We have been notified that the Historical Society will be receiving a conservation grant from the Lower Hudson Conference for the restoration of a gold frame that holds the tintypes (more correctly called ferrotypes) of the Ingham graduating class of 1861.

The frame is in such deplorable condition that we have never exhibited it. A couple of the tintypes have slipped and need to be remounted, but all of them appear to be in remarkable shape considering their age. What is also remarkable is that all of the photographs are identified on the back. The women include: Margaret Aldrich of Palmyra, New York; Anna Allen of LeRoy; Louise Aurand of Columbia, New York; Susie Bayard of Brooklyn; Harriet Reed Caldwell of Erie, Pennsylvania; Frances Colton of New York City; Sylvia Crysler of Clifton, Canada; Adeliza Deane from Conneaut, Ohio; Harriet Harmon of Ellicottville, New York; Susan Johnson from Oxford, Wisconsin; Mary Owen of West Suffield, Connecticut; Emma Parsons (probably the most noted of the 1861 graduates); M. Augusta Price of Elizabeth, New Jersey; C. Louisa Prouty of New London, Connecticut and Isabella Sayles of Cleveland, Ohio.

These students graduated while the Rev. Samuel Cox, Chancellor of Ingham was living in LeRoy House. His teenage daughter attended Ingham and later wrote her memories of student life and living in LeRoy House. Looking at these stoic portraits and recalling Miss Cox’s story of the illicit dance party held across the street at the Ingham dormitory which brought down the plaster ceiling, it is hard to imagine these girls kicking up their heels at a dance, however it did happen. And these young ladies were not much different from the students of today, in some ways.

The faculty was up town listening to a lecture while the girls were having their dance party. Madam Emily Ingham Staunton was not amused and came striding across the street to confront Chancellor Cox, demanding that he confront the students. After Madam Staunton left, Rev. Cox turned to his daughter and asked if she knew anything about the dance. She admitted that everyone had a great time and Rev. Cox smiled. The next day when he confronted the entire student body, he asked those who had participated in the frivolous dance to stand. His daughter was the first to stand and it was said that Rev. Cox had a hard time not smiling. He admonished the students to never hold a dance again, but did not level out any punishment, much to the chagrin of Madam Staunton.

It will take a little time to repair the frame, since almost all of the plaster on the outside face of the frame is missing. First the frame will be cleaned and consolidated. Then molds of the missing plaster will be made and pieces will be molded and adhered to the frame. A small plaster ornament has to be carved and inset into the frame and then the frame will be ingilded to match the original finish. The old mat board with the custom oval cuts will be cleaned and then a mylar barrier will be attached to the back to buffer the tintypes from the wooden matboard.

The tintypes have been taped to the back of the board, so the adhesive has to be removed and special mounting corners will be used to place the tintypes on the back of the matboard. New ultra violet protective glass will replace the old glass to provide additional protection to the tintypes.

Since the original wooden backerboard has all the names of the students it will be used in the new frame, but a 100% ragmat backboard will go between the wood and the tintypes.

The work is being done at Westlake Conservators in Skaneateles where we have had much of our conservation work done in the past. This is not an inexpensive project, so we are most thankful for the opportunity to utilize the funds available through the Lower Hudson Conference. This grant is one of many that have been awarded by the Lower Hudson through funds granted by the New York State Council on the Arts. Projects submitted by small museums in New York are given special attention by the review board. Although there was nearly $125,000 available, the total number of requests submitted amounted to twice that amount, so this year, only half of the requests were approved.

It will take a little time for the project to be completed and then the frame and its collection of tintypes will be on exhibit at LeRoy House.

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - August 17, 2008