Courtesy of Virginia Kropf of the Batavia Daily News – Tuesday, April 26, 2016
CHILDS — Spring cleaning can be a daunting task after a long winter, especially if your house has been closed up and unoccupied for six months.
Such was the situation which faced the new director/curator of the Cobblestone Museum and a group of volunteers on Saturday.
Taylor Daughton, who began her duties as new director in February, dug in her heels with several volunteers to undertake the job of sorting out shelves of books, dusting them off and carrying them into the Proctor Room of the Cobblestone Church, where they will be for sale the rest of the season.
Among the volunteers helping were the museum’s volunteer coordinator Sue Bonafini and Albion High School grants manager Sue Starkweather, with her husband Doug. Sue also brought Albion High School senior Raven White.
White said she likes to help out in her community, which helps her earn school credit for community service.
The museum is scheduled to open on Mother’s Day for the season, but will host one special event two days earlier.
On May 6, Albion’s First Friday event will move to the Cobblestone Museum, featuring such local artists as Kim Martilotta-Muscarella, Pat Greene, Tony Barry, Stacey Kirby, Tom Zangerle and Suzanne Wells.
Martilotta-Muscarella started First Friday in the art gallery at her home in Albion several years ago, but decided not to do it again.
“We didn’t want to see it end,” Daughton said. “It is a wonderful way to support the local artists who have such amazing talent.”
Artists’ exhibits will be displayed on the first Friday of each month in the Proctor Room of the Cobblestone Church and the upstairs gallery in the brick house next door.
Mother’s Day will introduce the public to new pricing for tours of the Ward House and Cobblestone Church, Daughton said. A visitor may choose to visit one or the other for $3 or choose both for $5.
Another upcoming event is a volunteer training workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Starkweather praised the museum, saying many people don’t realize what a gem is there.
“It’s the only designated National Historic Landmark in Orleans County,” she said. “Local history is so important, and we are so blessed to have this museum here. It is also the only one in the world like it.”
Starkweather said there is so much to see there, including the World War I exhibit in the Proctor Room. It includes ties to the county’s involvement in the war, and is especially fitting with the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into the war coming up in 2017.
“If you’re looking for something to do this summer, this is the place to be,” Starkweather said.