We had a great turnout for our latest program on the renovation of the former D&M station, now Battle Street Brewery. Here are a few photos, thanks to Jasmine Willis:
Notecards with a hometown flavor, new to the Dansville Area Historical Society museum gift shop.
Looking for a Christmas gift with a little local flavor? The Dansville Area Historical Society Museum is open every Saturday from now until Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. In our gift area, you can find notecards, cutting boards, Christmas ornaments, throw rugs, “hometown collectible” figurines of local places, plus books on local history. Perhaps you want to give someone the gift of an annual Society membership for Christmas?
All proceeds from the sales of our gifts benefit the museum and help bring you programs throughout the year.
Not to mention, of course, our museum is free and open to the public. Located at 14 Church St., Dansville.
(Above) Accepting certificates for Dansville Area Historical Society’s Hall of Fame were Jim Blum (grandson of John Blum), Jane Schryver, Joan Hart (daughter of Robert Hart) and Laura Kreiley (niece of Robert Hart). Photo provided by Nancy Helfrich
During its annual dinner meeting October 28 in the Daniel Goho American Legion Post, Dansville Area Historical Society inducted 10 new members into its Hall of Fame.
The hall of fame was originally introduced in 1989 with 10 recipients, then again with another 10 in 1995. When the society decided it was time for a new round of recipients, museum curator David Gilbert assembled a team of local historians for a nominating committee. The team came up with more than 30 names, which were later pared down to the final 10. The 10 consisted of well-known names throughout Dansville’s longtime history from its inception to the present.
The following were named:
George Hyland, Sr. 1803-1880
Owner of several local businesses, including American Hotel and Dansville Pail Factory. Led the winning faction in the 1844 ‘canal battle” waged against canal workmen when Main Street businessmen wanted to extend the canal to the center of town. Battle Street stands where the canal extension ran. State Assemblyman, 1861.
George Sweet 1818-1894
Inventor of agricultural implements, established George Sweet Manufacturing Company in Comminsville, which would later become Foster Wheeler. Served as railroad director.
Dr. Harriet N. Austin 1826-1891
Dr. Austin came to Dansville along with Dr. James Caleb Jackson when he opened Our Home on the Hillside (later known as the Jackson Sanatorium and then the Castle on the Hill). She was editor of The Laws of Life publication and a leading advocate of women’s dress reform. She promoted “The American Costume” for women which included a looser fitting dress and trousers. Austin Street is named in her honor.
John Blum 1822-1907
A German immigrant who settled in Dansville and in 1859 began making and selling shoes in his store. He eventually started the Blum Shoe Manufacturing Co. in 1885 which was one of the three leading industries in Dansville for almost a century. Among his civic posts was President of Dansville Board of Health.
Jonathan B. Morey, Sr. 1836-1905
Important local businessman. He established J.G. Morey & Sons Nursery, one of Dansville’s largest, in the northeast section of town where Morey Ave. is now named for him. He served as State Assemblyman and Village President.
George A. Sweet. 1844-1912
Founder and owner of George A. Sweet Nurseries. He was the first president of the Union Hose Company, first president of the Red Cross Chapter No. 1 chartered in 1881, and first president of Citizen Bank in 1887 which was formed after two family banks failed. He served as Village President from 1876-1877.
Dr, Kate J. Jackson 1844-1921
She was a physician and later ran the Jackson Health Resort with her husband Dr. James H. Jackson. A civic leader, she was active on the Dansville Hospital Board, Board of Trade, Board of Education, and the Eastern Star.
Marion F. Owen 1909-1993
Daughter-in-law of publisher F.A.Owen, she was editor of the Instructor Magazine from 1951-1974. She was the leading founder of the Dansville Area Historical Society, served as its first president, and helped found the Dansville Historical Museum in 1968.
Robert F. Hart 1924-2012
President of the Dansville & Mount Morris Railroad, he was elected North Dansville Town Supervisor in 1955. He became the longest-serving Town Supervisor in Livingston County History, serving 43 years until 1998. He also holds the New York State record for the longest-serving county board of supervisors chairman. Robert Hart Drive is named in his honor.
Jane Schryver
A lifelong resident of Dansville and a 1954 DHS graduate, Jane has a large private collection of Dansville-related memorabilia. In collaboration with Paul Hoffman, in 2002 she began offering to the public power-point presentation of subjects related to the history of Dansville, as well as other places in Livingston and Steuben Counties. But surely her most significant contribution to the promotion of Dansville history was spearheading the beautification of the parcel of land which, over the years, has been known variously as Union Park, Normal Park, and Instructor Park, and, as of 2012, has been officially re-designated as Pioneer Park. Jane’s goal was not just to improve its appearance but to restore its largely-forgotten legacy as Dansville’s original cemetery.
Thank you, everyone, who attended our program on World War I last night. It was a treat to have Steuben County Historical Society director and GCC adjunct history professor Kirk House with us to present “Over Here.”
And speaking of World War I, does anyone have any photos of Dansville during World War II? Our museum curator, David Gilbert, is looking for some photos for his next project. If so, please contact the historical society at jmdansville@gmail.com. Thank you.
Please join us for our upcoming annual pasta dinner and program at 6 p.m. in the Dansville American Legion Hall on Oct. 28th. Tickets are $10 apiece and available at the door or through a historical society board member. See you there!
The Dansville Area Historical Society is looking for photos of Dansville during the World War II years: 1941-1945. If you have any photos of our village that you would like to contribute for an upcoming book by local historian and museum curator David Gilbert, please send (with any pertinent information on the photo) as an attachment in .jpg format to Jeff Miller at jmdansville@gmail.com. Thank you!
The Dansville Area Historical Society invites the public to attend its next program, “Indian Artifacts and Old Bottles” presented by Terry York from his personal collection.
The program will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10 in the North Dansville Town Hall. The program is free and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Dansville Museum
14 Church St
Dansville, NY 14437
Open houses first and third Saturdays of each month.
10am-2pm Admission Free
Attention record collectors: The Dansville Area Historical Society will be having a special LP sale at its booth in Church Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, during the annual Dogwood Festival. Please stop by and make an offer on some classic LPs. Proceeds to benefit the restoration of a statue of Bernice Macfadden, which had originally been on display at the Castle on the Hill during the Bernarr Macfadden era.
