Thank you for subscribing to the Historic Valentown Newsletter!
~A Note From Kathryn White~

Valentown greetings,

August is certainly moving fast. The warm to hot weather has 
been a challenge for our original Valentown Hall. That means no 
air conditioning as we know it. But we still have visitors 
enjoying tours. In the good old days the cupola that was once on 
the roof was used as a way to circulate air. In many houses and 
structures especially barns, these early ventilators were 
important to keep structures from building up moisture, and at 
the same time containing a desired environment, like for hay. One 
day we will get that cupola back up and use it again for "air 
conditioning" the old fashion way.

Our rural landscape at Valentown reflects every season. We are 
happy to see the monarchs and other small pollinators in our 
"High Meadow" right now. There are several historical plantings 
on the property that reflect our rural past. An old cherry tree, 
as well as mulberries that were loaded this year, remind us of 
those before us who planted them and also enjoyed the bounty. A 
gift that keeps on giving. We have American chestnuts trees that 
are registered with the American Chestnut Foundation and Pawpaws 
that promise to one day let people sample this unusual native 
fruit that was widely appreciated in the past and being 
rediscovered. We hope to get some catalpas trees 
<https://www.heartspoken.com/6651/catalpa-tree/>;? before the end 
of the season. This tree's original range was more to the south, 
but the blossoms are showy and look like orchids, which is why 
you often see them in century old yards and cemeteries. There are 
also a few tupelo trees <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupelo>; 
and mysterious apples on the hill behind the house. We hope to 
add other species that will improve our wooded areas for 
education and wildlife habitat. Remember that the Victor Hiking 
Trail system is on our property and we want to create an "habitat 
for hikers" as well as wildlife. If you would like to join us in 
planting or documenting our land and trees, let us know.

Be On Our Side!
Just a Reminder - Please take the time to review and share our 
S.O.S. Go Fund Me Campaign to repair the siding on 
Valentown Hall. We put a newly milled board on the back of the 
building last Sunday to show what they look like. We could do 
some more new, lower boards with a little help. Hint, Hint!
http://gofundme.com/save-our-siding-sos__ 
<http://gofundme.com/save-our-siding-sos>;

Special Offer
The Plate Palooza is still happening in our Meeting Room!  
Don't forget, you can stop by on Sundays when we are open from 
1-4 pm and make a donation to our S.O.S. Fund and pick 
out one of our decorative collector plate's as a thank 
you! We have a wide selection of themes to choose from. Thank you 
to the Valentine family for donating these limited edition plates 
for our fundraiser and promotions. Levi would be proud of you.

Help! We Need Somebody!
Not just anybody, but you! On Sundays we do tours and chores. 
So you will see some of us, like Carl (pictured here) or Frank 
working in the yard or out back. Or inside as greeters. We have 
some very dedicated friends who help us with outside and inside 
tasks. As the weather cools down, stop by and give us a hand 
and... be handy, where ever you feel you fit in.
As always, we are your down home, hometown museum.
Kathryn White, President

Discover your Made in America Past at Historic Valentown!

Farm Fresh & Fantastic
At your Local Market or Farm right now!
Beans, tomatoes, root vegies like potatoes, carrots and beats & 
Apple Pie, Oh My!,
Watch for our recipes on Face Book & historicvalentownmuseum.org 
Buy Local, Support Local, Love Local History!

Quote of the Month
"Summer afternoon -summer afternoon; to me those 
have always been the two most beautiful words in the English 
language." 
Henry James, as quoted in a Backward Glance by Edith Wharton

News and Events

WEB SITE NEWS

Reminder: We want to hear from you! Please answer seven quick 
multiple choice questions for us. It should only take a minute or 
two. The poll is open to the all: 
http://historicvalentownmuseum.org/polls/index.php

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

RAIN OR SHINE! Fundraiser for the SOS (Save Our Siding) Fund)
Let's Go Square Dancing At
Milly's Handle Bar Cafe!!!
Live Music! Dance!! BBQ!!!!
Sunday Afternoon, Sept. 16th / 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Live Music by Old Time Hoedown!

Old Time Hoedown performs foot-stompin, fiddle and banjo tunes, 
haunting melodies,

and old-time songs from the mountains of southern Appalachia and

the string band era of the early 20th century. Have a listen 
here! <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=83&v=qsaDHZfr4ns>;

Image result for square dancing New to Square Dancing? Only 
experienced in a certain style? Don't be shy! Our dance callers 
teach the moves of each dance, so everyone- newbies and dancers 
of other styles alike, will all have great fun and dance like 
pros! So bring a dance partner, bring a group, or just bring 
yourself! If you don?t want to square dance, you can still just 
freestyle dance, or simply enjoy the music, fun & BBQ!

C'mon Out and Join Us!
 

