Judging by how well my local history blogs are received, and the traffic I get to my Webster History Bits link, a LOT of you out there like to learn about Webster history. To you, I say, put this month’s History and a Cup get-together at the Webster Museum on your calendar.
The focus of this year’s History and a Cup series is the Webster Village neighborhood formerly known as “Indian Village” due to its street names: Pontiac, Seneca, Mohawk and Iroquois.
Located on the south side of the village, the neighborhood was developed by Wilmorite in the early 1950s, the first settlement in the village helped by The GI Bill after WWII to build homes that were affordable for the many veterans coming home from the war. The small, pre-fab homes were built by National Homes in Indiana.
On Wednesday, May 15 from noon to 1 p.m., Gary and Marlene Lazzaro, who grew up in Webster, will share stories of their life and their business, Kitchen and Bath Expressions. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served, you are welcome to bring a bag lunch with you if you would like. There’s no charge and registration is not necessary.
On Sunday, May 19, the museum is planning to host a larger program about Indian Village, from 2 to 3 p.m., also no charge.
While you’re at the museum, make sure to check out the current exhibit: yardsticks.
“A Measure of Webster Businesses” takes a look back at historic Webster businesses through those ubiquitous promotional yardsticks that graced nearly every Webster household. Along with the kinetic yardstick display, other memorabilia from local businesses, old and new photos, and brief biographies round out this latest retrospective look at Webster’s history.
This fascinating exhibit grew from the discovery of a box of yardsticks collected from Webster businesses. Inspired by the yardsticks, the museum volunteers started to assemble other promotional items from these same businesses. The search turned up a variety of pieces from small items such as calendars and thermometers to a chair and card table with the names of Webster businesses across the top.
To put all of these companies in a historical perspective, a timeline of each of the “yardstick” businesses has been researched and is on display. The final piece of this exhibit is a slide show of receipts and newspaper ads from Webster businesses.
What a neat way to look at Webster history. If you’re a longtime resident, many of the business names will sound familiar, and if you are new to the area, it’s an opportunity to see the businesses that had an impact on our community.
By the way, If you were fascinated with the Quirky Camera exhibit when it was at the Webster Public Library, you’ll be even more amazed at the expanded Quirky Camera exhibit now on display at the Webster Museum. It’s well worth a visit to see many unusual and previously working cameras that undoubtedly sparked creative flare for photography in previous generations.
The Webster Museum, located at 18 Lapham Park, is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
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(posted 5/8/2024)
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