DCHA Presents Annual Awards of Merit

By Cyndee Pattison

The Delaware County Historical Association presented Awards of Merit to five individuals and the Greater Fleischmanns Museum of Memories that have helped preserve, promote or present the history of Delaware County, presented its annual report and welcomed guests to a historical program at its annual awards meeting following a delicious and healthy lunch catered by Delhi’s Crossroads Café on November 7.

DCHA president Richard deFrances, assisted by vice president Manny Rodriquez, presented the Awards of Merit. Meredith Town Historian and resident Bernice Graham Telian was honored for her thorough research of twelve Revolutionary War soldiers and two men who fought in the French and Indian War, marking their graves, listing the West Meredith Cemetery on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places and facilitating the clean up and restoration of the Old Meredith Hollow Cemetery. Andes resident and former president and nine year board member of the Andes Society for History and Culture Douglas Reeser was recognized for his contribution to raising funds and his supervision of the Hunting Tavern (now a museum) and Pleasant Valley Meeting House (formerly owned by the Methodist Church) renovations. Davenport residents Mary Briggs (researcher and co contributor) and Alan Strout (editor and co contributor) received awards of merit for preserving the history of the town of Davenport by researching and writing a new illustrated book, “Davenport: Fact and Fancy.” Late Downsville resident and founder of Delaware Heritage Robert Terry who preserved Delaware County history by writing plays and musical programs about historical events was honored posthumously for preserving local heritage. The Greater Fleischmanns Museum of Memories Board of Trustees was recognized for obtaining funds to restore and renovate the museum to display a vast collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth photos and memorabilia depicting Fleischmanns’ former tourism industry and flourishing economy.

Director Tim Duerden expressed appreciation for the generosity of DCHA’s friends and members and reported that the organization’s endowment fund increased by about $15,000 this year through fund raising efforts and a matching grant from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation. He noted that membership has remained steady at about 560-600 and announced that Nancy Mueller has joined the board of directors, replacing Charlie Turner who moved from the area to be closer to his family. Ken Schrieder from Walton has assumed the position of treasurer.

Duerden added that DCHA would struggle financially for operational expenses during 2005 and needs to raise more funds because two major contributors have decreased their donations. He also remembered the late John Raitt who served as DCHA president as well as the Delhi Village and Delaware County historian. “Library manager Helen Casey and I could always depend on John to answer any questions asked about local history,” said Duerden fondly. “I am open to ideas from the community about ways to publicly recognize John Raitt’s enormous contribution to Delaware County’s history.”

During 2004, DCHA repairs were made to the roof of the Frisbee House and a humidity control system was installed to stabilize its interior for future restoration and decoration. The association produced new informational signs for the gun and blacksmith shops, updated the DCHA Website and initiated a series of History Luncheons and a Girl Scout Day.

During 2004, museum curator Angela Gaffney prepared exhibits using clothing from DCHA’s collection and Delaware County In Times of War containing items from the American Revolutionary War through the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. She also prepared the current exhibit that features paintings by local Meredith artist Joseph Santora.

Anthropologist David Oestereicher, PhD provided an informative and fascinating slide show presentation, “In Search of the Lenape: The Delaware Indians Past and Present” funded in part by the New York Council for the Humanities’ Speakers in the Humanities Program.

Cyndee Pattison/DCT

From left (back row) are DCHA Award of Merit recipients Bernice Graham Telian, Alan Stout’s cousin and representative David Griswold and Douglas Reeser. In the front row are Jane Griswold, Mary Briggs’ representative and Greater Fleischmanns Museum of Memories Trustees Jackie Grocholl and Peggy Kearney.