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
GRANT OR LOAN
APPLICATION – SUBMITTED
$2500 AWARD
GIVEN
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,
/ 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
We believe we can expand on such experiences and help
promote an awareness and appreciation of UU history in the
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
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
/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
/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
/resume.html for Hiemstra’s resume showing relevant
work experience. In addition, see
/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
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
/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
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
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 (
Food
(3 meals) for 3 people during travel (
Mileage
(
Handout
material at 2 workshops (includes
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
/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
Florida
Tracy talked with fondness about the wonderful work of the Women’s
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
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
3. (
Horace
Mann,
Just
a bit more about Sam. When he was beginning his ministerial work in
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
4. (
Another
endeavor was his interest in the sun and sun spots. Using a telescope, he
studied the sun for many years and began forecasting the weather based on his
growing knowledge. The local
On
another note, Janet and I had a great time visiting Hank and Sally Manwell in
their
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
5. (
Our 4th
minister, Rev. John Applebee (1911-1929), was very active in the
Rev. Robert Romig
(1941-1946), our 6th minister, was not only respected as an
effective church leader, he also stepped up during WWII to serve on the United
War Fund that raised funds for the USO, War Prisoners' Aid, Seamen's Service,
and various foreign relief agencies. Our 7th minister, Rev. Glenn
Canfield (1946-1952), was active in the NAACP during his May Memorial ministry.
He also chaired a Syracuse Council of Churches housing committee to improve
living conditions for black residents. Our 8th minister, Rev. Robert
Zoerheide (1952-1961), also served on the board of NAACP and supported civil
rights and better housing efforts. He was instrumental, too, in convincing our
congregation to support the Unitarian and Universalist merger. Our 9th
minister, Rev. John Fuller (1961-1973), was very active in social action
activities within the community, including the Civil Rights struggle and the
anti-Vietnam War effort. He also counseled conscientious objectors and women
seeking legal abortions outside of
Rev. Nick Cardell
(1974-1995), our 10th minister, served as Chairperson of the Planned
Parenthood board during the 1970s. He also protested the School of the Americas
(SOA) at
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
6. (
There
have been many pieces in this column written about Sam May, but there is so
much information pertaining to our namesake that can be shared. Thus, here is
another piece. As many already know, Sam grew up in a fairly privileged home.
He had eleven siblings but, as was often the case in the 19th
Century, eight died as youths or as young adults. Only one sister and brother
lived beyond their mid 30s. Sam therefore had many opportunities in terms of
education, obtaining private schooling as a young person and then two Harvard
degrees, including graduation from divinity school. The circles in which he was
able to travel meant that he knew people like William Ellery Channing, Horace
Mann, and Daniel Webster. Later in life he became friends with notables such as
Susan B. Anthony, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Garrit Smith, and William Lloyd Garrison
(publisher of the anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator).
He
had many interesting relatives, too. One relative in the 17th
Century published a history of the English Parliament. On his mother’s side a
great grandfather was minister of Boston’s Old South Church, another relative
wrote the first anti-slavery book in 1700 (The Selling of Joseph),
great-aunt, Dorothy, married John Hancock, and great grandfather Chief Justice
Joseph Sewell of Salem, was the first official to expose the Salem witchcraft
delusions. His father, Joseph (a successful businessman who would have become a
minister had not the Revolutionary War intervened), was a long-time Warden (lay
leader, often involved in day-to-day church operation) and ardent supporter of
King’s Chapel in
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
7. (
Quite
early Rev. Bourgeois said, “our greatest enemy is ignorance.” Sam May is
remembered for his important work in abolition and his foundational efforts in
the eventual repealing of the dreaded Fugitive Slave Act. However, what many
don’t know is that Sam overcame some initial ignorance about slavery to reach
these crucial efforts. Sam preached his
first sermon on the evils of slavery in
It
was William Lloyd Garrison who helped Sam overcome his ignorance about the
injustice of the Colonization Society’s approach. After hearing an October 15,
1830, speech by Garrison, Sam and others talked for hours with him and Sam had
what he later called his “
There
have been many others in May Memorial’s history that followed Father Bourgeois’
words, “the truth cannot be silenced.” Think of the three past MMUUS ministers
who marched in support of Civil Rights (Cardell, Fuller, and Papandrew). Think
of Lilian Reiner’s relentless pursuit of eliminating the death penalty. Think
of the courageous church leaders who turned MMUUS into a safe haven for El
Salvadorian refugees, even at the risk of criminal prosecution had the government
decided to pursue such action. Think of the current Thursday morning church
members who are creating such history by holding vigil against the
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
8.
(4/14/07) The story of Sam May and Prudence Crandall,
a Quaker, is a forerunner of his advocacy both for education and abolition
while in Syracuse. Prudence opened a Female Boarding School in 1833 in
Canterbury, CT, near Brooklyn, CT, Sam's first ministry. Within a few weeks
Prudence enrolled Sarah Harris, daughter of a black farmer. The entire village
soon was in an uproar and several leaders demanded she dismiss Sarah. She
courageously refused and community members began pulling out their children.
Sam heard about it and wrote Sarah offering to help in any way he could.
She found solace
and courage in his encouragement, making it known her school would be opened to
"young ladies and little misses of color." The community's uproar
became even more intense and she wrote to Sam requesting assistance. He quickly
came to Canterbury and found much about which to be concerned. He returned to
Brooklyn and rallied others to provide her support. She asked Sam and Calvin
Philleo, who later became her husband, to represent her as attorneys at a
Canterbury town meeting. Sam and Calvin were vilified there and even physically
threatened.
