September 30, 2015

All members of the CAMP organization are invited to attend a meeting on October 1, 2015 that will be held at the Wildwood Grill at 7 PM in Salamanca, NY. The meeting is also open to anyone interested in CAMP’S efforts to preserve the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building located in Little Valley, NY which is in danger of demolition by the Cattaraugus County Legislators.

The Wildwood Grill is located at 53 Wildwood Ave, Salamanca, NY and their phone number is (716) 244-6886.

      (Click to enlarge Map)

How Some Cattaraugus County Men Went to War

Transcribed by CAMP Historian, Mark Dunkelman, from a clipping provided by William Watkins, Machias, New York

Cattaraugus Freeman,
Ellicottville, New York,
Thursday, September 26, 1861.
Departure of Volunteers for Elmira.
Correspondence of the Cattaraugus Freeman.

Waverly, Sept. 24, 1861.

Company C [64th New York Volunteer Infantry], under Capt. J. B. Maltbie, left Otto on the 19th inst. for Elmira. This Company numbered 55 men, was organized in about two weeks from the towns of Otto, East Otto and Mansfield, and composed of the most industrious, intelligent and respectable young men of those towns, who, almost at a moment’s warning have left their homes and business, and what is dearer than all their families and friends, to join the army to protect and maintain our Union.

Thursday was a very interesting day for Waverly. Capt. Maltbie called out his Company at 10 o’clock A.M. for drill, people came pouring in from every direction, and our village was soon filled to overflowing. The Captain marched his Company to the Green near the School House at half-past eleven, where the Rev. W. W. Norton, in behalf of the Ladies’ Aid Society of Waverly, presented each soldier with a copy of the Holy Bible . . . Immediately after this ceremony, Caleb Jewett, Esq., for and in behalf of the Ladies of Otto, presented the Company with a beautiful flag. He made some eloquent and deeply affecting remarks, which drew tears from the eyes of all who heard them. His remarks were responded to by Capt. Maltbie and Dr. Lake on behalf of the Company, returning thanks for this kindly token of remembrance, and asking that their families might not be forgotten, in their absence.

The Company was then marched to G. W. Skeels’ Hotel, where an immense table was spread with the necessaries and luxuries of life, and there the soldiers, surrounded by their families and friends, spent one hour with joy and sadness mingled together. The procession was then formed by Nathaniel Walker, Marshal of the day, and proceeded to Cattaraugus Station in readiness for the train. The procession numbered 138 teams well loaded. After bidding them farewell, we returned to our homes, and are now recruiting more soldiers for this Company. W. E. H.

September 11, 2015 by John Scarano, CAMP Webmaster

Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP) has added a new page to their web site. The new page is entitiled “CAMP on Radio and TV”. The new page will be the home for all CAMP appearances on Radio and Television.

You may visit the content on the new page by clicking this link: CAMP on Radio and TV

September 4, 2015 by John Scarano, CAMP Webmaster 

Representatives from Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP), the Clinton Brown Company Architecture, PC and the Landmark Society of Western New York (LSNWY) made separate presentations detailing the  preservation plan for the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building. The presentations were made before the regular meeting of the Cattaraugus County Public Works committee on September 2, 2015 at 4 PM at the county complex in Little Valley, NY.

CAMP member, Jim Ried, spoke to the committee members first and gave a Power Point presentation. He implored the committee members to change their decision to demolish the Memorial building “because it’s the right thing to do.” He gave a brief prelude to topics that were to be discussed in more detail by the representatives of the Clinton Brown Company Architecture, PC and the Landmark Society of Western New York.

Larry Francer, Associate Director at LSWNY followed Mr. Ried and assured the committee members that his organization fully supported CAMP’s preservation efforts. Very quickly, Mr. Fancer dispelled the belief that there was a viable reverter clause on the property deed where the Memorial Building currently stands. He also stated that LSNWY would be willing to take a purchase option on the property while they attempted to find a buyer for the Memorial Building.

Next, Clinton Brown, President of the Clinton Brown Company Architecture, PC, presented the Memorial Building feasibility report that was prepared by his firm. He assured the committee members that the Memorial Building was an excellent candidate for renovation and preservation. His report pointed out that the roof must be replaced as soon as possible to prevent serious water damage to the building. And he also stated that the renovation of the building could be done at a reasonable cost that was somewhere between $500,000 and $750,000.

