Current Archives/Historical Preservation Activities - 2007

The purpose of this document is to maintain an ongoing digital representation and record via the Web of current efforts to preserve the history of MMUUS and maintain a corresponding archival collection. The associated documents are presented in chronological order for 2007.

Roger Hiemstra, MMUUS Archivist

Document 1

NEW YORK STATE CONVENTION OF UNIVERSALISTS

GRANT OR LOAN APPLICATION – SUBMITTED 12/28/06

$2500 AWARD GIVEN FEBRUARY 12, 2007

Project Description and Value

The 2006 NYSCU grant enabled MMUUS to move forward with several new initiatives aimed at preserving our church history and to form an active History Committee. An ongoing digital reporting tool, http://www-distance.syr.edu/ archives2005-2006.html, shows these activities and the Committee’s progress. The revitalized MMUUS web page, http://mmuus.org/, now contains considerable “historical” material. Overall, there is a renewed appreciation for and understanding of the need to preserve church history with parishioners feeling more connected to our rich heritage.

Because History Committee members have gained important experience by working with the various initiatives, we are anxious to share what we have learned with others. For example, two district-wide sharing efforts were made during 2006 as we gained knowledge and skill. Roger Hiemstra presented at the April annual SLD Assembly in Geneva, NY, on the work being accomplished in expanding the knowledge about Sam May. Roger Hiemstra and Harsey Leonard presented at the October NYSCU annual meeting in Albany involving a hands-on workshop on paper records and media preservation.

We believe we can expand on such experiences and help promote an awareness and appreciation of UU history in the St. Lawrence and Metropolitan New York Districts. This will be accomplished via two workshops throughout the districts as described below. Ultimately, especially as increasing amounts of historical material and artifacts are preserved and displayed within local churches and on the World Wide Web, the pubic awareness of and interest in Unitarian Universalism will be increased.

Project Objectives

Therefore, this project has the following objectives:

1. Continue the many preservation activities at MMUUS initiated through the 2006 grant.

2. Create display areas at MMUUS as visible portrayals of history’s importance in promoting Unitarian Universalism.

3. Share knowledge gained from our first year’s experiences with others in the St. Lawrence and Metropolitan New York Districts.

Project Activities Related to the Three Objectives

Continued Preservation Activities

1. Continue web page development related to church history and continue enhancement of the Sam May web page.

2. Continue interviewing of long term MMUUS members and former members to gather recollections and new historical information (Document 13 within http://www-distance.syr.edu/archives2005-2006.html provides a description of the interviewing plan).

3. Continue with collecting, inventorying, and preserving MMUUS historical records.

4. Continue digitization of existing paper and older media records for long-term storage.

5. Continue sharing historical information with church members and friends through newsletter articles, periodic electronic displays during Sunday social hours, and electronic displays at the annual and other appropriate church meetings.

6. Create biographies for the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography (http://www.uua.org/uuhs/duub/) for two or more past May Memorial ministers.

Create History Display Areas

1. Build and mount a glass covered display case for historical records, materials, and artifacts that will be changed regularly (see Attachment A).

2. Create and mount plaques that honor past MMUUS award winners (as shown at http://www-distance.syr.edu/awardees.html) (see Attachment B).

3.

Share Knowledge Gained District Wide

1. Conduct Saturday workshops in the Albany and Syracuse areas covering (a) needed policy related to collecting and storing historical material; (b) gathering, storing, and inventorying historical material; (c), interviewing long-term church members to gather historical recollections; (d) preservation techniques, procedures, and resources; and (e) digital conversion for long-term storage of paper material, slides, films, etc. (see Attachment C for a proposed workshop agenda).

2. Create and publish on the World Wide Web an online version of the workshop information for people unable to attend a scheduled meeting.

3. Present information about Sam May and his many contributions at one or more churches in the St. Lawrence District.

The workshops noted above will be scheduled in collaboration with the St. Lawrence and Metropolitan New York District officials so that conflicts are avoided and leadership development efforts are complemented. For example, it is anticipated that SLD Administrative Assistant, Sue Tabone, would be invaluable in help with securing venues, publicity, registration, and creating appropriate data bases.

Finally, the project director (Roger Hiemstra) will carry out appropriate management of available funds, have overall responsibility for managing the workshops, coordinating the various project activities, providing periodic reports to the church board, History Committee, and minister, and complete all progress and final reporting as required by NYSCU. He will donate 25 to 40 hours per month to these various activities. See http://www-distance.syr.edu/resume.html for Hiemstra’s resume showing relevant work experience. In addition, see http://www-distance.syr.edu/archives2005-2006.html , a web page that summarizes the 2006 project activities under his leadership.