Prudence
eventually had several black students, but there was much harassment by
community members, including physical damage to the school and her home. The
Connecticut state legislature even enacted a "Black Law" which forbid
the establishment of any black school unless approved by school district
voters. However, Prudence kept her school open, was then arrested, and jailed.
She was brought to trial in August, 1833, and the state's Supreme Court
eventually overturned a sentence. Unfortunately, the community continued
tormenting Prudence and the students, almost succeeding in burning down the
school. Prudence finally closed it out of fear for their safety. Sam May was
the one to tell students the school was closing and later stated how much agony
he felt: "I felt ashamed of Canterbury, ashamed of Connecticut, ashamed of
my country, ashamed of my color." This all is a sad reminder of how little
we have changed during the past 175 years.
Three quick
notes: (a) Photos of Sam and Lucretia May's headstones are at http://www.mmuus.org/who-we
Rog
Hiemstra, Archivist
9. (5/3/07) I was delighted a
few months ago to discover in our archives an 83 page manuscript written in
1939 by Edith Calthrop Bump, Rev. Sam Calthrop's daughter. It is a biography of
Sam's early years, including when he lived in England and then into his first
several years in the U.S. Edith donated it to our archives where it has
languished for these past several decades. Lyn Coyle recently volunteered to
word process it and I added numerous links so that it now serves as a way of
getting to know Sam better, but at the same time provides an historical journey
through England and the United States for several decades beginning in 1829.
This delightful read is at
For example, read about his very early years,
including his time at a boarding school. Gain some insight into why he became
such an incredible thinker, how he developed an interest in science, and the
process by which he became such a talented athlete. Read about his skill
development as a chess player, including descriptions of how he defeated
several older opponents. Experience his growing skills as a teacher.
In terms of this web page as a history guide, see how
he came to know William Henry Waddington, a school mate, who eventually became
a French Prime Minister. Learn when Robert E. Lee asked him to teach West Point
cadets how to play cricket. Enjoy the first time he met such notables as Ralph
Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Julia Ward Howe. He even preached for
several months in Theodore Parker's (a famous early Unitarian minister) church
in Boston before coming to Syracuse. An enjoyable chapter is Edith's
description of how her father invented and patented the "Air Resisting
Train."
Another delightful experience (archivists have all the
fun) was discovering in our archives several weeks ago a 380 page unpublished
manuscript that is a biography of Sam May. Authored by Professor W. Freeman
Galpin (a long-time SU history professor until his death in 1963), it provides a
wonderful new glimpse into Rev. May's life. I gained a much deeper
understanding of Sam by reading it. The good news is that it can soon be shared
with everyone. I obtained permission from his daughter to include it on our web
page. I've word processed the first chapter and placed it on the web to give
you a sneak preview:
10. (6/4/07) Several
things came together compelling this article: (a) Feeling so gladdened by Paul
Darmody-Latham's safe return from Afghanistan; (b) hearing John's powerful
Memorial Day sermon; (c) our weekly anti-war vigiling efforts; (d) viewing The
Ground Truth, about the struggles many U.S. men and women face after
returning from Iraq; and (e) thinking about Michael and Mariah Dillon's
daughter currently in the military as we all hope she stays out of harm's way.
The angst many
of us feel about war, patriotism, and political wrangling is real, but
not new in our church history. Sam May experienced much personal conflict
throughout life regarding people's suffering because of war, slavery, gender
discrimination, and many other issues. He was especially torn as the Civil War
approached. Sam felt deeply that war was a sin but also believed that any peace
built on continuing slavery was a bigger sin. From his diary in July, 1862:
"Nothing but slavery seems to be so bad as war." He finally came to
the agonizing decision that the war must be fought to end slavery.
This type of
agonizing has existed for May Memorial parishioners and leaders for decades.
Several of our past church members served in the military, with many
war-related deaths in World Wars I and II. Rev. John Applebee (minister from
1911-1929) so agonized over WWI that he received a leave of absence to work
with the Red Cross overseas for several months. Rev. Nick Cardell (minister
from 1974-1995) was a prisoner-of-war during the second world war. Nick
Cardell, Dan and Doris Sage, and others in the Syracuse community even served
prison time after protesting this government's training of South American
military leaders who, in turn, brutally suppress people in their own country.
It is, of
course, naïve to assume that such agonizing will ever cease. Our inability to
get along with others seems a constant, and new generations usually repeat the
errors of the past. Perhaps the cries for peace, justice, and good will that
reach us down through the history of May Memorial will sustain us in our own
efforts to work together even more successfully through our new Covenant of
Right Relations.
Ending on a
brighter note, June Card was pleasantly surprised in leafing through 1947
Beacon Press The Church Across the Street by Reginald Manwell and Sophia
Fahs to find a photo (p. 285) of the minister in the church where she attended
as a young person. He also came out of retirement to officiate at her wedding
to Howard. Finally, two new web page tributes are available: one to Sam May at
11.
(7/16/07) I've recently read what has been on my
"to do" list for some time, a sermon preached by Sam May to our
predecessors on Sunday, September 15, 1867. By my reckoning, it must have been
nearly two hours in length, but, wow, was it revealing. Entitled "A
Discourse," it turned out to be Rev. May's resignation sermon. It no doubt
caught many parishioners by surprise, but the energy, compassion, and
retrospective insights he packed into what was eventually labeled as "A
Brief Account of His Ministry," must have kept the audience captivated
throughout.
