecca Wisniewski
Independent Senior Sales
Director
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2009 Olde Time Jamboree
By Kathy Litkovitz, Jamboree Chairman
It’s time for the 36th Annual Old-Time Jamboree again and the Jamboree committee and I have been busy
planning for this year’s festival. The Jamboree will be held on July 10th, 11th and 12th. Ruth Haff has,
once again, organized a lot of fun entertainment for our listening pleasure. Although the schedule is not
completed to date, she has booked the Amherst Community Chorus, Patriots Community Band and featured on Saturday night will be the Naked Monkeys.
This year we will be having the Pet Parade sponsored by the Amherst Public Library and a Pizza Eating Contest
sponsored by Darrell and Denise McCarty of Olde Town Pizza House. I am happy to say that we will have the
Amherst Super Star Singing Contest – rain or shine. We have an alternate venue in case of rain so no one will be
disappointed like last year.
Martha Pallante and Donna Rumpler will manage the Amherst Historical Society Booth which will feature the very
popular baskets for a Chinese Raffle along with live plants for sale. John Dunn, member of the Amherst Historical
Society Board of Directors has volunteered to manage the Beer Booth and he is looking for people to man the booth.
I am very proud to announce that Lilly Krebs has been chosen this year’s ―Volunteer of the Year‖ and Mainstreet
Amherst President, Judy Recknagel has been selected as our Parade Marshal. It truly looks like we have the makings
of a very successful Jamboree and I look forward to seeing you all there and working with you.
This is a free community event!
Come enjoy the entertainment, the food, the displays and most of all –
Come and socialize with your friends and neighbors!
Longaberger Rare “Tour With Me Street Basket” Jamboree Donation
Pam Faragher, Independent Longaberger Basket Consultant, donating a rare Longaberger
basket to Jamboree Chairman, Kathy Litkovitz. The basket will be among those at the
Amherst Historical Society Booth as part of the Chinese Basket Raffle. The “Tour With Me
Street Basket” is not available through any Longaberger catalog but only to consultants as
acknowledgment awards. The basket, valued at $200.00, measures approximately 17” in
height, 26” in diameter and 83 1/2” across the top. Pam also donated the large Longaberger
picnic basket that was raffled at last year’s Jamboree. Thank you, Pam! Several of the
Chinese raffle baskets, including the Street basket, will be on display at the June 14
“Discovering the Past” event in the village. A basket raffle ticket can be purchased either at
the village event or at the Jamboree. Winners will be notified on July 12.
Quarry Story Program
On March 24 residents of The Welcome Nursing Home in Oberlin enjoyed a power point presentation of the Quarry Story
given by Bob Pallante. Several in the group were familiar with the quarries; one related her father, brother and nephew had
worked there for forty years and another resident, born and raised in South Amherst, well recalled the Buckeye Hotel. One
resident came prepared to take notes and another with the book, “Sandstone Center of the World.” They expressed interest in
possibly visiting the village this summer.
ART GALLERY and STUDIO
At SANDSTONE VILLAGE
LorMet Credit Union
2051 Cooper Foster
Rd.
Bulk Landscaping Materials
Amherst, OH 44001
767 Milan Ave
“Local Community Banking at it’s best.”
Amherst, Ohio
Gallery 440-984-4442
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History of Amherst
1850 - 1890
Written by Miss Marion Steele. Taken from Amherst Ohio Sesquicentennial 1814 - 1964
Milo Harris, 1812-1904, was one of the first boys born in the village. He was the son of Josiah Harris, founder of
the town. Milo Harris was the first sheriff of Lorain County in 1861. It is recorded he was a very staunch citizen of
the town. His was a life that did much to build up the village and to establish justice and right. His daughter was
Lucia Harris Parker, an interested citizen of our town for many years.
The stone industry has given Amherst world prominence. A brief story of the quarries is quoted from Middenforf’s Amherst, Our Town.