Please see the Olean Times-Herald article on CAMP’s web site for more details: Lawmakers’ Support Rises for Memorial Building Preservation

September 01, 2015 by John Scarano, CAMP Web Master

Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP) will present a plan to preserve the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building in Little Valley, NY on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the regular meeting of the Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works (DPW) committee. The Cattaruagus County legislature has voted to demolish the building.

The preservation plan was developed for CAMP by the Clinton Brown Company, a Buffalo architectural preservation firm located in Buffalo, NY. The cost for the development of the plan was paid by CAMP with funds received from a grant by the Landmark Society of Western New York and from private donations.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting that will be held in the County Complex on Court Street in Little Valley. The DPW committee meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 PM.

You can read the Olean Times-Herald article on the subject here: CAMP to Present Preservation Plan

8-27-15, by John Scarano, CAMP Webmaster

Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP) received additional and significant support from 2,000 Cattaraugus County American Legion members during a regular meeting of the county legislators in Little Valley on Wednesday, August 26, 2015.

The additional support came in the form of a letter addressed to the county legislative chairman that came from American Legion County Commander, George Filgrove. The letter was read into the county meeting minutes by American Legion representative, John Sampson, in front of all attending legislators, CAMP Chairman, Thomas Stetz and CAMP member, Gail Bellamy.

Mr. Sampson’s delivery was well-punctuated by his organization’s obvious passion for the preservation of the Cattaruagus County Memorial and Historical building located on Court Street across from the county complex in Little Valley, New York.

Please see the Olean Times-Herald article that covers the delivery of Mr. Sampson’s speech on our web site at: Memorial Building in the News

A copy of the letter that was addressed to Legislative Chairman, Norman Marsh, appears below:

(Click Image to Enlarge)

This 2015 Cattaraugus County Fair note comes from our CAMP Chairman who attended the CAMP fair booth every day from August 3rd to August 9th, 2015:

“I was at the CAMP Exhibit/informational table everyday of the 2015 Cattaraugus County Fair, Aug. 3-9. Information about CAMP’S preservation and restoration efforts for the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building, located at the corner of Court and 7th streets in the Village of Little Valley, NY was made available to Fair goers from 10 am to 10 pm each day of the Fair. The following CAMPERS worked the booth at different times during the Fair: Tom Stetz, Mark & Annette Dunkelman, Juanita & Jim Ried, Cyndy Whited, Warren Patterson, John Stengel, Nancy Bargar, Gretchen Gaede, Clark Casler, Gail Bellamy, Rosemary Carvella, Deb Everts, Doug Wilson, and Tom & Johnathan Place.

CAMPERS handed out brochures and talked to Fair goers about the History and present status of the endangered Civil War Memorial and the County’s plans for its demolition. I talked with many Cattaraugus County residents as well as many people from other counties, states and even Canada who were at the Fair spending their money in Cattaraugus County. Most were unaware of the County’s plans for demolition of the Memorial building and almost everyone expressed disbelief that the County was considering demolition and asked WHY. I had no answer for their WHY and most stated that our history needs to be preserved. Almost 700 people signed petition sheets in favor of Cattaraugus County preserving the Memorial.

Fair goers offered suggestions for future use of the Memorial Complex Area, volunteered their help in areas that they were experienced and made monetary donations towards CAMP’S efforts.

When people found out that the Memorial was just 2 blocks from the Fairgrounds, many asked about touring the Memorial. I had to tell them that the Memorial was not open to the public at this time. I then asked them if they would return to Little Valley to visit a restored Memorial in the future and most replied YES. This was the response from most people even beyond Cattaraugus County, meaning people outside of Cattaraugus County would be willing to spend time and money in Cattaraugus County with a visit to a preserved Civil War Memorial in Little Valley. I call that tourism and economic development.

My best experiences of the Fair came one afternoon when a young girl about 13 stopped by and talked for about 1/2 hour. She was from Fairport, NY and was visiting her grandparents who live in Little Valley, as she does every summer at Fair time. She talked, acted and dressed much older than 13 and expressed her interest in history and preserving it, especially that connected to the Civil War time period. She said she was “into the fashion of that time period” and enjoyed making period clothes and was trying to connect with a “living history group” to live her passion. Talking to her made my day and I did not think anyone could top her enthusiasm for history but I was wrong. About an hour later, two young cousins about the age of 10 stopped by, one girl and one boy. They leaned on the table with their elbows and started firing questions at me about the exhibit and why I was there. I couldn’t answer their questions before they asked several more and they were all excellent questions and questions I did not expect from such young kids. They both lived in Little Valley and knew where the Memorial was located and walk by it many times but really did not know anything about it. Between questions they were kidding with each other and having a great day. When they ran out of questions, they both reached into their pockets and emptied them onto the table and then each picked up a dollar and started to put them into the donation chest. I told them they did not have to make a donation but could just sign our support petition. They both said NO, stuffed their dollars into the chest, signed the petition and said history is important, good luck and ran off. I hope there are more kids like these three, we just have to reach them. They made my FAIR WEEK.