Fortunately,
as often happened during that time period, a power packed sermon deemed worthy
of historical capture immediately resulted in several church leaders formally
requesting by letter that Rev. May make his copy available. Then a group placed
his hand written message into a publishable form and disseminated it. A copy
survived and was included with Sam's papers donated to Cornell University after
his death. You can read this fascinating account of his life as a minister at http://dlxs.library.cornell
Read about Sam's
views on the rise of Unitarianism, how he became involved with abolition,
education, intemperance, Native American conditions, pacifism, the deplorable
conditions of "canal boys" and other orphans, and women's rights. Sam
was revered throughout his life and after his death as a person consistent in
his beliefs and one who truly lived by a firm mental and moral discipline. He
was referred to by many as God's Chore boy and reading this discourse you
really come to understand why. I heartily recommend this moving sermon and am
confident you will obtain a greater understanding of our namesake. (The
biography of Sam entitled God's Chore Boy, by W. Freeman Galpin, is
being added to in the simulation web page as chapters are typed. It, too, makes
for great reading:
Finally, the
History Committee will be coordinating the Sunday Service on August 12. We'll
take a walk down memory lane regarding our past church buildings with slides,
narration, and reflections by several church members who were part of our
church community bridging across the former James St. church to our current
site. We hope you can join us. Immediately following the service there will be
a formal dedication of permanent photos of our past ministers in the Memorial
Room. Join us there, too.
12. (8/19/07)
Harsey Leonard and I, assisted by other History Committee members conducted the
August 12 Sunday Service (see /aug12oos.pdf
for the Order of Service). Slide shows supplemented the “sermon” presentations
(see /churchbuildings.pdf)
as well as a handout (see /buildinghistory.pdf).
We were gratified by a large summer attendance and appreciated the support of
Doug Aird, Malcolm Clark, Hank Manwell, and Al Obrist as they shared some
memories. This was followed by a dedication service for our past ministers’
photos now hanging in a permanent “memories” display on the east wall of the
Memorial Room. See /dedicationprogram.pdf
to examine the related material and see the photos when next you are in church.
A few weeks ago I learned that the SU
Special Collections had purchased 12 letters (eight by Sam May), written
1852-1858, on Sam’s efforts to develop a school for youth on the Onondaga
Reservation. Reading them was enjoyable and I’d recommend the experience. See /sammayletters.pdf for more information. About the same time
President Fred Fiske shared with me a new Beacon Press book. Titled Beacon Press and the Pentagon Papers, it
is a fairly quick read but excellent discussion of Beacon Press’ courageous
decision to publish the Pentagon Papers in the early 1970s and the legal
entanglements that followed. The book is chilling in many ways and as one
reviewer noted, it is a message for our own time.
I was recently doing research on Sam
Calthrop and came across a fascinating description of him in The Craftsman, an October, 1905,
publication by Gustov Stickley. It is
worth examining just to see the neat ads of Stickley furniture. You can read it
at http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/DLDecArts/DLDecArts-idx?id=DLDecArts.hdv09n01
.
Finally, here is a bit of MMUUS
history trivia. Why did Rev. W. W. W. Argow have so many names? He was a fifth
generation minister and his parents may have expected he, too, would go into the
ministry. His first name, Wendelin, was for the father of Transcendental
philosophy, German scholar Wendelin Meyer. The second name, Waldemar, was for
the bishop of West Goths, who in 390 A.D. brought Christianity to the pagans of
the Teutonic woods. His third name, Weiland, stood for the father of
spiritualistic or idealistic poetry as noted in our early church history, A Backward Glance O’er Traveled Roads.
Rog Hiemstra, Archivist
13. (9/05/07) Janet and I recently visited the John Brown farm and grave
in North Alba, New York (http://www.nyhistory.com/gerritsmith/nelba.htm), near
the Lake Placid Olympic ski jumping complex. We are both reading Russell Bank’s
Cloudsplitter, a recounting of
abolitionist John Brown’s life, including the legendary raid on the Harpers
Ferry armory, so the visit seemed appropriate. It was a wonderful experience
and I highly recommend both the visit and the book.
We had a wonderful guide, whose great,
great grandmother helped John’s wife, Mary Ann, when John was gone because of
his abolitionist activities. The guide provided an excellent tour of the home
and regaled us with many facts and stories. It was clear that Mary Ann, like
many spouses of abolitionists, had to carry a very heavy load just to keep the
family afloat, as John was away from home more than he was there. John’s death,
as well of the deaths of several sons during the raid, was a tremendous blow to
be endured throughout the remainder of her life.
It reminded me of the huge load
Lucretia May had to carry when Sam was so heavily involved in abolitionist
activities and away from his family for many weeks at a time. In one letter
Lucretia said, “I have counted the days and shall begin to count the hours till
your longed for return; don’t disappoint us, but come, come speedily to warm
hearts if not wise heads.” A more telling lament was in a later letter: “You
have been gone four weeks tomorrow and perhaps are beginning to be weaned from
us. I should not be at all surprised if you were, you must have so much more
peace and quietness than when subjected to the . . . interruptions caused by
wife and children. But my greater wonder is that we ever marry at all,
especially those who intend to be world reformers and pass their time at a
distance from the families. It would seem to me more wise and more judicious as
well as more kind to avoid such entanglements and such burdens altogether.”
Wow! (See /galpin-may.html for more insight into Sam
and Lucretia’s lives.)
No doubt John Brown, Sam May, and the
many others who chose to be away from family for long stretches of time thought
about what was being left behind and lamented, too, about the sacrifices.