Project Budget: Estimated cost of each applicable category. (See Attachment D for a detailed budget.)

Category (e.g., honoraria, publicity, travel, copying, etc. [please specify])

_Display areas_________________________ _1300.00___

_Equipment___________________________ __730.00___

_Miscellaneous________________________ __100.00___

_Preservation__________________________ __205.00___

_Travel/Workshops_____________________ __600.00___

Total Request (should equal amount on p. 4) _2935.00___

Please provide a summary budget for the present year for your congregation or UUA affiliated organization.

Income

Pledge Income ____209, 500_____

Endowment Income ______ 1,135_____

Other Income (e.g. Bldg. Rental) _____ 58,950_____

Fundraising _____ 14,000_____

TOTAL ____283,585_____

Expenses

Salaries ____194,920_____

Administrative Expenses _____10,550_____

Maintenance _____66,480_____

Religious Education ______4,100_____

UUA and District Dues _____22,340_____

Other _____22,750_____

TOTAL ____321,140_____

Number of members _249_ Number of pledge units __151_

Change in pledge income this year ___15,550_____________

Change in membership this year _________+3________ (voting members = 249)

Number of “Chalice Lighters” _______40 pledge units (49 people)__

Fair share congregation (past year) UUA: Yes__X_ No____ District: Yes__X_ No____

Identify organizational participation in training programs relative to leadership, canvass, growth, religious education, or long-range planning.

EAGLES participation in 2006

Ongoing attendance and a presentation at St. Lawrence District conferences

Ongoing attendance and a presentation at the annual NYSCU meeting

Representation at the General Assembly in 2006

Worked with Ministerial Settlement representative: Rev. Howard Dana

Worked with Compensation Consultant: Mr. Fred Boreali

Worked with Planning and Leadership Development Program Consultant Jeanne Crane on Communication Skills

Church members participated in two workshops: “Beyond Categorical Thinking” and

“Intergenerational Communication”

The Church hosted a district meeting on music

Ongoing participation in Chalice Lighters

Ongoing donations to the UUSC

Take part in the regional food bank

Ongoing participation in and support of Unirondak

Ongoing utilization of District (and UUA) resources for our ministerial search activities

Participation in leadership activities at national retreats

Attachment A

Proposal to Display Church History Information and Mementos At MMUUS

Overview

As a means for showcasing MMUUS’ wonderful and interesting history, it is proposed that a display case be created and hung outside of the social hall. It would be made out of wood and roughly the dimensions of three feet by two feet and six inches deep. A lockable glass door would enclose the case. To enhance vision of the contents, subtle lighting would be added above the case.

Access to the case would be by members of the History Committee. Displays would be changed periodically (at least four times a year) to increase curiosity and anticipation. We believe church members and friends will find the displays interesting, but it also will be a way of enticing visitors to learn more about the church and its history.

The work involved in completing this project would be arranged by History Committee members, but under the guidance of the Building and Grounds Committee.

Estimated Budget

Wood material 100.00

Lockable glass door and associated hardware 100.00

Lighting material and supplies 50.00

Contracted wiring costs for lighting 150.00

Contracted construction costs 300.00

Total $700.00

Attachment B

Proposal to Display Past MMUUS Award Winners’ Names

Overview

As a tribute to our past award winners announced during the 2006 Annual Meeting, it is proposed that plaques with the names of all such past award winners be created and hung on the outside north wall of the social hall roughly above the water fountain area. Three plaques would be created, one for the Annual Award, one for the Unsung Hero Award, and one for the Sam May Award. A plaque honoring the annual Mary Lib Whitney Award winners is already displayed outside DRE Jennifer Hamlin-Navias’ office door. See http://www-distance.syr.edu/awardees.html for a portrayal of past award winners.

Because this is envisioned as an eye-catching, attractive display, they would be hung at approximately an adult’s eye level and fashioned securely to the wall to prevent removal. Gold name plates featuring each year’s winners are envisioned, including space to add future winners. A larger name plate describing the award would be displayed at the bottom or top of each plaque. To enhance vision of the display, subtle lighting would be added above the case.

The work involved in completing this project would be undertaken by History Committee members, but under the guidance of the Building and Grounds Committee.

