MESSAGES FROM PEEKSKILL MUSEUM PRESIDENT, JOHN J. CURRAN
President John Curran welcomes 2011
Hello fellow Peekskill Museum Members.
Now that 2010 is over, we had a brief evaluation of last year's' activities at our recent Board meeting on January 11, 2011.
A decision was made to hold future Board Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, at 7pm. You members are invited to attend these meetings, at your choosing.
Overall, we had about 500 visitors during 2010, and nearly 3,000 visits from 40 countries to the Museum website (www.peekskillmuseum.org ) since 2008.
Our finances are holding steady with an even expense/income balance for 2010. Our current account balance is in the $10,000 range.
We worked with our Accountant in submitting the IRS 990 and N.Y. State Charities forms, that are required annually.
As an independent self-sustaining State chartered cultural organization we pay oil, electric, water, sewer, telephone, cable alarm security, house insurance, landscaping postage, maintenance supplies and such items each years.
In 2010 we received comfortable support from the Peekskill Senior Club, Road Knights, Rotary and Lions clubs, and Lincoln Society that totaled a little more than $1,000.
Our primary income was from paid Memberships totaled nearly $7,000 for the past year.
We innovated using E-Mail contacts for our members of which a little more than 50% are signed onto. For the rest we still have to use regular postage paper-mail-system.
All of the Officer positions were filled in 2010. But there us still opportunities for four new Trustees to fulfill the Board of Directors.
We started 2010 with an excellent exhibit and program on the former Fleischmann family.
Five committees have been either formed or reactivated Programs, New Trustees, Collections, Membership and Building.
Once again, if you have the time and interest, you may attend our committee and board meetings.
But please remember that we are not just about meetings, but offer interest in our various curious and historical collections.
John J. Curran - President
Calvert E. Schlick - Vice President
Robert Mayer- Treasurer
Robin Goldsand - Recording Secretary
Margaret Bryan - Membership
Augie Augustowski - Trustee
John Beers - Trustee
2010 previous messages
May 4, 2010
"Dear Peekskill Museum Website Visitor -
With this winter now behind us, we at the former Herrick family house of about of the 1870s' on Union Avenue - are gearing up for our biggest
program and social event of the year - our OPENING DAY.
This year's seasonal opening will take place on Sunday afternoon, JUNE 13th. Our front doors will open to Members and the Public at 2 p.m.
Our Featured Program will focus on the former Standard Brands/ Fleischmann factory complex once located on all of Charles Point.
This was at one time
the largest yeast manufacturing operation in the world.
We want to focus on the Fleischmann family members and their involvement with the with Peekskill community, the industrial operations, the male and
female factory workers, Standard brands outstanding contributions during World War 2 and its closing in 1977.
A local representative of the local fire department is being asked to speak about the devastating midnight fire of August 1819 when seven Peekskill
men were killed while battling a Flesichmann warehouse fire.
More information is available on this nationally influential family in the Arcadia Images of America series book " The Fleischmann Yeast Factory" by
P. Christiaan Klieger, printed in 2004. Learn how the Flesichmann's help create the TV show "Gilligan's Island" and much more.
Our Membership drive this year (and please remember that were are SOLELY Membership supported organization, with no regular government support) will
be enhanced with our new ACCESS computer program.
We are also soliciting E-MAIL ADDRESSES of all of our Members. They can be notified directly and immediately of occurring events at the Museum in
this way.
We are planning for other programs and exhibits this year, so please check in with us every so often. Thanks for your interest.
- John J. Curran
Previous Messages:
January 1st, 2010
Thanks for visiting us electronically.
Please take a few minutes of your valuable time to explore this specially crafted Web Site for its insights into our river town history museum in New York State.
Located along a scenic Hudson River bay, the Peekskill community has contributed Crayola products to the world with their development from Joseph Binney's Peekskill Chemical Works in 1864.
Peekskill was recently declared as the source of the "yellow brick road" passageway to OZ, now known around the world in author Frank Baum's stories, who attended the former Peekskill Military Academy as a youngster from 1868 to 1870.
National basketball star Elton Brand claims Peekskill as his hometown, as does recent Governor George Pataki. Actors Mel Gibson and Paul Reubens were born at Peekskill Hospital, as was contemporary novelist T.C. Boyle.
Our old house of 1877 features a memorable giant string ball, a 100 year old cookie in a jar, authentic Revolutionary War artifacts from the day of George Washington and local patriots, examples of America's industrial significance with curious
iron foundry stoves, former chemical and garment factories.
In operation since 1946, former home to the distinguished Herrick family, our recently restored House-Museum is located in a mostly residential neighborhood. A guidepost is a large Catholic church complex directly across Union Avenue.
Your curiousity about what made America the driving force to the world can begin at Peekskill Museum. We welcome your interest and your visit.
PLEASE NOTE: As a member-supported chartered organization, please consider becoming a Paid Member, or making a financial contribution for our continued support and service to the community.