Obviously, this still happens today and those of us fortunate enough to be able
to spend quality time with family can count our blessings.
Rog Hiemstra, Archivist
14. (9/20/07)
MMUUS will host
the Samuel Calthrop Chess Championship on December 1
(http://www.mmuus.org/news&events/samuel-calthrop-chess-championship.html).
It is a chance for us to showcase Rev. Calthrop and an opportunity for chess
players in the area to become acquainted with our church. Perhaps some readers
of this newsletter will consider participating. At Anton Ninno’s urging, I
developed an informational piece for the media and any others who may want to
know more. Here are some of the highlights.
Our
beloved minister for 43 years, the longest pastorate in our history and one of
the longest in the history of Unitarianism, Sam made many contributions to
Syracuse. He started the Syracuse Boy’s Club and gave lectures and offered
classes to church members as well as others on a wide range of subjects, including
botany, philosophy, poetry, geology, and astronomy. His skill in predicting the
weather by studying sun spots led Syracuse newspapers to rely on his forecasts.
He even grew the first tomatoes ever shown at the State Fair.
Rev.
Calthrop was a gifted athlete, too, excelling in numerous sports during his
lifetime, including billiards, cricket, crew, tennis, rugby, and boxing. He
made local news when one night he discovered a prowler in his house and dropped
the poor man to the floor with a left to the chin. When he awoke, the burglar
found the police ready to take him to jail. Sam Calthrop’s athletic prowess
made him much desired as the person to teach others and during his time in the
U.S. he coached crew teams for Yale, Cornell, and Syracuse Universities. He
also coached the West Point cadet cricket team.
One
of his biggest loves, however, was chess. Having learned as a youngster, he
grew in skill and began playing some of England’s best in his teens. He
continued his passion for chess in the U.S. He was one of 16 players invited to
the first American Chess Congress held in New York City in 1857. After moving
to Syracuse he accomplished more chess feats, winning the New York State
Championship in 1880 and 1883. When
chess genius Harry N. Pillsbury once played ten simultaneous games of chess
while blindfolded, his only loss was to Sam Calthrop. Sam, too, loved to play
blindfolded and also play several games simultaneous. Among Syracuse friends
with whom he played regularly were a rabbi, priest, and Presbyterian minister.
Ah, Sam, our ecumenical pastor.
Rog Hiemstra, Archivist
15. (10-3-07) I could write every newsletter article about Sam May for years
to come and only begin to scratch the surface of his complexity. I anticipate
that in many ways he thought of himself as no one unusual, just committed to
things in which he believed. But, oh, there were so many things! In this
article I provide a brief chronology of just his first three years in Syracuse
where only a few of his many activities, endeavors, and interests give some
insight into his varied life.
·
1845: April,
arrives in Syracuse; July, delivers a speech on the evils of war; July, delivers
a principal address at the Sons of Temperance celebration; October, among 170
Unitarian ministers to sign a protest to American Slavery; November, preaches a
sermon in our church on what will become his famous “Rights and Conditions of
Women” (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?naw:3:./temp/~ammem_33Hy::)
·
1846: June 1,
writes an anti-war (Mexican-American war) letter to be published in the Syracuse Star and is publically called a
traitor by the editor; June 18, petition of protest in Syracuse Star has 110 names (including many from our church); June
24, Sam’s letter appear in the Star;
August, delivers a lecture “The Education of the Faculties and Proper
Employment of Young Children” (it is published the following year); chosen a
member of the Board of Managers of the State Temperance Society
·
1847: August,
present at the founding of the Free Soil party (opposed to an extension of
slavery into the U.S. territories newly acquired from Mexico) in Buffalo;
September, Sam May and Frederick Douglas are leading speakers in a Syracuse
abolition meeting; September, Sam attends the Syracuse meeting of the Liberty
Party (anti-slavery in focus) and is selected as a delegate to the national
meeting.
Sam also was devoted to our church and seldom missed a
Sunday service. He also found the time and means to minister to his “flock,”
even though he frequently had to travel within New York and beyond. No doubt
his time with his family was not what he wanted it to be, but Lucretia bravely
kept the home fires burning. What little time he could spend with her and his
children was precious indeed as he noted in his diary and in letters home.
For those who want more insight into his hectic but important
life, and he kept up the pace hinted at above throughout his adult years, here
are some selected web sites:
Heretic in Syracuse (http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/may-heretic-in-syracuse.html);
Saint Before His Time (http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/covert-may-thesis.html);
and God’s Chore Boy (/galpin-may.html).
Rog Hiemstra, Archivist
Document 3
Report for Ministerial Candidate Jean
Wahlstrom
Meeting With Her on April 18
Although considerable MMUUS historical preservation
activities took place from the late 1800s through the mid-1990s, most
activities stopped by 1998. Current activities did not begin in earnest until
early in 2006 when Rog Hiemstra began work as volunteer church archivist. A
History Committee was then formed in the spring of 2006. Thus, this report
represents the involvement of Rog, History Committee members, and a few others
since then. An ongoing portrayal of many of the related activities can be found
at /archives2005-2006.html
and /archives2007.html.
New York State Convention of
Universalists (NYSCU)
Two one-year NYSCU
proposals for funding to assist with our preservation activities have been
approved, one for $3200 in February, 2006, and one for $2500 in February, 2007.
These grants’ primary objectives have been to better preserve material stored
at MMUUS, prepare additional material for submission to Syracuse University
(consider archival material is already there), develop procedures for future
collection and preservation of historical material, repair and mount the Sam
May marble tablet, mount several permanent history displays at MMUUS, and share
our growing expertise about church history.