― In 1847, a hard-working business man by the name of Henry Warner sent some stone from what was known
as Brownhelm Quarry. Until that time, landowners were unhappy about the many stones they found on their
lands. Many went so far as to call lands with a great deal of stone on them—wasteland. The stone shipped by
Warner was destined for Canada. The buyer of the stone was John Worthington, a big government contractor in
Canada. The name of Worthington was to play an important part in the stone industry of Amherst. During that
same year, Mr. Worthington purchased a tract of quarry land of sandstone and developed the first quarry in the
Amherst district.‖
― Between 1850 and 1870, sandstone grew in importance as a building material. It came into demand for sidewalk, curbing and paving of streets. A great change occurred in Amherst after the first small opening was made
for the taking out of the stone. The so-called waste lands rose in value. Ownership of quarry lands passed
through many hands during the following decades. The entire northern and western sections of the township
became crowded with men and machines, steam and stone.‖
― Through the efforts of the various owners of the quarries, Amherst sandstone came to be in demand throughout the world. Quarrying sandstone was big business in Amherst. Its importance can be seen by a survey of
some of the stone companies operating in the Amherst area in 1879. Among the many stone companies were
Worthington & Sons Company, the Wilson & Hughes Stone Company, the Ohio Stone Company, L. Halderman
& Son Company, the Amherst Stone Company, the Clough Stone Company, and Nichol & Miller Company. In
addition there were about half a dozen smaller quarries plus those worked by farmers on their lands for their
own use.‖ ―Other businesses sprang up as a result of stone production. One such business was that of George
E. Hall and Company. This company opened the first stone saw mill in the area in 1868.‖
― The first stone blocks were hauled on wagons to Vermilion and by boat to Canada. As the demand for stone
increased, an easier way and more practical method for shipping stone had to be found. The Clough Stone
Company built a narrow-gauge railroad from its quarry to a company wharf on Lake Erie at Oak Point. The
stone was first loaded on flat cars following a downhill grade to the stone landing pier. Waiting east-and westbound ships were loaded with building stone or grindstones, and the empty cars were pulled uphill by mules.
Mules soon proved to be too slow. A small engine replaced the mules until the lake Shore Railroad made its
rates so low that it soon became more practical to ship by rail than water.‖ The demand for sandstone and its
large scale production drew many people into the stone industry.
A great many people came into the Amherst area, bought tracts of land, and opened quarries. They hoped to
make large fortunes.
The ―Quigley Crew‖ seems to have dwindled to three of four ladies who accession artifacts, work on
displays and even prepare lunch for board meeting every other month.
Need we mention we’d like help at any or all of these tasks.
Call Viv at 988-4234 if you have any Wednesday mornings free…. and you are sure to enjoy yourself.
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Newest United Stated Minted Coins
How well do you remember our coins and bills? Take the Currency Quiz….no peeking!
1. Who is featured on the U.S. penny?
John Adams
Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Jackson
1. Who is featured on the U.S. $1 dollar bill?
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
2. Who is featured on the U.S. nickel?
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Franklin D. Roosevelt
2. Who is featured on the U.S. $5 dollar bill?
Abraham Lincoln
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
3. Who is featured on the U.S. dime?
Andrew Jackson
Franklin D. Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
3. Who is featured on the U.S. $10 dollar bill?
Woodrow Wilson
Andrew Jackson
Alexander Hamilton
4. Who is featured on the U.S. quarter?
George Washington
Grover Cleveland
Theodore Roosevelt
4. Who is featured on the U.S. $20 dollar bill?
Andrew Jackson
James Madison
Abraham Lincoln
5. Who is featured on the U.S. half-dollar?
Woodrow Wilson
John F. Kennedy
Benjamin Franklin
5. Who is featured on the U.S. $50 dollar bill?
William McKinley
Woodrow Wilson
Ulysses S. Grant
6. Who is featured on the U.S.$100 dollar bill?
Benjamin Franklin
William McKinley
Andrew Jackson
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WELCOME TO THE AMHERST SANDSTONE VILLAGE
MAY 3rd TO SEPTEMBER 27th
OPENING
You may join a guided tour of all the buildings or just walk about the grounds.
Your tour begins at the Hickory Tree Grange Hall,
the only sandstone building in its original location.
Erected in 1879, the building was originally a oneroom schoolhouse before becoming a Grange. In
October the village award winning “One Room
Schoolhouse” program takes place over a three week
period for approximately 300 third grade students.
You will be able to see the hall set up as it is for the
1800’s school program during your tour.
The Amherst Auto Garage is
original to the property and contains a 1920 Model T Ford and a
1920’s Chevy Stake truck donated
by Evan Nord. As well on display
are many artifacts found in repair
garages of that era.
Next on your visit is the St. George Chapel which
boasts the unique charm and beauty of a true country
chapel. Constructed in 1882, as a one room schoolhouse,
it was restored into a sandstone chapel and used as an
Episcopalian church until sold and converted into an
apartment. Its artifacts and pews were donated by numerous Amherst churches. Many couples are hosting
their weddings in the vintage setting. As you leave the
chapel don’t forget to ring the tower bell!
You enter a 1925 B&O 1-5 Caboose
to view the railway car renovated to
its original décor with potbelly stove
pipe, water tank, and smoke stack.
The walls contain a pictorial history
of the 1916 Amherst Train Wreck
and its impact on the village.
The Firelands Archaeological
Research Center, our latest addition
to the village, conducts field and
laboratory work studying the past
human culture of the inhabitants of
northern Ohio hundreds of years ago.
