Friday, March 5, 2010

Spring Day Trip to Hyde Park, N.Y. Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center’s spring Day Trip will be Wednesday May 5, 2010 to the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Val-kill, and to the Vanderbilt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, N.Y. Come enjoy a spring day out and bring your friends.
The Eleanor Roosevelt N.H.S. is the only national park service site dedicated to an American First Lady. A short biographical film and a guided tour of the cottage will take place in the morning.
After lunch we will visit the Vanderbilt Mansion for a guided tour.
Lunch: at Coppola’s Italian American Bistro in Hyde Park. A hot and cold buffet will consist of salads, entrees, vegetables, dessert and beverages– coffee, tea or water. Soda or other beverages on your own.

Departure: 8a.m. from the rear parking lot across from the Wesleyan Church, 75 Grace Street, Northside, Waterford. There will be a brief coffee stop on the Thruway in the morning. Approximate return to Waterford 5p.m.
Cost: Current members- $70.00 - non-members $75.00. Price includes parking, motor coach transportation with Wade tours, admission fees, guided tours and lunch.

Paid Reservations by April 3, 2010
Make reservations today. Call in your reservations to
Emily Wilson at 518-237-7122.
Please make checks payable to the Waterford Historical Museum and mail directly to: Emily Wilson, Treasurer
26 Columbus Ave., Waterford N. Y. 12188

From the Director- Newsletter Column

From the Director

Spring is around the corner and I can’t wait! Although we have not been hit by the snow, it has been cold. It is hard to sit and write to you all without passing on the sad news of the proposed cuts to the New York State Parks and Historic Sites. By the time you read this newsletter the announcement will have already been in the papers, but it is fresh on my mind. What is scary is the big picture and long term effects of such a move. Will Schulyer Mansion ever reopen once closed? What will happen with its collection, the wonderful building and visitor center? How about the staff? Will this history be lost? The next to get cut will be the funding agencies like the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) which has already taken large cuts. Our immigrant series has been made possible by grants through NYSCA and the New York Council on the Humanities. We are in the process of applying for another NYSCA grant to help with the online phase of the immigrant series and I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be some money for NYSCA to even consider our application. I encourage you all to contact your elected state officials to express your feelings on this matter.
On a more happy note, I am pleased to say that the funding we received from NYSCA last year has helped purchase new exhibit furniture and exhibit elements like our new touch screen interactive station. These new items will help us better serve the public for many years. The French-Canadian or Franco-American exhibit will be the second exhibit to really benefit from these new improvements. Aine Leader-Nagy and I are hard at work putting together the new exhibit and we are thrilled with the turnout for interviews! The exhibit will open May 1st. If you are of Irish descent please start collecting your family history to share with us this summer and Fall.
Heritage Day and the Concert Under the Stars will be at a new time this year, July 23rd and 24th so please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Thank you for your support! Brad

Eagle Scout Project






Eagle Scout Project Improves Parking Lot
Anyone who has parked in our lot knows the challenge of not going too far off the pavement. Now, thanks to an Eagle Scout Project by Ryan Carlson of Troop 632 based in Waterford, this problem is a thing of the past. Ryan and members of Troop 632 moved our existing barriers closer to the parking lot and added three more. Now you can park with confidence!
Thank you Ryan and Troop 632!

Canal Clean Sweep






Canal Clean Sweep at the Old Champlain Lock 4
Saturday, April 17th

Volunteers Needed to Help Clean Around Lock 4
Once again this year we will be joining forces with the NYS Canal Corporation and Parks and Trails New York by participating in their Canal Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 18th. Our project will be working on cleaning the area around old Lock #4 which is directly in front of the Museum.
We will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Museum.

Annual Pancake Breakfast

Annual Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, April 25th

Join us at our Annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser which will be Sunday, April 25th, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Waterford Civic Center. This is one of our major fundraising activities for the year. If you can’t come, please send a donation to help us meet our goal of $1,100.
Waterford Civic Center
Third Street, in the Village of Waterford

Sponsors Needed for Franco-American Exhibit

Sponsors Needed for
Franco-American Exhibit

Over the past year we have been researching French Canadians or Franco-Americans in Waterford. All of the research will culminate in an exhibit that is set to open in May and run until March, 2011. But, we need your help! Sponsors are needed to help make this exhibit reach its potential.
If you would like to make a donation toward the Museum exhibit fund please send a check or money order to the Museum or make a donation online through PayPal at our website. Donor’s names will be listed in the credits of the exhibit.
Send check to:
Waterford Museum, Exhibit Fund
2 Museum Lane
Waterford, NY 12188