History Committee
A history committee
(George Adams, June Card, Mary Louise Edwards, Rog Hiemstra, Verah Johnson, and
Harsey Leonard) meets at least twice a year. We have carried out various activities
as described below:
Preservations
Activities. Most historical material
has been moved to the basement computer room with additional material
identified for a move to this location. Much of it is in locked file cabinets,
but space is a problem. Inventorying, organizational, preservation, oral
history, and digitization actions are underway.
Web Page
Efforts. Rog has completed a web page
on Sam May (http://www.mmuus.org/ who-we-are/history/sjmay.html), other
material for the church web page, and material that will soon migrate to the
church web page: http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/ministers.html,
http://www.mmuus.org/ who-we-are/history/church-buildings.html, and
/simulationpage.html.
Improving
Awareness. A number of activities
have been carried out to enhance awareness of MMUUS’ interesting history, such
as a regular newsletter column, periodic Social Hall displays, information
about past MMUUS presidents and annual award winners, and occasional
presentations within the St. Lawrence District regarding MMUUS’ history.
Planned Activities
Based on the current
NYSCU grant and History Committee planning actions, the following are in
process:
Past
Minister Photo Display. A task force
(Joan Applebaum, Bob Burdick, Bob Coye, Rog Hiemstra, and Linda Wobus) worked
with the Buildings and Grounds Committee to secure a place within the Memorial
Room for a permanent photo display of past ministers to be completed before the
2007-2008 church year begins. This will include a plaque listing past church
leaders (Associate Ministers, Music Directors, Religious Education Directors,
etc.).
Past Church
Presidents and Award Winners Display. Plaques
showing past MMUUS presidents and the various award winners also will be
displayed in the Memorial Room (the Mary Lib Whitney Award for Special
Contributions to Religious Education may be displayed outside the Religious
Education Director’s Office), hopefully before the 2007-2008 church year
begins.
Permanent History Display Case. A glass enclosed and
lockable display case will be mounted on the south wall of the north hallway
leading to the Social Hall (in the
vicinity of the drinking fountain). Displays of historical material and
memorabilia will be changed at least four times each year.
Preservation Workshop. Members of the History
Committee will offer two one-day workshops on preservation, promotion, and
display of historical material to interested church members and leaders within
the St. Lawrence District. These workshops will be conducted on Saturdays in
the fall.
Document 4
History Committee Agenda – Spring Meeting
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
7-9:30 p.m.
Teen Room, Main Floor
1. Welcoming our guest, Alexa Carter
2. Demonstration of the new projector
3. Status report on hanging the minister photos
4. Update on web page additions
5. Budget status report
6. Annual report – feedback needed (due May 15)
7. Social hall display in June – suggestions needed
8. Converting microfilm to a digital format – Harsey Leonard
9. Women’s luncheon, May 19 – status report and planning
10. People who wish to volunteer:
Rich Applebaum – scanning documents to
DVDs and PDF files
Gerry Berkman – interviewing long term
members
Alexa Carter – processing/preserving
Ike Loveridge-Sambonmatsu –
inventorying
Gary Sanford – scanning documents to
DVDs
11. Interviewing long-term/past members
12. Historical material currently stored in church office – George
Adams
13. Policy statement needed for preserving current documents
14. Upcoming work activities:
Display case
Plaque on past leaders
Plaque on award winners
Plaque on Sam May tablet
15. Fall workshops (advertisement, mailings,
preparation, dates, etc.)
16. Other items as appropriate
History Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 7-9:30 p.m., Teen Room
1.
We were pleased to welcome Alexa Carter who has joined the committee. She was
given a set of keys and a round of applause.
2.
Rog demonstrated the new VGA projector by practicing with the PPT presentation
he will make at the Women's Luncheon this coming Saturday. Harsey Leonard
brought in his own screen to see if it would also be appropriate for Saturday.
3.
Rog gave a report on the status of the project to hang past ministers' photos.
He had met with Bob Coye in the Memorial room on Monday to go over the plan
that Bob and Joan Applebaum had developed. He also had talked with Mariah
Dillon on Tuesday to obtain her approval of the plan and steps. Rog has an
appointment with Bruce Macbeth on Thursday to seek a quote from him for doing
the track lighting. Mariah has said she can contribute up to $200 from the
Buildings and Grounds Committee to help complete the project, with a completion
date expected prior to July 1. After some discussion, the History Committee
said to move forward. Rog will view the photos created by Bob Burdick on
Thursday.
4.
Rog presented an update on the recent web page additions he has completed. See
Attachment A.
5.
Rog presented a budget status report. See Attachment B.
6.
Rog presented a draft of the Annual Report. Some improvement suggestions were
made. See Attachment C for the final version submitted to Karen.
7.
Rog mentioned that there would be a History Committee display in the Social
Hall after church on June 3 and asked that any suggestions for the display be
communicated to him.
8.
Harsey talked about what Rev. Ken Mochel from the Auburn UU church had
accomplished in getting two microfilms with considerable historical information
related to that church placed on DVDs from an organization in Buffalo. It was
not inexpensive, some $300, but it is something we need to think about as a way
of preserving the two microfilms in our own archives.
9.
We talked a bit about the History Committee's presentation at the upcoming May
19 Women's Luncheon. Attachment D displays the tentative schedule.
10.