The Jenne Building Art Gallery is unique to the Sandstone Village allowing
the visitor a relaxing interlude to browse various works of art and distinctive
crafts. The gallery contains the pen and ink drawings of Neal Jenne, Artist in
Residence, as well as the works of many of the area artists.
Your visit to the gallery is ideal for those “only one of a kind” gift ideas. The
walls offer collective works of art and among various items on display are
Ukrainian eggs, shell creations, hand carved boxes and jewelry.
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Your tour continues to...
The Harris-Dute House built in 1843, is the oldest building moved to the village and a classic example of the
“Greek Revival” style of architecture so common in rural
America before the Civil War. Each room in the two story
house is completely restored representing the style of the
1840’s to 1880’s.
The Pig Barn is the fourth original
sandstone structure displayed in the
village. The building was erected
entirely of cut sandstone quarried
around 1890 from the Amherst quarries and used exclusively as a pig
barn.
The Octagonal Barn and Carriage House is an
early 20th century 8 sided barn and one of the
few remaining in Ohio. Built to withstand high
winds and to conserve lumber, this geometric
barn houses vintage farm tools and a full black
mannequin horse with an Albany cutter sleigh.
The Blacksmith Shop is a replica of
a Vermont shop. It was constructed
mainly of Amherst sandstone as well
as pre-Civil War maple wood.
During scheduled function, a blacksmith is in the shop to give actual
demonstrations.
The Village Stone Carver Shop is
where you will find Bill Provident, master stone carver. Bill’s work has been
displayed both locally and nationally.
You will see his current projects which
includes painting, sculpturing and of
course stone carving.
The Quigley Museum is the original house built by Joseph Quigley in 1832.
Mr. Quigley, one of the earliest quarry owners, used sandstone to build his
home which was excavated from a small quarry located 1.5 miles east of the
house. The museum houses multiple and abundant exhibits that celebrate the
life and accomplishments of Amherstonians since the founding of our city.
On display are numerous artifacts which reflect early quarry days, vintage
medical and dental instruments and military articles dating from the Civil
War to WWII.
The exterior features have remained essentially untouched, making this building a rare example of early sandstone architecture.
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THE GRINDSTONE BULLETIN BOARD
The Grindstone Bulletin Board is an opportunity for members to post personal announcements, special message events or
for sale items. If interested, call the society office at 988-7255. Announcement fee is $10.00
Please keep the bulletin board in mind for any of your summer events coming up; garage sales,
family reunions, etc. Since we had no announcements for this issue, the coin answers are listed.
Coin Currency Quiz Answers
1. Abraham Lincoln is featured on the U.S. penny. A group called Citizens for Retiring the Penny advocates
the retirement of the penny. One of the points they make is that it already costs 1.4 cents to mint a penny, so
why keep it in circulation if it could be melted down for more than its worth in circulation? Source: Retire
the Penny.
2. Thomas Jefferson is featured on the U.S. nickel. During WWII many metals had to be rationed and nickel
was one of them due to its use in armor plating. From 1942 to 1945, nickels were no longer made of nickel,
and instead were replaced with a silver, copper and manganese alloy. Source: Coin Resource.
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt is featured on the U.S. dime. Roosevelt's portrait was placed on the dime the year
after he had passed away in 1945. It was appropriate due to the famous “March of Dimes” fundraising campaign to end polio, a disease that had left Roosevelt in a wheelchair. Source: Coin Resource.
4. George Washington is featured on the U.S. quarter. The very popular 50 State Quarter program releases 5
new state designs every year. By inspiring a new generation of coin collectors across the nation, the U.S.
federal government has profited $3.8 billion dollars from collectors taking the coins out of circulation.
