This week’s question: This is obviously a photo of a Merchants Bank. What do you know about the original building? When was it built and for what business? What is there now?
Last week’s answer: Last week’s mystery panoramic photo was taken in May, 1932. The occasion was dress rehearsal for a pageant commemorating the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birthday.
Fifty-seven of the 125 cast members are posed on the steps of the Baldwinsville Academy. They are: Front row: Ellen Chaplin, Beverly Melvin, Barbara Adsit, Caty Welden, Vera Fulmer, Blanche Skinner, Mrs. George Campbell, (Fred Fuess in front), Mrs. Ray McCarthy, Elizabeth Barnett, Marguerite Jones, Bertha Hosler, Mrs. Mack Storm, Mrs. W. Bliss, Arlene Kraft, Dorothy Price, Elizabeth McQuaid, Helena Ferguson, Virginia Pierce, Helen Cunliff, Faith Storm Graves.
Second row: John Miller, Olin Cramer, Dr. Earl Heaton, Bob Fuess, Edward Berney, Rev. Harry Reddick, George Reddick, Louis Stevens, J. Carl Connell Sr., Raymond McCarthy, Richard Abrams, Barton Meays, Ora Hunter, Charles Hudson, Seymour Furbush. The eight rows near left lamp post, starting from left in three rows: in front: Carl Connell, Jr., Frank Halligan; next row: unknown, Clifford Drake; next row: unknown, Mack Storm, Allen Reinhardt, Art Welden. Center, in front of doors: Richard Perkins, Thomas Patterson, Gardner Allen Davis. Near right lamp post, starting from left in two rows: in front: Charles Kraft, Lew Wright, Clarence Smith, Leila Smith Bates, Harvey Harris, Roy Whitmore; in back: Edward Godfrey, Homer Abbott, Wallace Johnson, Homer Smith.
The U.S. was in the midst of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, money was tight and optimism was low. In an effort to boost spirits, Congress declared that 1932 would be a year of celebration commemorating the bicentennial of the birthday of George Washington.
Mayor Edgar Tappan appointed Harry E. Elden chairman of the Baldwinsville Bicentennial Committee. The “official pageant” would be put on here. SU drama grad Marguerite Jones was appointed director.
The academy’s auditorium with its formal stage and 600 seats would be the venue. Jones studied the script, researched the personalities and physical descriptions of the characters, the dress and hair styles of the period and began searching for cast members. Rather than put out a general cast call, Jones observed local residents and matched their demeanor, size and age with the results of her research. Some of the “chosen” were reluctant to participate, but most of them gave in and joined the cast. The auditorium was large enough for an expanded cast, elaborate scenery and even a band. The production would be an extravaganza.
Residents and businesses pitched in with donations of fabric and building materials. Village seamstresses made costumes while carpenters and painters executed set designs. Posters were distributed liberally. Everyone was urged to join the effort.
Admission would be 25 cents to cover the cost of the production. Any excess would be donated to the Welfare Committee of the American Legion. The pageant was scheduled for June 2 and 3.
The event drew overflow crowds and lavish praise. A third performance followed the next week. The Syracuse newspapers featured photos, articles and headlines. “Hundreds Turned Away”…”The village presented its mammoth pageant-drama…having not only the effect of being a successful and beautiful production, but what is more important, lifting Baldwinsville from the rank of just another village to one of prominence in Central New York and stirring up the flame of community pride in its citizenry.”
The memory of that event was still being recalled in The Messenger more than 25 years later. Its spirit of community cooperation and civic pride continue to thrive yet today.
Fred Fuess called to say he is the little boy in the front row, although some have identified the boy as his brother, Bob Fuess.
“I was called Terry at that time and I’m sitting at the very front of the picture with my Scottie dog,” Fred said.
Email your guess to [email protected] or leave a message at 315-434-8889 ext. 310 with your guess by noon Friday. If you are the first person to correctly identify an element in the photo before the deadline, your name and guess will appear in next week’s newspaper, along with another History Mystery feature. History Mystery is a joint project of the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse and the Baldwinsville Public Library.
