Quincy Square Museum Association

2007 Year in Review

President's Report

The following is the Report of the President of the Quincy Square Museum Association for the year 2007, by Richard Eades, provided at the Annual Meeting of the Association.

“Our program schedule for 2007 began on May 12 with Bob Loomis talking about “The Loomis Gang.” On June 16, Norman Dann gave a presentation on “Gerrit Smith - Abolitionist.” On July 14, Walter Lang, Jr. presented a program on “Genealogy of Oneida Community Mansion House Residents.” On August 18, Charles D’Imperio entertained those attending with an interesting presentation on “Great Graves of Upstate New York.” Our largest audience of the year attended a presentation on September 8 by Rose Wellman about the Parsons Low-Down Wagon. We have already begun planning our schedule for 2008 programs.

This year, our Museum was favored with three major donations, as well as several other items. The biggest donation came from the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. For several years, we have been interested in acquiring a Low-Down Wagon. Finally, through a happy convergence of circumstances, and with the help of several people, the one which had been on display for several years at the Shelburne Museum was given to the Quincy Square Museum, and is now on permanent display in our Museum. A second donation was that of an up-to-date modern computer by an anonymous donor. Once we had acquired that computer, up-to-date museum software entitled PastPerfect was donated by Harriette Adamson in memory of her sister. The donation of the Wagon, computer and software were recognized at our September 8 program.

Before I agreed to serve as President of the Quincy Square Museum Association, Inc., I was told that the Committees would do much of the work. Based on that assurance, which went along with my philosophy that no individual should have to do all, or even most of the work in an organization, I agreed to accept the position. During the past year, that assurance proved to be pleasingly very accurate. Usually, the Committees, both Standing and Special, proved that our organization owes whatever success we have had to the work of several people, not just one. Moreover, when work needed to be done, people not even members of the Committee involved in a specific project, were willing to pitch in to help. I owe a debt of gratitude to each of those who helped the Quincy Square Museum Association, Inc. in any way during this past year.

Our Building and Grounds Committee has had its share of work this year. With my abject lack of knowledge in such areas as electrical work, landscaping, painting, waterproofing, etc., I have had to rely on their expertise, and they have performed admirably. Hats off to those involved, especially Gordon Dresser, Colleen Buchta, Ann Laing, and Harriette Adamson. Our Museum certainly presented itself well to our visitors. An inspection by the Codes Enforcement Officer on March 7 provided us with information about areas in need of improvement. Although some of these improvements will not be inexpensive, it is anticipated that the costs will be borne in large part, by grants and other donations. More on this at a later date.

The hours of work put in by the Floor Management Committee and others in rearranging the displays led to a much improved look inside the Museum. Colleen Buchta, Sue DeSantis, Ann Laing, and Wilma Washburn have spent long hours in reviewing and organizing clippings, newspapers, etc., as well as arranging and rearranging our exhibits when necessary.

Special thanks go to Wilma Washburn, our Recording Secretary, whose efforts on behalf of the Association have gone far beyond excellent note taking at our meetings which has resulted in comprehensive minutes available for distribution and reference. Although health issues kept Elizabeth Davey, our Corresponding Secretary, out of commission during much of the year, she helped when she could, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Raising funds is perhaps one of the bigger challenges facing any group such as ours. We miss the expertise of Milly Palmer who spearheaded our successful attempts to obtain Mid-York Foundation grants. Our new sign this year was a partial result of the most recent grant. To the Mid-York Foundation, the Village of Earlville and to each person and organization which has contributed or helped in any way in our fund-raising efforts, goes our sincere appreciation. Certainly, the work of the Membership Committee, chaired by Colleen Buchta, is appreciated. Most of all, we thank all those who supported the work of this Association by paying membership dues, and especially those who contributed more than was requested. It is our fervent hope that some of you will see your way clear to becoming more active in the work of this Association. Your help is needed in many areas.

When we acquired the new computer and PastPerfect software, we initially thought it would be easy to transfer our accession and membership records from other formats into PastPerfect. However, after valiant efforts by Gil Laing, we found that the task would not be so easy, and that the records had to be individually put into PastPerfect. Our hats are off to Ann Laing, who has spent considerable time accomplishing this task.

I would like to thank each member of the Quincy Square Museum Association, Inc. for their support, and especially those who took an active part in doing what needed to be done. We are a TEAM, and our accomplishments are the result of teamwork. Although we sometimes view things differently, we are bound by our common purpose.

Where will we go from here? Certainly, we face many challenges, not the least of which is to find more active members, willing to give of their time to assist in the work of the Museum. If we learn from the mistakes of the past, build on the successes we have achieved, and are unafraid to face new challenges, I believe that our future is secure.”