(rshsdepot) Horseheads, NY

["J. Henry Priebe Jr." <root_@_bluemoon.net>]

http://stargazette.com/article/20081201/COLUMNIST15/812010306

Henry

J. Henry Priebe Jr.    Blue Moon Internet Corp Network Administrator
www.bluemoon.net       Internet Access & Web Hosting
www.railfan.net        Railfan Network Services

Historical society starts planning for anniversary
Jeff Murray . December 1, 2008

One hundred years ago, it was a focal point of activity in Horseheads.

Today, the former train depot is a museum, and next year the Horseheads
Historical Society plans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of that change.

The historical society wants to let the public know about the anniversary
plans early because it wants people to have an opportunity to participate and
assist in the planning.

The idea is also to draw more attention to the facility.

A lot of people don't realize how much of Horseheads' history is wrapped up in
that old depot.

"The building is very underutilized considering how important that building
was to the development of this community," celebration chairman Rob Piecuch
said.

"All of your supplies came in there, anyone who came to Horseheads came by
train. A lot of people don't realize the significance of that building.

"Now people aren't aware of what the building is. People who live in the
village have driven by it 50 times and didn't know what it was," he said.

"We are trying to find more uses for it, trying to broaden knowledge of the
building and people's awareness of this important structure in town," Piecuch
said.

The rail depot was built in 1866. The brick building replaced a wooden
structure that had burned down and was one of the first brick train depots in
New York state, said Horseheads Historical Society President Richard Margeson.

The building also served as a feed storage facility after it closed as a train
depot.

The historical society bought the building in 1995 and reopened it as a museum
on Sept. 18, 1999.

The society is planning a big celebration for Sept. 18 and is inviting
everyone in the community to submit ideas for the bash.

"Things we are looking at doing include having an event with as much
involvement from other organizations and people as possible. That will make it
a big event," Piecuch said.

"Things we are looking for from other organizations, it could be historical
groups, it could be displays if we can find space. If we could get an antique
car association, that would be a neat thing to add to the attraction. Maybe
the youth bureau, kids groups, food vendors possibly, anybody who has an idea
and wants to be a part of it. It's sort of like a festival. All ideas will be
considered."

The historical society also is looking for help to restore one aspect of the
building that is incomplete.

A large window on the track side of the building was removed and boarded over
back in the 1970s.

The telegraph agent sat inside that window, which bowed out, and could look
down the tracks to see trains coming into the station.

"That was torn off when the feed mill bought the building. We want to
re-create the bay window," Piecuch said.

"We have no photos that show it clearly. We're looking for anyone who has any
photos with pictures of the building that would show the bay window. We want
to include getting that done in time for the event. That's why we wanted to
get the word out now."

There's another reason the Horseheads Historical Society wants to make a big
deal out of the train depot celebration.

The group wants to get residents excited about local history and maybe
participate more in society activities.

"We would definitely love to do that. Like every volunteer organization, we
have problems getting enough people, having enough people," Margeson said.

"It's a relaxing thing to go over there and sit there. It's a simple thing,
but it's interesting if you poke your nose in the corners.

"There's just so much history, it's just amazing. I love it. I just love
history."

Jeff Murray is a staff writer for the Star-Gazette. Town and Country appears
every Sunday in the local section. If you have any items of interest from
suburban and rural Chemung County communities, call Jeff at (607) 271-8251.
You can also fax items at (607) 733-4408, or send Jeff an e-mail at
jdmurray_@_gannett.com.



=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
To Unsubscribe: http://lists.railfan.net/rshsdepot-photo/unsub.html

------------------------------