Arcadia Historian has office at library

Recently appointed Town of Arcadia Historian Chris Davis will occupy space at the Newark Public Library on High Street.

The office is located to the left of the main circulation desk, and near the entrance to the Hoffman Clock Museum. Look for the historian's desk beneath the Gillette's Wall Map of Wayne County, NY (1858).

The 1858 wall map is one of the earliest county maps, showing Arcadia and all the hamlets, and a detailed map of Newark, then 39 years old (and only five years after incorporation). There's also a detailed map of Fairville. What seems to stand out on this map are the drumlins, with Arcadia having quite a number of the north-south geological land formations caused by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age.

We were left with a beautiful landscape, no doubt inspiring early settlers heading west to put down their roots. These 'hills' - Allerton's, Bailey's, Brantling, Shaw's, and Woodhill, are actually drumlins.

Feel free to stop by the historian's office in your convenience, open by chance or appointment. The library is open six days of the week, including four week nights. The library has a very good local history room. Most of the county and village reference books, including directories and atlases, are available (for use in the library). In the room, an oak rocking chair honoring Cecilia 'Bob' Jackson, town historian for many years (1968-1991), is in a most appropriate place.

Said Davis, 'Many thanks to the Newark Public Library, Ellie Dawson, director, and Peg Pelletier, for making this space available. The 104-year-old library seems to serve as the perfect place for such an office. Call me at 331.4078.'

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