Howard Historical Society looking for volunteers, hosting meeting

HOWARD - The Howard Historical Museum and Historical Society are in dire need of support. The organizations especially need area people to participate and help preserve this valuable heirloom. There will be a program and a meeting July 13, at 2 p.m. at the Howard Town Hall. A tour of the museum will follow.

The Howard Historical Museum has been a well-kept secret in the area counties. It was established in 1976 but was never strongly promoted. It is located at 3 Mill Street in the Village of Howard. This building once was a cheese factory, later a milk plant and then Howard Library. In 1976 the Howard Historical Society created a museum in this antiquated building.

Over the years many donations have made it a credible museum. National artist and Steuben County Hall of Fame member Otis Bullard has representation there. Also on display is the Mammoth tusk that was found in the Howard Gravel.

The exhibits include among many other items, including a collection of antique wall telephones. The procedures to use these were as follows: One would turn the hand crank on the side of the phone, which would alert the operator, who had the phone panel in her home. One gave her the number they wanted, usually by asking for a customer by name. She would ring through with a designated series of rings, (combination of long and short rings), for each customer.

The Society has a few dedicated members who belong to the quilting group. Each year this group chooses a pattern, purchases the material, and over the year's time, stitches the quilt. Chances are sold for the drawing on Community Day in September. This income is the main support to maintain the museum. While the town owns the building, the Historical Society maintains and supports it.

These very special hand made quilts are stitched entirely by a few volunteers, meeting each week. The Society has managed in the last few years to have a new roof, siding, and new windows installed on this historic building. This was made possible by the sale of raffle tickets for the quilt, which is raffled off each year in September, at Community Days and with help from the Town of Howard. This is a fun time in Howard when peope get together and plan various activities and demonstrations for all the area to enjoy.