Honor Manlius Historical Society

19, 2016 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; these institutions give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the communities of the State of New York and profoundly strengthen our society with their commitment; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Manlius Historical Society upon the occasion of celebrating its 40th anniversary, celebrated at a Taste of Manlius-themed festival on July 19, 2016; and WHEREAS, The Manlius Historical Society began in the fall of 1974, when Crome Dollase, a Manlius citizen, had a vision of a local history museum where the heritage of the greater Syracuse area could be enjoyed; and WHEREAS, Crome Dollase took his idea to the Manlius Bicentennial Committee and found a suitable home for the proposed museum, a small maintenance building located on the corner of Smith and Scoville Streets at the rear of the Pleasant Street School; and WHEREAS, The Manlius Historical Society was formed while the building was being negotiated, and with guidelines from the State, a constitution was written and a non-profit incorporation obtained; the Manlius Historical Society was officially dedicated on June 13, 1976; and WHEREAS, The Manlius Historical Society designated its name, not because it was located in the Village of Manlius, but because all of Eastern Onondaga County was once known as Manlius in 1794; and WHEREAS, In 1976, the old building was converted into the Manlius Historical Museum, and was rented for $1.00 a year for five years and then donated to the Manlius Historical Society by the local school district; in 1978, a late 1920s bungalow was donated to the Manlius Historical Society, which was then used as the Cheney House Research Center; and WHEREAS, The Manlius Historical Society's archival collections and genealogy files focus on the area in and immediately surrounding the town of Manlius, New York, which includes the villages of Manlius, Fayetteville, and Minoa; and WHEREAS, Among the Manlius Historical Society's collections are artifacts produced locally, such as L. & J.G. Stickley furniture and Cheney iron products, as well as toys, country store artifacts, household items, artwork, clothing, and textiles; and WHEREAS, The Manlius Historical Museum features a room with rotating temporary exhibits each year focusing on local history, as well as permanent displays which include a country kitchen, a general store, a school room, and an authentic working blacksmith shop, where volunteer blacksmiths often work at the forge during the museum's open hours; and WHEREAS, In 1990, the Manlius Historical Society received its absolute charter from the New York State Department of Education; one year later, the Society published People and Places: Fayetteville, Manlius, Minoa & Neighbors, a three-volume set featuring vignettes and historical accounts of the founding of the town of Manlius; and WHEREAS, On March 11, 2016, the Manlius Historical Society proudly received the Not-for-Profit of the Year Award by the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce at its 17th Annual Awards Banquet; and WHEREAS, For the past 40 years, the Manlius Historical Society has allowed citizens to effectively learn about their local history and enjoy the Manlius Historical Museum; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Manlius Historical Society upon the occasion of celebrating its 40th Anniversary on July 19, 2016; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Manlius Historical Society.