Source: Wikipedia
5. John F. Kennedy is featured on the U.S. half-dollar. Kennedy was memorized on the half-dollar coin after
his assassination in 1963. At the time, Benjamin Franklin half-dollars had only been circulating for 15
years, and by law, coins could only be changed after 25 years of production. Minting the coin, literally required an act of congress. Source: Wikipedia
Dollar Currency Quiz Answers
1. George Washington is featured on the U.S. $1 dollar bill. The present one dollar bill started printing in
1957. There are red and blue fibers mixed throughout the bill and the bill itself is actually a cotton and linen
blend. One dollar bills account for nearly 45% of all U.S. currency. Source: IHT
2. Abraham Lincoln is featured on the U.S. $5 dollar bill. On March 13, 2008, the new $5 dollar bill entered
into circulation with new water marks, inclusion of the color purple, and an enhanced security thread. The
new bill is more difficult to counterfeit. Source: Department of the Treasury
3. Alexander Hamilton is featured on the U.S. $10 dollar bill. The first $10 dollar bill was introduced in 1861
which featured Abraham Lincoln. It wasn’t until 1929 that the honor belonged to Alexander Hamilton. In
2004, there was a movement to replace Hamilton with Ronald Reagan. Source: Wikipedia
4. Andrew Jackson is featured on the U.S. 20 dollar bill. Some claim that if folded correctly, the $20 bill
contains hidden images of the burning World Trade Center and Pentagon building during the 9/11
attack. Source: Linky & Dinky
5. Ulysses S. Grant is featured on the $50 dollar bill. In 2005 legislation was introduced to replace Grant’s
image with that of President Ronald Reagan. With many Democrats balking, along with some
Republicans, a stamp was released instead, Source: BBC
6. Benjamin Franklin is featured on the $100 dollar bill. At the end of this year a new $100 dollar bill will
come into circulation. It has over 650,000 special micro threads embedded into it, which will appear as an
optical illusion of Franklin moving when the bill is moved. This technological advancement will help
prevent counterfeiting. Source: IHT
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Genealogy Corner # 24
By Orville Manes
Omar Noah Steele
Omar Noah Steele was the oldest of four sons of Horace Samuel Steele and Amanda (Remington)
Steele. Horace was born in Delhi, New York August 27, 1810 and died February 2, 1896 in
California. His wife Amanda was born in North Amherst, Ohio in 1826 and died in 1895 in California.
Omar Noah was born September 15, 1843 in North Amherst, Ohio and died August 17, 1911. He was married
January 14, 1864 in Lorain County, Ohio to Harriet Roselle Crocker, the daughter of Alonzo and Marriette
(Sweatland) Crocker. She died March 22, 1933 in Ozona, Florida.
Omar was involved in the Great Lakes Shipping Industry and was the Chief Engineer of the Onoko, the first iron
hulled ship on the Great Lakes. Omar and Harriet lived at 6514 W. Clifton in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Onoko
Omar Noah Steele at work
Harriet Crocker
Built 1892 for Omar &
Harriet Steele.
General Meeting
May 27, 2009
Grange Hall 7:30 P.M.
Have you ever had the desire to learn about your ancestry but didn’t know where to begin? There was a time
when such a search entailed travel and/or lots of postage. Now, we have the computer to make it all within easy
reach. Our May speaker, Margaret Cheney, not only serves as President of the Lorain County Chapter of the Ohio
Genealogical Society but is also President of the Medina County Genealogical Society and a Trustee for the Ohio
Genealogical Society. We are fortunate to have this busy lady speak at our program. We’ll have our usual brief
business meeting and after the program, stay for a social time when refreshments are served.
At the March General Meeting, a crowd gathered at the Grange Hall to hear Don Darmos speak on the numerous
tunnels dug by the French, Canadians, English and Germans during World War I. Before his retirement, Don was
an Amherst police officer and also in charge of the Lorain County Bomb Disposal Unit. He has been on several digs
in France returning with many vintage artifacts retrieved from the tunnels.
General Meeting Gathering
9
Pictured left is Don during his
presentation and right showing a
German ―Potato Masher‖ grenade
found at one of the sites. A short
film gave the audience a true insight into the digging of the tunnels and the horrific death tolls
inflicted on both sides. After 60
years many of the tunnels still
have tons of live munitions and
thousands of bodies within their
depths.
Don holding a German Potato Masher Grenade
T H E A MH E R S T H I S T O R IC A L SO C I E T Y
1 1 3 SO U T H L A K E S T RE E T
AMHERST, OH 44001
P H O N E : 4 4 0 - 9 8 8 -7 2 5 5
F A X : 4 4 0 -9 8 8 - 2 9 5 1
E M A IL :
A M H E R S T H I S T O R Y@ C E N T U R Y T E L . N E T
WEB:
W W W . A M H E R ST H I ST O RI C A L SO C IE T Y . O R G
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
Paid
Amherst, OH
Permit No. 4
T H E A MH E R S T H I S T O R IC A L SO C I E T Y
B O A RD O F D I RE C T O R S
Donita Abraham
David Kukucka
John Dietrich
Kathy Litkovitz
W. Zack Dolyk, Esquire
Martha Pallante
John Dunn
Dick Rice
Ruth Haff
Judy Ryan
Neal Jenne
Ron Sauer
Lilly Krebs
Dr. Eric Stocker
address
Bernie Wagner-Doane
Grindstone edited by Bob & Martha Pallante
and Donna Rumpler
Printed by SQP Print Center
The History of Aprons
I don’t think our kids or grandkids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma’s apron was to
protect the dress underneath. Because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and
they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cool, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it
carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron
was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust
in a matter of seconds.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ―old-time apron‖ that served so
many purposes. Some people today would go crazy trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron though...but love!!