The Wells Historical Society is looking for donations of the following: Town of Wells business journals, photos, family genealogy, family Bibles, school textbooks, and magazines from the 1800s-1900s; black or brown photo frames in 8x10 or legal size; shelving units for displays; plexiglass sheets to cover tool displays; display cases; mannequins (male, female, and child); a kitchen pump; an outside well pump; and a large old cracker barrel (to play checkers on). Images will be digitized and placed in the Town of Wells Historical Files and shared with the Museum. Journals will be returned if desired, and Wells Historical Society President and Town Historian Pat Unterborn will note on a digital copy journal names, dates, and who loaned them. If anyone finds any of these items during Town Cleanup or anytime for donation, or has a question about items they find, please e-mail Pat at TownHistorian@townofwells.org. Thank you.

Upcoming Projects

Past Projects

2024

Museum Reorganization and Children's Museum Tour - August 22 and 23, 2024

Completion of the reorganization of the Wells Historical Society Museum, a passion project headed by President Pat Unterborn, was achieved on July 22, 2024. Many individuals were vital participants in this project, including Bill Moroz, who refurbished the display cases with assistance from Kevin Cafaro; Glen Unterborn, Jim Schmieder, Kathy Simons, Pam Broiles, and Pam Sproule; and Clay Earley and his crew, who moved heavy items from the Museum into the Annex. Additionally, several other Historical Society members had donated an afternoon of their time at the beginning of the venture. Thank you so much to everyone who dedicated their time and talents to this very important project.

 

On July 23, 2024, a tour of the newly reorganized Museum was given to the children who partake in the Summer Rec program. Everyone had a wonderful time, and many thanks are given to Pat Unterborn for conceiving of and holding the tour, Pam Broiles, who served as a docent, and Mindy Morrison, who transported the attendees to the event and experienced it with them.

2023

Former Mills Pomeroy Marker Unveiled at John Van Alstine Studios - October 29, 2023

According to the New York State Museum, "In 1923, the New York Historical Association was directed to suggest possible celebrations for the upcoming 150th Anniversary of the American Revolution... Most of the historic markers seen along highways today were erected in this period; between 1926 and 1936. Funding through a regular state appropriation appears to have run out as early as 1939." By 1960, the State Education Department was given the responsibility of erecting and maintaining historic markers. "In 1972, the functions of the State Historic Trust passed to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation." New York State gave up managing the historical marker program due to lack of funding. In 2006, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation took over the historical marker program. The grants are open to 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and local, state, and federal governments.

 

One of the Pomeroy Foundation's core initiatives is to help people celebrate their community's history. The Foundation strongly believes that historic markers play an important role in local historic preservation by serving a dual purpose. They educate the public and foster historic tourism, which, in turn, can provide much needed economic benefits to the towns and villages where the markers are placed. The program also fills a gap, as New York State stopped funding their roadside markers in 1939. Our New York State Historic Marker Grant Program commemorates historic people, places, things, or events within the timeframe of 1683-1924.

 

An original marker paying tribute to the 150th Anniversary of the American Revolution established in 1935 South of Wells recognizes the Sacandaga Campsite (displayed above); and the newest, a Pomeroy Marker, was unveiled in 2023 to commemorate the former mills where local artist John Van Alstine's studio is currently located at the South side of town (displayed below).

John Van Alstine Presentation and Book Signing at the Wells Meal Site For Seniors - August 18, 2023

The event was co-sponsored by the Virginia Hosley Free Library and Wells Historical Society. Van Alstine presented a PowerPoint of his artwork/sculptures, and after the presentation, held a book signing of AMERICAN VISTAS: The Life and Art of John Van Alstine. Following the presentation, Van Alstine held an open house on August 19th and 20th at his studio in Wells, NY.

Museum Porch Repairs - May 15, 2023

Brenan Builders performed repairs on the Wells Historical Society Museum's porch. The repairs were made possible with the donation of time, materials, and talent of Mike Brenan, along with the help of the Museum's Building and Grounds Director, Bill Moroz. Because of Mike's generosity, the funding of the porch--which came from the Historical Society's Annual Fundraising Campaign--was reallocated for the repair and painting of the Museum.

Co-Sponsorship With The Revival

The Revival is an 1825 Greek Revival Church listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. Owned and operated by Pam Broiles, and located on Route 30 in Wells, NY, the venue hosts a variety of events, including historic events, concerts, jams, and weddings. In 2023, The Revival joined in a co-sponsoring partnership with the Wells Historical Society, making for an even richer creative experience that benefits both organizations.

2025

"'Heart Songs": John Dale in Concert" - August 22, 2025

Thank you so much to John Dale for his performance of his concert, "Heart Songs," in helping to raise funds for the Wells Historical Society's donation campaign to renovate the exterior of the Historical Society Museum and Annex, and thank you so much to Pam Broiles as always for use of The Revival. We are so very grateful to John, Pam, and everyone who made this beautiful concert so successful.  

2024

"Iron-Hearted: The 115th NYS Adirondack Vol. Regiment in the Civil War" - September 22, 2024

The 115th Regiment presentation by David Brooks on Sunday was a sobering glimpse into the Civil War and its effects on families and communities in the Adirondacks. Thank you so much to everyone who attended. A very special thanks goes out to Jamie Wood, Alice Megargle, Theresa Heilsberg, Nancy Livingston, Barbara Van Slyke, and President Pat Unterborn for the delicious cookies. And, as always, thank you so much to member and co-sponsor Pam Broiles for letting the Wells Historical Society use The Revival and co-hosting the event.

2023

A Liaisons Plaisantes Christmas - December 10, 2023

Liaisons Plaisantes is a group of four reenactors/historians/musicians who specialize in 18th-century music played on traditional instruments, and in period costume. Here, they performed a candlelit Christmas concert featuring music from their album they recorded at Sir William Johnson Hall in Johnstown, NY.

*This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

Sponsored by the Wells Historical Society