Estimated Budget

Three good quality wooden plaques 200.00

Gold name plates, including those for future names 100.00

Name engraving costs 150.00

Contracted wiring costs for lighting 150.00

Total $600.00

Attachment C

Proposed Workshop Agenda

The workshop plan is to identify an UU church willing to host a one-day workshop (in the Albany area) for 15-30 people from UU churches within a reasonable driving distance who are interested or already involved in preserving church history. In addition, a one-day workshop would be held in the Syracuse church. A modest registration fee of at least $25.00 would cover expenses incurred by the host church in providing the meeting space, appropriate workshop display equipment/supplies, refreshments for breaks, and lunch. Coffee/tea/juice and light refreshments would be available at arrival time. MMUUS History Committee members will be the presenters.

08:00-09:00 Registration and getting acquainted – George Adams and/or Harsey Leonard

09:00-10:15 Introduction to the workshop, why keeping church history is important, and policy needs related to collecting and storing historical material – Roger Hiemstra

10:15-10:30 Refreshment break

10:30-11:30 Gathering, inventorying, and storing historical material – George Adams or Roger Hiemstra

11:30-12:30 Interviewing long term members on history recollections – Mary Louise Edwards or Roger Hiemstra

12:30-01:15 Lunch

01:15-02:15 Preserving paper products – Mary Louise Edwards and/or Roger Hiemstra

02:15-03:15 Preserving and digitizing media (films, slides, etc.) – Harsey Leonard

03:15-03:30 Refreshment break

03:30-04:30 Using the World Wide Web for portraying church history – Roger Hiemstra

04:30-05:15 Q & A/Sharing personal church experiences with preservation

05:15-05:30 Wrap up and charge for back home activities – workshop facilitators

Attachment D

Budget Details

Anticipated Expenses

Key: (D) = Display Area; (E) = Equipment; (M) = Misc.; (P) = Preservation; (T) = Travel/Workshops

(Numbers rounded for ease in reading)

Continued Preservation Activities

50 Letter size acid free file folders (P) 16.00

50 Legal size acid free file folders (P) 16.00

2 Ph testing pens (P) 10.00

1 Refill bottle for deacidification spray (32 oz) (plus shipping) (P) 105.00

50 4x5 polypropylene sleeves (P) 8.00

50 5x7 polypropylene sleeves (P) 10.00

50 8x10 polypropylene sleeves (P) 15.00

100 Recordable DVDs (P) 25.00

1 HP Visioneer USB Flatbed scanner for digitizing paper material (E) 130.00

1 Viewsonic XGA projector for displaying computerized historical material (E) 600.00

Subtotal $935.00

Build Two Additional History Display Areas

1 History case (lockable glass door and enhancement lighting – see Attachment A) (D) 700.00

3 Wooden plaques w/ name plates (enhancement lighting – see Attachment B) (D) 600.00

Subtotal $1300.00

Share Knowledge Gained District Wide

(See Attachment C for proposed workshop agenda)

2 Overnight accommodations (Albany area) for 3 people (T) 210.00^*

Food (3 meals) for 3 people during travel (Albany area) (T) 90.00^*

Mileage (348 miles @ .36 per mile – three people traveling in one car) (T) 125.00

Handout material at 2 workshops (includes Syracuse area) (T) 100.00

Promotional material for workshops (includes mailings) (T) 75.00

Subtotal $600.00

Other

Miscellaneous expenses (M) 100.00

Subtotal $100.00

Grand total $2935.00

Anticipated Income

NYSCU Award 2500.00

MMUUS Annual Budgeted Amount (estimated) 435.00

Grand total $2935.00

_________________

^*Could be eliminated or reduced if host homes for facilitators can be found.

Budget Rationale

Continued Preservation Activities

· The acid free file folders, Ph testing pens, deacidification spray, polypropylene sleeves, and recordable DVDs are required to continue the preservation of paper and media material begun with monies from the 2006 grant

· The flatbed scanner is required to convert selected paper products, photographs, and other material to digital formats for long term storage

· An XGA projector is required for displaying computerized historical material during periodic church displays, the MMUUS annual meeting and other church meetings, and district-wide workshops

Build Two Additional History Display Areas

· A display case with a glass door that is lockable will enable History Committee members to periodically show new history information and mementos to church members, friends, and visitors so they obtain an increasing sense of how important an understanding of Unitarian Universalism is to a church in terms of its growth, vitality, and long-term viability

