Uncovering the past...

Home to the most Underground Railroad sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places in New York State, Oswego County and its people have long stood for freedom and equality for all. Our newest museum, the Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum, commemorates our connection to this significant chapter in our nation’s history.

In 1827, Colonel William Fitch erected this mercantile shop in the village of Mexico, N.Y. Later, it would become an important part of the story due to the actions of one of the many abolitionists in the area, Starr Clark.

Clark was born on August 2, 1793 in Lee, Massachusetts and later spent time as a youth in Utica, New York. He married Harriet Loomis from Verona when he was 22 years old and, a year later, the couple moved to Danby, just south of Ithaca. During this time, they experienced a religious conversion that had a profound effect on the rest of their lives. Of their eight children, a son born in 1831 was named after Theodore Weld, who was at that time one of the best-known abolitionist orators in the country.

In 1832, Clark was hired to run Colonel Fitch’s store in Mexico. He was paid $350 per annum, which included use of the neighboring house and garden. In the store, he sold dry goods and groceries and later added a tin and stove shop, which became a community gathering place. People collected their mail, read the daily paper and discussed politics and social issues of the day, including the abolitionist movement.

 

Oswego County was a hotbed of abolitionist activity and the tin shop and many houses in the surrounding area were “stations” on the Underground Railroad. This was not an actual “railroad,” but rather, a network of people and places that provided aid to slaves who had escaped their masters and sought a life of freedom.

Clark himself was an organizer of the Oswego County Anti-Slavery Society, and wrote the first anti-slavery petition sent to the U.S. Congress from Oswego County. Like many of his neighbors, Clark opened up his home to these “freedom seekers” and they were welcomed, hidden from authorities, and provided with fresh clothing and hot meals while arrangements were made to transport them to Canada.

One famous case in our history was “The Jerry Rescue.” A group of abolitionists, including Clark, planned to rescue William “Jerry” Henry (McHenry), an escaped slave charged under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. After his rescue, “Jerry” was secretly transported and hidden along the Underground Railroad in Oswego County before finally making safe passage to Kingston, Ontario, Canada where he remained the rest of his days.

Posted here are a few images of the museum:

 

 

This building is just one of many well-documented and recognized Underground Railroad locations in Oswego County, and one of only a few sites open to the public. Stop in to learn more about this brave heritage and the restoration of the original tin shop.

 

The Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum, 3250 Main St., Mexico, N.Y. is open from 4 to 7 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, or by appointment. Admission is free. To schedule a tour, call 315/963-7898.

The Mexico Historical Society presents...

During our visit to the museum, we caught up with our friends Marge and Dave Thomas from the Children's Glassworks Theater in Cleveland, N.Y. As guest speaker, Marge shared a bit of history about the children's theater and its namesake, Cleveland Glass Works.  

 

 

 

This year, the troupe’s annual Christmas production is a trilogy of short plays featuring children of various age groups. The stories include “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” “The False Sir Santa Claus,” and “The Christmas Gift.” As in the past, the scripts are adapted for the stage by Marge herself to be sure that every child has a role to play. The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14 at the former St. James Episcopal Church on North Road in Cleveland. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children. For event details, call 315/675-8517.

For more information about the Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum, visit www.mexicony.net/history or find the “Mexico Historical Society Museum” on Facebook. To learn more about Oswego County’s history, go to http://www.visitoswegocounty.com/.

Cheers,

Kelly

The history behind the theatre…

If Nila Mack was known as “The Fairy Godmother of Radio,” then certainly Marge Thomas could be called “The Fairy Godmother of the Children’s Glassworks Theatre” in Cleveland, New York. I would like to say a very special thank you to this group for inviting me into their home to share their love of storytelling.

Once Upon A Time… there was a children’s community theatre group sponsored by the Cleveland Historical Society who calls home the former St. James Episcopal Church. This nearly 150-year-old building was deconsecrated and donated by the Diocese of Central New York in 2003. With the hard work of Dave and Marge Thomas, and the tremendous support of this tight-knit community, a stage was built, costumes were created, and the Children’s Glassworks Theatre put out their first casting call.

Then and now, every child who answers that call has a role to play. They participate in all aspects of the production – acting, stage management, sound and lighting control. This involvement gives each member of the troupe a vested interest in the show and all suggestions are considered. The mutual respect between the children and Marge is as evident as their shared passion for the theatre. It is this connection which drives them and makes it difficult to tell who is having more fun – the children or Marge!

Now in their fifth year, the group has put together 10 different productions, including fairy tales and family classics such as “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

In this year’s show, “House of the World,” Good Will shows a small boy how to ‘break down the walls’ of Greed, Poverty, Vanity, Selfishness and Intolerance to promote love and compassion. The play was adapted by Marge from audio tapes of the landmark children’s radio show, “Let’s Pretend.” Stage direction and an additional scene were added to the hand-written script and production got underway.

Here are a few images of what you can look forward to. However, we saved the best for last… come to the show to see the grand finale!

The history behind the “House of the World”:
The play “House of the World” was created by Nila Mack in 1934 and performed annually by children on the radio program, “Let’s Pretend.” This quintessential Christmas show promotes brotherhood and tolerance.

Nila Mack

Once Upon A Time… a pioneer radio show director blazed her own trail on the airwaves. Nila Mack created the children’s program “Let’s Pretend;” which ran on CBS radio from 1934-1954. This critically-acclaimed and award-winning show presented adaptations of classic fairy tales and other children’s stories, including Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm. These weekly programs focused on education and entertainment for the whole family.

The history behind the Children’s Glassworks Theatre:
The name, Children’s Glassworks Theatre, pays homage to the industry that once made the little village of Cleveland prosperous – glassmaking. The following images appear courtesy of Mabry Benson.

Cleveland Glass Works

Union Glass Company

Once Upon A Time… a German glassmaker came to America to continue his craft and Anthony Landgraff and Sons was founded. The family began manufacturing glass in Vernon, New York before moving the company to Cleveland for the thick hemlock forests that surrounded the village. This was very important as large quantities of wood were needed for the melting furnaces. The Landgraff family continued their trade until 1861 and their company eventually came under ownership of Crawford Getman.

The Union Glass Factory was another glassmaking plant located on the north shore of Oneida Lake. It was organized as a stock company by Cleveland citizens until it too, was eventually sold to Crawford Getman. He successfully ran both companies until 1889 when he sold them to the United Glass Company.

As time went on, the Cleveland factories were re-organized and modernized before falling victim to the fast-moving tides of the industrial age. They finally closed in 1912.

The superior quality of sand found here gave the glass its exceptional brilliance. So much so, that it was used in part by Corning Glass to make the lens for the world’s largest telescope which sits atop Palomar Mountain in California. The primary product of these factories was window glass; however, collectors have found and authenticated many ‘off-hand pieces’. These items were produced by the blower after hours from leftover bits of glass and include canes, pitchers, bowls, chains and the like.

Children's Glassworks Theatre

"House of the World" Cast

The Children’s Glassworks Theatre celebrates the Christmas season with Nila Mack’s “House of the World” this weekend. Performances on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 begin at 7 p.m. Bring the family to St. James Episcopal Church on North Road in Cleveland to see this holiday classic. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and children.

Cheers,
Kelly