The First Founders' Day April 25, 1965
L. to R. Betty Becker, Marjorie Shufelt, Elaine Chanady. In front is Jodi Becker
A huge gala event for the entire Village of Watervillle was held in April of 1965 to celebrate the first year of existence of the Waterville Historical Society. The actual beginning was in early March of 1964 when some village leaders including Mayor Dick Farnsworth and bank president Al Sieczkowski gathered a meeting to float the idea of forming a historical society to preserve and present the rich history of Waterville. The idea had much support so they met again on March 15th to formally organize. Officers and six trustees were elected and a constitution to govern the new organization was authorized. Al Sieczkowski was elected the first president. There were 58 charter members in the first year.
January 22, 1965 the group met to elect new officers and trustees. Al Sieczkowski was re-elected president and the group began to organize a big event to celebrate their first anniversary with a village-wide Founders Day (Founding Day perhaps) event. This was not only a celebration of a successful first year but a promotion and membership drive for the society. Plans were already made for the collection and preservation of historical artifacts and papers. The big day was to be Sunday April 25, 1965. There would be artifacts on display in shop windows around the village and in the school gymnasium and guided walking tours plus tours of several historic homes and the Columbian House. A grand buffet supper was held in the evening at the Zion Lutheran Church with a featured speaker, Dr. Randolph Downs from the University of Toledo. These events were attended by almost 1500 people in spite of inclement weather and a tornado threat in the evening. To put this in perspective the village population in 1965 was 2338 persons. The celebration was a resounding success and the society decided to make it an annual event.
The second Founders Day event was held Saturday and Sunday May 14 and 15, 1966 with much the same activities as the previous year plus a costume ball on Saturday night at the school. A tea and tour of the Columbian House was planned on Sunday plus dinner with speaker on Sunday night at Zion Lutheran Church.
By 1967 the third Founders Day was cut back to one day, Sunday May 21, and the society now had museum space in the upstairs of a building on Third Street generously donated by charter member, Marion Swope, which was opened to the public.
Today, 56 years after our founding, Waterville Historical Society continues to enjoy great success in our core mission, but somewhere along the way we have lost the tradition of celebrating our founding. We have three historic buildings serving as museum space plus the Wakeman Building serving as display and archives for paper and photographic artifacts. We continue to be an all-volunteer organization, dependent on the good will of members and supporters. So our story becomes a plea to our readers to please support this society as generously as possible. Things are much more complicated and expensive than in 1965. Buildings require maintenance and utilities. Preservation requires the proper storage boxes and facilities. We are also always in need of active members to volunteer to be a docent and for cleanup, maintenance, repair as well as financial supporters. We would also encourage the public to visit the museums on open house days and visit our amazing archives which is open every week on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Waterville’s history is on display in all of our buildings. Museum displays are also viewable on Roche de Boeuf Day. Perhaps one day we can revive the practice of celebrating the founding of the Waterville Historic Society.
Author’s Note: Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic closures, our museums and the archives are not open at present. These facilities still need maintenance so your support is as essential as ever. We will announce the opening as soon as it is safe to do so. Please plan to visit us when we can be open.