· Visible plaques portraying past church award winners (see http://www-distance.syr.edu/awardees.html) will help church members, friends, and visitors understand the value of volunteer leadership, community contributions, and unselfish dedication to Unitarian Universalist principles in the health of a religious community – it is anticipated that desires to emanate such leadership and dedication will be enhanced

Share Knowledge Gained District Wide

· MMUUS History Committee members will contribute their time and talents to enhancing the preservation, display, and portrayal of historical information throughout St. Lawrence and Metropolitan New York Districts

· It is anticipated that two such workshops in 2007 will jump start improved UU history preservation, awareness, and promotion

Document 2

Newsletter Articles

Continuing in January, 2007, articles related to our history under the heading “Marvelous History Corner!” were included in the church newsletter as another means for informing church parishioners and friends about and generating interest in our history. They are shown below. The date shown after each number is when it was written. It was published in the next church newsletter after that date.

1. (1/9/07) When you get an opportunity, stop down to the Memorial Garden area and look at the Sam May marble tablet. It will take your breathe away when you think that it first adorned a May Memorial church wall in 1885 and now it rests on an MMUUS church wall once again. Thanks to all who helped in some way in the process of this becoming reality. Go to our web page (www.mmuus.org) and click on the link to the Samuel May plaque home at last for more information. Look, too, for a photo display just outside Rev. Marsh’s office showing the process of placing the tablet on that wall.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, here are a few more priceless nuggets from the Mrs. Kenneth Kindelsperger and Polly Lape committee that gleaned some reminiscences about out church during its long history. Elizabeth Manwell, for example, remembered that for years in the James St. church, there were “Children’s Sundays” several times a year and eventually with so many children they actually encircled the entire congregation. She also recalled one Sunday right after the church school had been given a victrola (wind up record player). She placed it next to a curtain that separated the religious education area from the sanctuary altar. During the junior service that first week it was there she played a rousing record of an Indian Tribal Dance to illuminate a folk story they were studying, not thinking about how the sound would carry so well through the curtain. After the service, Rev. Dr. Argow asked her quite gently not to that again. Her music happened just as he began his prayer in the sanctuary; he thought it was coming from the organ and that the organist had missed his cue, so he kept on praying thinking the organist would figure out what was happening and stop playing. Dr. Argow told her that he just kept on praying louder and louder thinking the organ would stop, but eventually he had to stop praying thinking the organ had won until he figured out from where the music was coming. Think about that the next time any of us hear some noise in the foyer during a Sunday service and find ourselves becoming slightly irritated.

Florida Tracy talked with fondness about the wonderful work of the Women’s Alliance. During the Rev. Calthrop and Rev. Applebee ministries right up until WWI, the Alliance annually gave a Christmas noontime dinner and entertainment to our church youth on a Saturday before Christmas. Eventually, the Alliance voted to include the poorest children in the two nearby elementary schools. This involved 75-100 children, ages 6-8, who typically did not have much of a Christmas simply because their parents could not afford it. She talked about the heart warming sight of seeing the wide-eyed kids before a lighted tree and then as they received food and gifts. She talked, too, that this notion of giving actually went all the way back to Rev. May’s era when church women made hospital clothing and bandages that were shipped to the Union front during the Civil War and then the making of garments and bandages that the Red Cross used in WWI and WWII. They also made garments and sleepers for refuge infants during both wars. It certainly makes me proud to belong to a church that has such a wonderful and long social action heritage.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist

2. (1/20/07) I just can’t resist sharing a few more wonderful tidbits from that Kindelsperger and Lape committee on recording remembrances in the 1960s about fundraising and about a couple of our past ministers. Think of our current Fine Craft show or biennial Book & CD Sale as fundraisers. Well, Helen Eager remembered not only concerts and plays as ways of raising funds, but they also had wax work shows with human models (I would loved to have seen those). She was part of a large committee, too, that through Rev. Applebee’s ministry in the 20s made over 400 calls to members and others who were troubled by the depression and declining economic situation. One of her memories as a youth was about Sam Calthrop and his “famous” forgetfulness: “Dr. Calthrop was a great preacher. He was an English man with a beautifully pitched voice and annunciation. He wore a skull cap over his bald dome when he thought it proper and started the service with it on. But it was not proper for the prayer. He would sometimes forget to take it off and we children would peek from beneath our bowed head to see how long it would be before he remembered to slip his hand up, sneaking it off into his pocket.” She also mentioned his propensity to be a bit long-winded at times: “My grandfather was also English and he and the Doctor were close friends. Sometimes the Doctor would get too absorbed in his sermon and go on and on. Grandfather was way down in front and he would hold up his big repeater watch which the Doctor would eventually see and wind up the sermon abruptly.”

