Artifacts on display
SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » There’s lots in store for history buffs when Parks-Bentley Place, whose oldest section dates to 1766, opens for the season on Saturday, April 7.
The house serves as headquarters for The Historical Society of Moreau and South Glens Falls, which recently obtained numerous artifacts from the Bentley family that lived there from 18661930 when artist-inventor-author Harriet Bentley passed away.
Many items such as an antique secretary desk and colorful handmade quilts were passed down to Bentley’s niece, Katherine Harris, and then a South Glens Falls family, which recently donated them to the Historical Society.
“They knew Katherine wanted these things to come back here eventually,” said Nancy Purinton, society president.
Two of the most unique items are a hand stamp with the Bentley family seal, and an antique concertina -- an accordion-like musical instrument. The list also includes old letters, eyeglasses, a full-length black dress and 19th century checkerboard.
The artifacts give visitors a glimpse into the Bentley family’s everyday life and how they might have entertained themselves long before the age of television and movies.
Harriet Bentley was an accomplished woman who obtained patents for three different inventions. She also made a detailed map of the Old Military Road that once passed by the house, connecting Fort Edward and Lake George in colonial times.
She even authored a children’s book called “The Old Military Road,” which she got introduced into area schools because she was concerned pupils weren’t being taught local history.
In addition to Bentley family items, the Historical Society is opening the 2018 season with an extensive new “Hats Off!” exhibit that pays tribute to America’s military from colonial times to the Global War on Terror.
Articles run the gamut and include 18th century musket balls, a Civil War soldier’s Union Army cap, and uniforms from all branches of the service -Marines, Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard -- from different eras including World War I, Vietnam and the war in Afghanistan.
“Some are on loan from the La Chapelle and Jensen families; others are from our collection,” said Stan Malecki, who organized the display.
From World War II there’s a uniform worn by Thelma Davis who served in the Women’s Army Corps, and a dark blue nurse’s cape worn by Ruth Gustafson.
Ellett Moore belonged to the Coast Guard, but wore a Navy sailor’s uniform because he served aboard a Navy ship.
Featured artifacts also include an Army cot made by Telescope Casual Furniture company in Granville, service medals, a Victory Song Book, Ranger Airborne
handbook and War Ration Book from World War II.
One entire wall is covered by a roster of the more than 100 Moreau residents who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Of these, 31 enlisted during August 1862 alone.
During his last year as a teacher, at Abraham Wing Elementary School in Glens Falls, Malecki had each of his students “adopt” on of these 31 soldiers by researching their military records and writing a report about them.
“They learned which battles they fought in and the pensions they got, which was something like $3-$6 per month,” he said.
The military exhibit will stay up through Sunday, June 10 when the Historical Society holds its annual Flag Day celebration. This year’s event will include a 1940s-era radio show, with songs and music, presented by Gary Ferris.
Parks-Bentley Place is open 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and by special appointment.
Special programs are planned at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays April 28 (History Mystery), May 26 (Food for Thought), June 30 (Quilting program), July 28 (Meet General Moreau), Aug. 25 (Native American program), Sept. 8 (Rug hooking) and Sept. 29 (Games Grandma and Grandpa played).
For more information, call (518) 745-7741 or go to: parksbentleyplace.wix.com.