Learn more about this event here:
http://historicvalentownmuseum.org/page.php/hoedown
TICKET SALES END SEPTEMBER 12,TH 6:00PM

A SPECIAL EVENING EVENT!
Home Made Sauerkraut Demonstration
Thursday, September 27th 6:00pm

Includes free museum tour & collector's gift plate!
Learn more about this event here:
http://historicvalentownmuseum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=108

Upcoming events: 
Valentown's Mason Bee Autumn Harvest
(Date to be Determined)

Reminder:
Please check out our Gift Shop Spot on Sundays from 1-4p.m.
We have a little nook just to the left of the door
when you first come into the General Store,
it is filled with fun things.

Find Us on Facebook! 
<https://www.facebook.com/Historic-Valentown-157101550971895/>;

Recipes
See /our collection of recipes and hints, tips and substitutions at
http://historicvalentownmuseum.org/forum/index.php?cat=2

Apple Sauerkraut Side Pot

A perfect Autumn side dish (or add meat and make it a main dish). 
This Apple Sauerkraut recipe was on the menu several times while 
I was growing up during the months of September through October, 
there was rarely any left overs, and if there were leftovers, 
they ended up in Reuben sandwiches within a couple of days.
~~~Submitted by Lynne.

Ingredients (Serves 4 to 6)

4-6 slices of bacon bacon
2 firm apples, chopped
1 chopped yellow onion
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
2-1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 pint jars prepared canned sauerkraut, undrained

Instructions

1. Cook and chop the bacon until the bacon has browned and most 
of the bacon fat has been rendered, 5 to 10 minutes.

Remove the bacon from the pot and set on paper towels to drain. 
Remove all but 1 Tbsp of the fat in the pot. Chop the bacon and 
set aside.

2. Cook chopped onion & apples to the pot and cook until the 
onions are translucent, about 6-7 minutes. Add the caraway (if 
wanted) and cook, stirring, for a minute more.

3. Add vinegar to the pot. Bring to a rolling boil and stir 
occasionally until the liquid is becomes syrupy, about 5 minutes.

4 Add the sauerkraut and bacon to the pot and stir to coat with 
the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the sauerkraut 
has been heated through and is tender, about 10 minutes. Season 
to taste with salt and pepper.

NOTE 1: This side dish is delish by itself, but if you add 
some cooked kielbasa or sausage to it, it becomes a main dish. Or 
pour the apple sauerkraut in a baking dish, lay 1/2" thick pork 
chops on top, salt and pepper the chops and bake at 350 degrees 
for 1 hour. Serve with mashed or boiled potato's./

NOTE 2: If you want to go vegetarian, just leave out the bacon 
and use about 1 tbsp. butter in place of the bacon fat.

PLEASE CONSIDER COMING TO OUR SPECIAL EVENT: 
A FREE TOUR AND HOME MADE SAUERKRAUT DEMONSTRATION 
THURSDAY EVENING AT 6:00PM SEPTEMBER 27TH!

Levi's "What is it?" Department

Here is our next "What is it?", friends.
"Well folks, we hope this little item will look familiar to you.? 
If you think you know, go in to our Facebook and give everyone a 
hint. Kitchens around 1900 were full of new fangled ideas and 
time saving gadgets. And yes, for the kitchen, Ladies." Levi

Join our Facebook discussion and submit your guesses here:
Facebook 11th "WhatIsIt?" 
<https://www.facebook.com/157101550971895/photos/a.708518075830237/2282044511810911/?type=3&theater>;

Our last "What is it"!
This "What is it" is a hammer set for setting the teeth of large 
saws. For those who saw wood, it is known that the kerf, or cut 
by the saw, is required to be slightly wider than the blade, so 
that it does not bind. To achieve that, every other tooth is 
bent out to the right, and the other teeth are bent out to the 
left. The top fence with the wooden screws on our whatsit can be 
adjusted to permit the tooth to be bent at the ideal 1/3rd from 
the point location. The vertical fence in the front can be moved 
both in and out from the body, and also up or down - this adjusts 
the angle of the bent tooth. More is angle needed for soft wood, 
less for hard wood. The target tooth was centered under the 
punch, and a hammer hit the punch and set the tooth.

We surmise that this tool might have come from either of two 
sources. Firstly, it might have been part of the Fisher 
homestead artifacts that Sheldon Fisher collected. The Fisher 
Homestead was near the Charles Fisher lumber mill that was in 
business in Fishers, N.Y. - only 2 miles from the Hall. That was 
the mill in which we think that the Hall lumber was sawed. The 
other idea is that it came from the construction crew that built 
the Hall. Current thinking is that it was the former, for two 
reasons.? First, it is marked with an inventory number that 
Sheldon marked the Fishers artifacts.  Secondly, the 
primitive design of the tool suggests a time before commercial 
saw sets were available, which should have been available when 
the Hall was built in 1879.

Thanks to Frank Kosmerl for figuring this out and for being our 
on site tool guy!

Still going. Will they ever be solved?

These "mystery rods"
    <https://www.facebook.com/157101550971895/photos/a.708518075830237.1073741826.157101550971895/2096916816990349/?type=3&theater>;
and this wood carving
    <https://www.facebook.com/157101550971895/photos/a.708518075830237.1073741826.157101550971895/1912890852059614/?type=3&theater>seem
to be a real stumpers.