LIVERPOOL — When members of the Historical Association of Greater Liverpool (HAGL) performed their annual spring cleanup of the Liverpool Willow Museum on May 29, they found dime-sized piles of a sandy substance littering the museum floor.
Above the powdery piles, various woven willow artifacts were observed to be dotted with small round holes.
After consulting with Ray Aldrich, an experienced insect exterminator from All Pest of Syracuse, it was determined that the museum is infested by powderpost beetles. On May 31, Aldrich fumigated the museum which was donated 30 years ago by the Hurst family. The building had functioned as the Hurst’s willow workshop located behind their Oswego Street home since the 19th century.
While developing, powderpost beetle larvae spend months or years inside wood, or willow branches, feeding mainly on the starch content. Their presence is only apparent when they emerge as adults, leaving behind pinhole-sized openings, often called “shot holes.” An adult beetle is about the size of lead on a pencil tip.
“It’s hard to believe that something so tiny could be so destructive,” said HAGL Vice President Yvette Hewitt. “When Ray started spraying, the little beasties came running out of their holes. They’re a wee bit larger and darker than cat fleas. They’re in the picture frames, the stool, bench, the blocks of wood holding up the soaking bin.”
HAGL Secretary Joan Cregg first discovered the damage at the cleanup.
“The entire willow exhibit is at risk,” she said, “as are all the other wood products in the building.”
Several willow pieces – examples of the products produced by the parlor industry that thrived locally circa 1860-1930 – may be beyond saving, Hewitt said.
Since the exterminator’s work is guaranteed for six months, the museum has opened for its summer season, its first full season since 2019.
The Liverpool Willow Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays now through August.
Established on July 4, 1994, the museum comes complete with the tools used to make baskets as well as examples of work-in-progress and finished products.
The historical association provides funds and volunteers to staff and maintain the museum. Over the years, many village residents have donated Liverpool willow baskets and related artifacts to what has become a unique collection now displayed in the steamer building adjacent to the museum. Luckily, the steamer building has not been affected by the infestation.
For more information, contact Village Historian Dorianne Elitharp Gutierrez at 315-451-7091 or [email protected].
