Page 14 - November 2024 TC FINAL

14 November 2024 NHTownCrier.com

NEW HARTFORD

PAST TIMES November 2024
May 2022

NEW HARTFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

An 84-Year-Old Scrapbook from a 1940 6 Grade
th
At the end of September, the New Hartford Historical Society was contacted by members of the
Quayle family (formerly 29 Hillside Ave.) who were in possession of an incredible artifact from
Miss Mabel Pitkin’s 6 Grade Point School Class. Their Aunt, Catharine Ann Ruch (nee Shepard
th
and their mom’s sister) was a member of that class. On October 7 , the siblings: William “Tad”
th
(Class of 1969), Thomas (Class of 1971), and Louise (Class of 1979) Quayle and their
families came to the Society’s rooms in the basement of the very building where the
Scrapbook had its humble beginnings.
At the beginning of the 1940-1941 school year, Miss Pitkin split her class into 3 groups and
charged each group with a scrapbook project. The non-graded project was devised to encourage
her pupils to use their imagination, organizational skills and display examples of research,
handwriting skills and proficiency in geography. Remember, although the U.S. was not at war,
much of Europe and South East Asia was. Perusing this amazing piece of schoolwork was
incredible (and a little sad) as these sixth graders were intuitive enough to see that the country
was in an almost “pre-war” state even though the U.S. was officially in a neutral stance.
Catharine Ann Shepard led her group serving as President. Gertrude Partyka was Secretary,
Sharon Holden and Louise Horchner were the Artists, and Lois Foster was Historian. The group
was rounded out with Joseph (Joe) Abdella, Bernice Haskell, Louis Jones, David Roberts,
Josephine Romeo, and Annabel Teesdale. They called their project “Our Friendly Book”. Their
teacher, Miss Mabel K. Pitkin, taught at New Hartford for nearly half of her fifty-year teaching
career. She retired in June 1959. Miss Pitkin passed away January 23, 1979 just 3 months shy BECOME A
of her 90 birthday. Catharine Shepard Ruch passed away April 1 , 2016 in Modesto California MEMBER!
th
st
where she raised 6 children with her husband, Dr. Wallace Ruch. She was 86.
We are so thankful for Catharine, who spent 7-1/2 decades as guardian of this unique class Please stop in to visit us and
project and especially thankful for her niece and nephews who saw to it that this treasure has consider becoming a member.
been placed in our care! Membership fees are $15 for
Individual, $20 for families, $25 for
Friend/Contributor and $50 for
Corporate members. The Historical
Society is a non-profit, tax
deductible organization.

Planning a
Class Reunion?

Make the Historical Society
Museum a part of your itinerary!
Schedule the Saturday of your
reunion for your group to explore
Photos: our collection of yearbooks, scrap

Top Left: books, local relics and photos. Look
Scrapbook Cover up your New Hartford home!
Call 315-724-7258 to schedule
Top Right: your group.
Scrapbook Dedication
Museum is Open
Bottom:
Scrapbook Introduction To the Public

Currently by appointment.

FREE ADMISSION
New Hartford Historical Society
~ Membership Form ~ Village Point Apt. Building
Please check one of the following:
New Hartford Historical Society 2 Paris Road – 315-724-7258
[ ] $15 Individual Name: ~ Membership Form ~
oo
[ ] $20 Family Address:
oo
Please check one of the following:
oo
[ ] $25 Contributing
[ ] $20 Individual Name:
oo
[ ] $50 Corporate Phone:
oo
[ ] $25 Family Address:
oo
E-Mail:
$25 Contributing
oo
[ ] Renewal
[ ]
[ ] New Member Please send check made payable to:
[ ] $50 Corporate Phone:
oo
New Hartford Historical Society
E-Mail: P.O. Box 238
[ ] Renewal Please send check made payable to:
New Hartford, N.Y. 13413
[ ] New Member New Hartford Historical Society
* New rates for 2025 * P.O. Box 238, New Hartford, N.Y. 13413