Rog talked about the people who have volunteered to assist us:
Rich Applebaum – scanning
documents to DVDs and PDF files – Rog to work with him
Gerry Berkman – interviewing
long term members – Mary Louise to train her
Ike Loveridge-Sambonmatsu
– inventorying – George to work with him
Gary Sanford – scanning
documents to DVDs – Rog to work with him
In
addition, Rog will provide the initial training of Alexa on processing and
preservation.
11.
Rog mentioned that he hoped to interview Frank Macomber and Helen Stringer as
part of our oral history project with long term members. Mary Louise mentioned
that she hoped to interview some additional people this summer. Verah Johnson
also volunteered to do some interviewing and Mary Louise will train her on
interviewing techniques and the use of the digital recorder. Mary Louise also
mentioned the need to keep a master list in Room 8 that keeps a running record
of those who have been interviewed. Rog will create such a list and post it on
a file cabinet drawer.
12.
George gave a report on his discussion with Karen and the type of historical
material (orders of service, newsletters, board minutes, etc.) stored in the
office. George will write up a statement summarizing what is there and we can
talk about what to do with these materials to ensure their preservation when we
develop the policy statement described in the next point.
13.
Rog reintroduced the need to develop a policy statement or guideline for the
preservation of archival material and procedures for officers and leaders of
the church in terms of routine saving of certain material. He noted that it
makes sense to have a draft of such a policy in place prior to the fall
workshops. Alexa wondered if the UUA might not have a template or some
guidelines already in place for saving historical material. Rog will come up
with an initial draft of a policy over the summer that the committee can
examine at our next History Committee meeting.
14.
Rog described several of the upcoming work activities:
a. A permanent history display case. Mariah Dillon will ask the B&G
committee to make decision on the best location at an upcoming B&G
Committee meeting. Harsey will look online to see what might be available for
purchase. George will search out some stores in the Syracuse area that sells
trophies to see if any of them would sell such display cases. The approximate
size of such a display case should be around 30-32 inches wide, 40-45 inches
tall, and about 3 inches deep with a lockable glass door. If an appropriate
display case cannot be found online or within the Syracuse community, then such
a case will need to be built. Up to $700 from the 2007 NYSCU grant has been set
aside for the case.
b. Plaques or picture frames for past MMUUS religious leaders, past presidents,
and annual award winners need to be purchased and installed on the east wall of
the Memorial Room near the ministers' photos. In addition, a plaque or picture
frame that will contain descriptive information about all the historical
material on that wall needs to be purchased and installed. It would be useful
to have all this done prior to the fall workshop. Alexa agreed to develop some
initial plans for them. Up to $600 from the NYSCU grant has been set aside for
this effort. If not all of those monies are needed, they can be used for point
c below.
c. A descriptive plaque to reside next to the Sam May marble tablet. The plaque
will contain information about the story of the plaque, repairs by Professor
DeRutte, etc. Rog agreed to develop some initial plans for this project.
15.
Rog reported that the first fall workshop in which History Committee members
provide training on the preservation and promotion of historical information to
interested church members from within the St. Lawrence District will be
Saturday, October 27. The Social Hall has been reserved for this workshop.
Harsey recommended that I also reserve the Memorial Room and the Teen Room in
case breakout room are needed (this was accomplished on the 16 th).
In working with Sue Tabone in the district office, it was recommended that the
Schenectady UU church be contacted as a site for a second workshop in early
November. That has been done and we are awaiting their decision in terms of
hosting such a workshop. Attachment E displays the tentative schedule for these
workshops. Committee members will be asked during the summer or early fall to
help with additional planning on these workshops.
Attachment A
Recent Web Page Additions
As of May 14, 2007
1.
Earliest known photo of Sam May, when he was Principal of the Normal School at
Lexington, MA, 1842-1844 (it is now referred to as Framingham State College and
Sam is known as their second president):
2.
The first chapter of God's Chore Boy: Samuel Joseph May , an unpublished
380 page biography of Sam written by SU History Professor, W. Freeman Galpin
(now deceased), in 1947. I found it in an archival box stored in the loft.
Permission was granted by his daughter, Harriet Galpin Hughes, for us to place
it on our web page:
3.
A pictorial description of the
marble tablet, its dedication, repair, and final resting place:
4.
A wonderful tribute to Sam May written about his death, funeral, and burial:
5.
An updated general description of
Sam Calthrop:
6.
The Boyhood of Rev. Samuel Robert
Calthrop, a biography compiled by his daughter, Edith Calthrop Bump, in
1939. She was a long time member of this church. This was another unpublished
manuscript donated to the church that was discovered in our archives:
7.
Photos of burial headstones for Sam
Calthrop and several family members, including Edith Bump:
Attachment B
History Committee 2007 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
1
Refill bottle of deacidification
spray
(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
1
HP Visioneer USB Flatbed
scanner
(E) 130.00
1
Viewsonic XGA
projector
(E) 600.00
595.00*
Build Two Additional History Display Areas
1
History
case
3
Wooden plaques w/name
plates
(D) 600.00
Share Knowledge Gained District Wide
Overnight
accommodations (3
people)
(T) 210.00**
Food
(3 meals for 3
people)
Mileage
(348 miles @ .36 per
mile)
(T) 120.00
Handout
material at 2
workshops
(T) 100.00
Promotional
material for
workshops
(T) 75.00
Other
Miscellaneous
expenses
Anticipated/Expected Income
NYSCU
Award
Donation
from Rog Hiemstra (speaking honorarium)
40.00
Left
over from 2006
grant
MMUUS
Annual Budgeted Amount (expected)
400.00
______________________
*
The actual cost was $895 for the projector and $30 for a tie down cable for a
total of $925. The grant paid $595, Social Justice paid $180, and Buildings and
Grounds paid $150.
