Thank you for subscribing to the Historic Valentown Newsletter!
 

Valentown Greetings,

We have had two days recently where we had a little help from
our friends. Our partners from Rochester Running Co. gave us
some help on Saturday the 11th and straightened our fences
and we all prepped areas to paint. Then on the following

Thursday a crew from LL Bean came from the United Way Day of
Caring and painted our trim on our ramp and steps to the
Hall. Our new barn red color looks fresh and perky. And we
thank all of our volunteers who took one of our chores of our
check list.

There are many volunteers over the years who have contributed
their time to Historic Valentown.  And even though they see
the building from different perspectives and have different
levels of interest, they all could see a glimpse of what it
was and could imagine some past there they might have fit into.

Some people may not know but Valentown Hall was quite the
sight in its hay day. The siding was a mustard yellow and

the window frames, doors and trim, barn red. The windows
were white around the glass at some point. Probably only
painted once in its life at the beginning, a daunting task
even then with the height. It must have been striking, surly
a "sight to see" coming from a distance by buggy. Again,
Levi and the Valentine family were doing their form of
marketing their business by creating a memorable experience.

The Victorians were not always demure in the colors they used
depending on the era. They liked to make things pop. The
1880's generally used at least three colors for siding,
doors, windows and trim in various combinations. Villages and
towns were colorful and it is fun to see some neighborhoods
that still keep the original hues used at the time their
houses were built. Favorites for around 1880 were the
mustard yellow, barn red and green. So Valentown Hall was
right on target. And if you look from our porch under where

the roof meets the siding, you can still see some of the old
yellow color up there. It would be great to see some of that
original color back again. And we hope you would agree.

We know most people want to see us get that paint and new
wood. The building has seen a lot over all this time. The
successes and the failures of the people who were there are
the real story. Good history is not perfectly structured and
appointed, even though that would be the better telling. And
through all those years it has managed to keep standing. It
is now even more critical for us to act to save it. Not just
because of any concerns about what it looks like or how much
investment has been made around it to make it judged from a
less sensitive perspective. The bare bones are still strong
and waiting for attention. And being regionally unique in
its concept, it stands on its own in history without a
village or town in the background. It proudly holds the
history of a community and the stories they have left behind
for us to learn from. And the legacy today is the community
that collectively identifies history on more than a
superficial level to see the spirit and soul of an old
building and want to reclaim that. Now, why is that so
complicated?

As always, we are your down home hometown museum. Kathryn White, President Historic Valentown- VHS

Discover your made in America Past at Historic Valentown!

Quote of the Month

"I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by
the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be
lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for
whatever reason, turn his back on life."
Eleanor Roosevelt

News and Events
(For other ongoing News & Events, check our web site or our 
Facebook page.)

Thank you to our partners Rochester Running Co. for their 
help on May 11th.
They have plans to help some more before their event in 
September.

DAY OF CARING
Many thanks to the L.L. Bean team who came out to help us do a 
little
sprucing up earlier this month! Many hands make light work.

One little step at a time. We are opening on June 2 for
the season and anyone is welcome come come by and help us
on our Sundays. We are doing tours but others are doing
chores also from 1-4 pm.

REMEMBER, RESPECT & RETIRE
at Historic Valentown.

We are proud to announce our front porch has become a drop
off site for the community to retire American Flags when
they are no longer serviceable. Please stop by and place
your flags in our donated trunk just for this purpose located
near our entryway. We are working with the James Cooke
American Legion Post #931 in Victor and they will be
collecting the flags to retire them. Most American flags are
retired on Flag Day, June 14th each year through the service
of the American Legion or Scouting groups. So get that too
Old Glory to us to be honorably taken out of service on June
14th.

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionVictorNY/
<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjmkpmnlbLiAhULTKwKHYQzA1wQFjAAegQIAxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAmericanLegionVictorNY%2F&usg=AOvVaw3QB6pDgk4uEdhNc5MvIvpf>/

Page 76 of the SA Handbook says, A national flag that is
worn beyond repair may be burned in a fire. The ceremony
should be conducted with dignity and respect and the *flag*
burned completely to ashes. Sep 8, 2014
   
WANTED: VOLUNTEER FOR ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS.
NOT TOO BIG, NOT TOO SMALL BUT.. JUST RIGHT.
   
Please consider helping us some Sunday afternoon.
We can do this the easy way or the hard way. All you have to
do is show up.
If you want to check ahead about a possible task match up
just email us at info at historicvalentownmuseum.org 

EVENTS

2019 SEASON OPENING!

Sunday, June 2nd 1-4 pm.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting for the Victor Historical Society
(Historic Valentown Museum)
will be held on Sunday, June 23rd at Valentown Hall at 12 noon
   

HISTORIC VALENTOWN ~ THE HERITAGE OF HOPS
Saturday July 20th 11 am to 4 pm

Learn about the history & lore around of the use of hops in
our area of New York State.