It seems so common today that sports contests can be held in the evening with all the available stadium lighting. Floss Eustin remembered early in the last century when she and family members would travel to Rev. Calthrop home, known as Primrose Hill, on Sunday afternoons for picnics and visiting with others. Sam, who was a tennis enthusiast, would string lanterns around his tennis court so tennis matches could continue into the early evening and then there would be dancing until midnight. Helen Eager also remembered people frequently going to Primrose Hill after Sunday services where they could look through his telescope and he would talk about his astronomy interests. Polly Lape talked fondly about the custom of using the Sunday collection money gathered near Thanksgiving and Christmas to buy food and clothing for those in need throughout the community. She also remembered Dr. Applebee’s interest in dramatics and that he engineered as a fundraiser in the church, a famous play in the 20s entitled, “The Old Peabody Pew,” a Christmas romance about a country church. She later became involved in annual Christmas pageants, also used as fundraisers. Finally, Gladys Timmerman recalled another interesting fundraising activity by the Women’s Alliance that “was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, and brought people together.” It was called the “Department Store,” and involved the sale of various items. The Alliance also was known for its fundraising dinners that were so popular there would need to be several sittings before everyone was served. So the next time you are asked to help with a fundraising event, remember that they have been an integral part of May Memorial for many, many years.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist

3. (2/5/07) Sam May’s legacy is everywhere! In late January I was at Framingham State College (Framingham, MA) to deliver a keynote address on teaching adults for the college’s continuing education faculty. A panel of three faculty gave a reaction to my address after I finished. I met with them a half hour before the session to determine procedures. The first to arrive was a delightful Professor of History. As the others were gathering he began describing his current research project, an examination of the past Framingham State College presidents. He said his favorite president was Samuel J. May. You could have knocked me over with a feather, as I stammered that he was the man for whom my church was named. As we both enthusiastically began sharing information, some pieces from his life prior to living in Syracuse began dropping into place.

Horace Mann, Massachusetts’s initial Secretary of Education, established the first experimental normal school in the country to train women as teachers. This was in 1839 and the first Principal (top official) was Harvard educated Cyrus Pierce. Cyrus became ill and had to step down in 1842. Sam May had been minister of the South Scituate (MA) Unitarian church from 1836-1842. Mr. Mann convinced Sam that because he already had such a passion for improving education, to take on the Principal role. He served the Normal School for two full years where the enrollment doubled, the school was relocated from its first location in Lexington to West Newton, and many new faculty were hired. Upon Mr. Pierce regaining full health, Sam then accepted the position at our church. As the Normal School eventually moved to Framingham and ultimately became a state college, Sam is called the institution’s second president. To read just a bit more and, especially, to see a photo of Sam in those early years and when he did not have a beard, go to this link: http://www-distance.syr.edu/normalschool.html

Just a bit more about Sam. When he was beginning his ministerial work in Massachusetts, he laid much of the groundwork for his ministry with us. He formed a Peace Society in 1826 and in 1827 called the first State Convention on Education to consider the defects of common schools. While at the Scituate church his Sunday School children became staunch adherents of Peace and Universal Freedom. In his efforts to promote total abstinence, he also organized a “Cold Water Army” of a few hundred young people, who marched through the town and chanted "eternal hate to all that doth intoxicate." He put the rum dealers and liquor establishments out of business, but the people still loved him as a pastor. That was our Sam!

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist

4. (2/13/07) Since becoming the MMUUS archivist, I have been fascinated with Sam Calthrop, our third minister. Besides being a beloved long-time minister of this church, he was well known as an athlete, philosopher, and even poet. However, one of his favorite avocations was dabbling in science. For example, on August 8, 1865, he filed a patent (No. 49,227) for “improvement in construction of railway trains and cars.” This was way ahead of its time and the forerunner of what became known as the bullet train. It called for tapering the front and rear to lower wind resistance, encasing each car with a false bottom for further sleekness, raising the tender to create a bullet shape, enclosing doors to make them flush with the sides of each car, enclosing the intervals between cars with flexible hoods, rounding as much as practicable the sides of all cars, and avoiding all projecting surfaces such as window ledges. The patent material included drawings that also seemed ahead of their time even by today’s standards. A need for cash with a growing family eventually resulted in sale of the patent. Oh! If he had only kept it and willed it to May Memorial!

Another endeavor was his interest in the sun and sun spots.