**
This could be eliminated or reduced if host homes for facilitators can be
found.
***
The 2006 grant was for $3200, but $550, as of yet unspent, has been set aside
for hanging the ministers' photos.
****
If there is money left over, we might be able to purchase an extra digital
recorder if deemed necessary.
Attachment C
History Committee Annual Report
Committee
Members: George Adams, June Card, Alexa Carter, Mary Louise Edwards, Roger
Hiemstra (Chair), Harsey Leonard, and Verah Johnson
1. Marvelous
History Corner articles were published in every newsletter and a variety of
topics were covered. Many people have commented to a committee member about
their value to them.
2.
The History Committee met on three occasions.
3.
Various preservation and organizational activities have begun on paper and
media products. For example, digitization of both paper and media archival
material is ongoing. In addition, considerable more archival material has been
discovered and/or received and they now reside in Room 8 (basement).
4. A
digital recorder was purchased with NYSCU monies and four people have been
interviewed via oral history techniques with more planned in the future. In
addition, audio and video interviews of several people in past years have been
converted to a digitized format.
5.
Considerable new material has been added to the May Memorial web page, the Sam
May web page, and the off-site web page maintained by Rog Hiemstra. For
example, a manuscript on the younger years of Sam Calthrop written by his
daughter was recently added, and a biography of Sam May written by an SU
history professor several years ago is in the process of being added.
6. A
digital record of all History Committee activities is available on the Web:
7.
The Mary-Lib Whitney Award for Special Contributions to Religious Education was
updated and the plaque redone. It now resides outside Jennifer Hamlin-Navias'
door.
8.
Roger and Harsey presented on our preservation activities at the annual NYSCU
conference in Albany, October 8, 2006.
9.
The Sam May marble tablet was repaired by Professor Ron DeRutte, dedicated, and
mounted in December on the outside southwest wall facing the Pavilion.
10.
A second NYSCU proposal was submitted in December and $2500 was received to
continue our efforts during the 2007 calendar year. Such efforts include more
preservation activities, creating a permanent history display area, and sharing
the committee's growing knowledge pertaining to preservation with interested
SLD members in two Saturday workshops in the fall, 2007.
11.
A letter and resource guide related to our archives was mailed to all North
America seminaries that work with students interested in the UU ministry in the
hopes some students may be interested in doing related research papers or
projects. It is displayed at
12.
A proposal for a permanent display of photos of past ministers was approved and
is currently being designed. The display along with information on past church
religious leaders and award winners will be in the Memorial Room.
13.
Roger presented on Sam May during a Sunday service at the Auburn, NY, UU
church.
14.
A projector for connecting computers and other media to display digitized
information to a screen has been purchased.
Attachment D
Tentative Schedule for the Women's Luncheon May 19
Presentation
Opening
words – Rog – 3 minutes
Inventorying
work, efforts, and future activities – George – 4 minutes
Interviewing
long term members, current and future activities – Mary Louise – 4 minutes
Preservation
of paper products, current and future activities – Rog 4 minutes
Preservation
of media, current and future activities – Harsey – 4 minutes
PPT slide
show with the new projector on some activities and archive findings – Rog – 6 minutes
Q
& A – all presenters – 15 minutes
Attachment E
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
Document 5
Social Hall History Display
June 3, 2007
History Committee Activities and Plans – 2007
Committee Members: George Adams, June Card, Alexa Carter, Mary Louise Edwards,
Roger Hiemstra (Chair), Harsey Leonard, and Verah Johnson – Note: We are always looking for
additional committee members and for volunteers to help us with many of the
activities noted below.
Many activities have taken place since the current history committee
was formed in 2006. An ongoing portrayal of many related activities can be
found at (a) /archives2005-2006.html and at (b) /archives2007.html Some highlights are shown below:
1. New York State Convention of
Universalists (NYSCU) Grants - Two
one-year NYSCU proposals for funding to assist with our preservation activities
were approved, one in 2006 and one in 2007. These grants have enabled us to
better preserve material stored at MMUUS and other activities noted elsewhere.
2. Preservations Activities – We have many historical material stored in Room 8 of
the basement. We are carrying many related inventorying, organizational, paper
preservation, media preservation, oral history, and digitization actions.
3. Web Page Efforts – A web page on Sam May
(http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/sjmay.html) has been completed, as
well as many other related web material already on the church web page or on an
alternative web page (http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/ministers.html,
http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/church-buildings.html, and
/simulationpage.html).
4. Improving Awareness – We have carried out a number of activities to enhance
awareness of MMUUS’ interesting history, such as a regular newsletter column,
periodic Social Hall displays, information about past MMUUS presidents and
annual award winners, and occasional presentations within the St. Lawrence
District regarding MMUUS’ history.
5. Several future activities are planned
or underway –
·
Past minister photo display. A permanent photo display of past ministers will be
available in the Memorial Room before the beginning of the next church year, as
well as some related information (past church leaders, annual award winners,
etc.)
·
Continued preservation and web page development
efforts. Volunteers are always
welcome to assist with these efforts.
·
Permanent
history display case. A lockable, enclosed glass display case will be
mounted so periodic displays of
historical material and memorabilia can be shown.
·
Preservation
workshop. Members
of the History Committee will conduct two one-day workshops on preservation,
promotion, and display of historical material to interested church members and
leaders within the St. Lawrence District (one will be at MMUUS on October 27).