Enjoy Lectures, Demos & Displays related to hops and
their cultivation and use in Tonics, Brewing and
Breweries.

Join us for several speakers including,
Hop Growing & Beer Production in the Genesee Country*
Speaker: Jane Oakes 2pm

For part of the 19th century, New York State was the
chief location worldwide for raising hops. From
pioneer to immigrant, everyone enjoyed beer as a
healthier alternative to often polluted well water.
Learn how hops were grown and beer was made in the
time of our ancestors.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (TBA)
Speaker: Pilar McKay
            

ANTIQUE APPRAISAL DAY AT? HISTORIC VALENTOWN
Saturday October 19th

We will be taking reservations for this event soon!
 

WEB SITE NEWS

*WANTED: VOLUNTEER*
Lynne is looking for volunteers to help out with some small
but time consuming tasks for the web site. Technical web
coding experience is not required, but knowing how to
manipulate text and do "cut and paste" copying would be?
helpful. If interested, email her at
webmaster at historicvalentownmuseum.org

THE BOOKCASE

If you have a favorite read you'd like to share, send it
along for our review at webmaster at historicvalentownmuseum.org.

The Best Short Stories of Mark Twain
Modern Library Classics
(Author), Lawrence Berkove (Editor), Pete Hamill (Introduction)

This unique collection of Twain's essential short stories and
semi-autobiographical narratives is a testament to the
author's vast imagination. Featuring popular tales such as
Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog and The Man That Corrupted
Hadleyburg, as well as some delightful excerpts from The
Diaries of Adam and Eve, this compilation also includes works
written in the author's twilight years. These selections
illuminate the depth of Twain's artistry, humor, irony, and
narrative genius.

Click here
<https://www.amazon.com/Short-Stories-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0812971183/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=mark+twain+novels&qid=1558381219&s=gateway&sr=8-23>;
    to read more about this book on Amazon.

Just a reminder, your Amazon shopping can help Historic
Valentown!
See illustrated instructions on how to set it up and
what to visually expect in our forums: How to set up a
Smile.Amazon.com Account
<http://historicvalentownmuseum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=148&fbclid=IwAR09T4sS-p-RyZfgQgU1fyNuhM8aBQpbBp5wlBeL0oZTHmNI5tuWxFpN7W8>;

Please consider becoming a community member
<http://historicvalentownmuseum.org/page.php/communitymemberships>*
of Victor Historical Society and support *HISTORIC
VALENTOWN on a yearly basis. Members get to vote and
have other perks as well.

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/*

Grilled Vegetables

Nothing kicks off the unofficial start of summer on
Memorial Day better than firing up the grill. And
nothing grills up quite so quick and yummy as
vegetables for a side dish!

ASPARAGUS
Lightly coat the asparagus spears with olive oil. Season with

salt and pepper to taste.
Grill over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or to desired
tenderness.

PEPPERS

In medium bowl, toss peppers that have been halved vertically
with oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground
black pepper. Place peppers, skin side up, on hot grill rack.
Cover grill and cook peppers 4 to 5 minutes or until
beginning to soften. Turn peppers over; cover and cook 3 to 4
minutes longer or until slightly charred.

ZUCCHINI
Brush zucchini with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic powder,
Italian seasoning, and salt over zucchini.
Cook on preheated hot grill until beginning to brown, 3-4
minutes per side.

YELLOW SQUASH
Preheat a grill to medium high. Toss sliced summer squash and
1 sliced onion with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill 3 to 5
minutes per side.

TIPS: 
1) A grilling basket makes the task super easy!/
2) Before your grill gets hot, baste the grate lightly with
oil, it will help prevent the vegetables from sticking to the
grate.
3) Turn your grilled veggies into a hot or cold veggie salad
by drizzling balsamic vinegar and sprinkling garlic powder
over them, or serve with slices of fresh lemon!

Levi's "What is it?" Department

Hello Friends,
These came in different shapes and colors but always did the same 
task. Every home probably had one or maybe a few for family 
members.They could be bought at the store or ordered from the 
Sears Catalog. And they are still around today. Work just as 
well too.

If you already know, DON'T give the answer right off if you
go on Facebook. Maybe give us all a hint or two for some
fun. See, this is supposed to let everybody try and figure it
out. It is a "What Is It" after all.

- LEVI

Enjoy more conversation about this "What Is It" on our 
Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/
<https://www.facebook.com/157101550971895/photos/a.708518075830237/2720307997984558/?type=3&theater>;

Our April What Is It was a button hook. Button boots were
popular with both men's and women's foot wear. Thanks to
these little handy hooks you were able to get them on a
little quicker. See how they worked for gents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7G5E2xEB1A
????????????????????????????? The hook The challenge
Best to you - Levi

Still going. Will it ever be solved...? The "mystery rods" 
<https://www.facebook.com/157101550971895/photos/a.708518075830237.1073741826.157101550971895/2096916816990349/?type=3&theater>;