Tom Stetz, Allegany, NY “

Another note from a CAMP member who manned the CAMP booth at the 2015 Cattaraugus County Fair:

“Plenty of visitors to the Cattaraugus County Fair passed by CAMP’s table without giving it a glance. But of those who stopped to look at the displays and engaged in conversation, virtually all were moved to sign our petition. Some folks were aware that the Memorial and Historical Building is endangered; others were not. Some were Cattaraugus County residents; others were not. I asked all of them to sign the petition, regardless of where they live. We have heard that much of the opposition to the County’s plan to demolish the Memorial comes from outsiders—people who live elsewhere than Cattaraugus County.To me, that fact demonstrates that the fate of the Memorial transcends the County’s boundaries, that its preservation is more than a strictly local issue.

Many visitors of a certain age fondly remembered when the Memorial housed the County Historical Museum and—going back even further—the Village of Little Valley Library. Many expressed hope that the Memorial will once again serve a useful purpose in its choice location in the County seat.

Mark Dunkelman, Providence, RI”

CAMP Historian, Mark Dunkelman, discusses details about the Memorial Building Dedication photo with Annette Dunkelman, Deb Everts and Clark Casler.

Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation, CAMP, manned a booth at the 2015 Cattaraugus County Fair from August 3rd to August 9th. Their goal was to reach as many fair-goers as possible in order to make them aware of the planned demolition of the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building in Little Valley, NY.  The following is a reflection of one CAMP volunteer’s experience at the fair booth:

“My experience at the Catt. Co. Fair was very positive. It was easy to ask folks to sign the petition if they wanted to see the Memorial saved.  Many were unaware that it may be demolished and offered memories of visiting it, borrowing books and holding a gun that was used in the war. There was a disbelief that it would be gone. 

I met Sharon Fellowes, who keeps the artifacts safe in Machias, and Legislator Ms. Vickerman and Legislator candidate, Mr. Boberg, who were patient with my reasons for wanting to keep this historical gem in Little Valley. Twice my blank sheets were taken by residents to get signatures for me.

The other volunteers were a joy to work with and the whole week was perfect weather.  A great deal of interest in our booth and also support for the cause.

Each time I was there, I drove past the Memorial standing proudly on its corner next to the park. Somehow it reminded me of an old soldier standing at full attention with uniform slightly tattered, but extremely proud to still be there. Perhaps someday we can see it put to good use again with maybe for veterans finding a place of information, assistance and comrades to talk to, read and have a cup of coffee.

The family of Gary Waid, who was a collector of Civil War books, magazines and a large puzzle gave me his collection and I am in the process of getting book plates in his memory. It would be great to have a reading room for the veterans and a place to hang out.   There must be many things this proud building could be used for if given half a chance.

Gail Bellamy, Frewsburg, NY”

I will post fair comments from CAMP Members separately as they come in!   John Scarano, CAMP Web Master 

The 30th Annual Reunion of Descendants of the 154th New York will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at the Rigas Theater of the Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. The reunion will also mark the formal inauguration of the Mark H. Dunkelman and Michael J. Winey Collection of the 154th New York at the university.

The reunion program will focus on the events of 1865, with readings by descendants of letters describing the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. and reflecting on the end of the war, and Col. Lewis D. Warner’s farewell address to the regiment. The evolution of the Dunkelman and Winey Collection will also be summarized. Special exhibits of regimental artifacts will be displayed in the Quick Center galleries and the Friedsam Memorial Library.

Following the reunion, a panel of Civil War historians will discuss “Looking Back at the War” in the Rigas Theater. All of those events are free and open to the public. A dinner and concert by Rush the Growler (performing songs relating to the 154th Regiment) will be held in the evening. Tickets for the dinner and concert are $30, and registration and prepayment are necessary. For information: http://www.sbu.edu/154threunion