If you have any historical material, media, photos, or memorabilia, or
any books or other publications authored by MMUUS people, we would love to
receive them as donations.
References shown in the June 3, 2007, PowerPoint slide show:
·
http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/sjmay.html
·
/windows.html
Contact information for Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee:
·
Phone:
315.637.3527
·
Email:
rogerhiemstra@gmail.com
(This sheet was prepared May 31, 2007)
Document 6
Continued Web Page Enhancement
Two significant enhancements
to the simulation web page have been completed. One is a work in progress, an
unpublished biography of Sam May written by Dr. W. Freeman Galpin in 1947,
entitled God’s Chore Boy: Samuel Joseph
May. His daughter, Harriet Galpin Hughes, authorized its inclusion on the
web page. Volunteers are word processing the many chapters. It can be viewed at
/galpin-may.html The following bio on Dr Galpin can
be seen at /galpin.html
William Freeman Galpin, Ph.D.
Professor Galpin was born
in Ishpeming, Michigan,
the son of the Rev. and
Mrs. William Galpin. He
received a B.A. degree
from Northwestern
University in 1913, an
M.A. degree in history from
Northwestern in 1914, and
a Ph.D. from the
University of Pennsylvania
in 1917. He also was a
Yale Fellow from 1914 to
1915 and a Harrison
Fellow in 1926.
After teaching at several
universities, he served as
Chair of the history
department at Syracuse
University from 1948 to
1951, retiring from SU in
1956. Dr. Galpin was widely
known as an author
and historian. In 1927, he
received the coveted
Herbert Baxter Adams award
to the American Historical Society. He authored books on the history of
Syracuse University and Upstate New York.
Professor Galpin was
active in various professional organizations. He also served as a major in the
U.S. Army from 1918 to 1919. An active member of the Episcopal Church, he
served there in various leadership roles. He and his wife, Gladys, had two
daughters and four grandchildren. He passed away in 1963.
Another enhancement was
the addition is a biography of Rev. Samuel Calthrop compiled by his daughter,
Edith Calthrop Bump, in 1939. It is entitled The Boyhood of Rev. Samuel Robert Calthrop. It was donated to our
archives and can be seen at /SamCalthropBoyhoodStory.html
Document 7
A New “Memories” Wall – Created in the
Memorial Room
The east wall of the Memorial
Room has been designated the “Memories” wall. Anchored by the Sam Calthrop and
Sam May busts, it provides information about past church presidents, past
religious and music leaders, and past annual award winners. It also showcases
beautiful photos of our past 12 settled ministers. The following material
depicts this wall and its formal dedication.
THE MMUUS MEMORIES WALL
This east wall of the MMUUS Memorial Room has been
designated as the “Memories Wall.” Officially dedicated on August 12, 2007, it
serves as a symbol of the many treasured memories that make up the history of
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society. We trace our rich history to
around 1835 when early Unitarians who had migrated to Syracuse courageously
began seeking like-minded people, finding ways of bringing Unitarian ministers
to the community for occasional church services, building our first building in
1839, and calling our first minister that same year. More information on our
rich past can be found in our two on-line church histories.
The wall begins with these four picture frames describing
this wall, listing our past religious and music leaders, showing our annual
award recipients, and honoring our past presidents. The marble bust closest to
the street is of Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Calthrop, our third minister who served us
ably from 1868 to 1911. A preacher, scientist, lecturer, inventor, teacher,
writer, and athlete, he was a beloved minister who contributed much to the
Syracuse community as well. The second marble bust is of Rev. Dr. Samuel J.
May, our second minister who served us from 1845 to 1868. Rev. May was one of
the leading abolitionists in the U.S., a vocal advocate for women’s rights, a
devout pacifist, and referred to by many as “God’s Chore Boy.” He truly lived
as he believed and the church was named in honor of him soon after his death.
The twelve photos in between the two busts are in honor of
all our past settled ministers. It is perhaps unusual to have only twelve
ministers during more than 160 years of history, but we believe it represents
the care taken in choosing each one, the devotion of each person to this church
community, and the support given each by May Memorial parishioners. The sacred
space represented by this Memorial Room is enhanced through our historical
memories.
THE MMUUS CHURCH BUILDINGS
We have had four official church sites and five different
church buildings. Our first site, referred to as the “Little Tabernacle,” was
completed in 1839. It was on E. Genesee Street, just beyond State Street, in a
block now containing the Hiscock and Barkley building (Judge Frank Hiscock, a
founder of Hiscock and Barkley, was a long time leader within our
congregation). No known photos or drawings exist of that building. Our second
site was at the intersection of Burnet Avenue and Lock (now State) Street
(south side of Burnet). Known as the Church of the Messiah, the initial
building was completed in 1843. Destroyed by a hurricane in 1852, it was
rebuilt and served as our church home until 1885. Our third site was at 472
James Avenue and that church building was dedicated in 1885. It was named the
May Memorial Church and served us until 1964. Our fourth site is the current
building, referred to as the May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, where
we have returned to E. Genesee Street at the address of 3800. The pictures
below show our last three buildings.
Church of the Messiah May Memorial Church May Memorial UU Society
MMUUS AWARD
RECIPIENTS
Following is a list of May
Memorial award winners from 1955-2007. Awardees prior to 1955 were not well
documented. Earlier awardees were honored with busts, plaques, stained glass
windows, or other means and are not shown in this document. Annual Mary-Lib
Whitney religious education awardees are depicted on a plaque outside the DRE
office.
Annual Award
Recipients
