The building formerly known as the Alden Historical Society Building was given to the Town of Alden by Walden Roberts, owner and operator of Young’s Mill on Railroad Street, in memory of his wife, Frances Young Roberts, a charter member of the Society. Mr. Roberts’ stipulation was that the building was to be used by the Alden Historical Society as long as the Society existed. The Society held its first meeting in its new home in February 1967. Attendees were advised to bring their own chairs! The formal dedication took place on June 25, 1967.
The property on which the Center stands was part of a parcel of 230 acres purchased by Aaron Bunce from the Holland Land Company in 1819. Bunce sold the acreage to Thomas Farnsworth of Vermont for $686 in 1821. It is fairly certain that a portion of the building was constructed while Farnsworth owned the property. The beams in the basement are bark covered logs.
Farnsworth sold the property in 1841, and during the next decade the property changed hands at least four times. In 1852, the property was purchased by Frederick Lord and his family owned the house for the next 26 years until the death of his widow, Sabra, in 1878. Through bequests the house changed hands again several times. It was eventually sold to Henry Adams who then sold it to Maria Bowman in 1899.
Mrs. Bowman lived in the house with her invalid son, Clarence. Her older son, Dr. Carlos Bowman, lived and had his office across the street. Clarence died in 1914, Maria in 1915. She left the property to Carlos, who in turn sold it to Arthur and Alice Roberts in 1916.
Art Roberts, uncle of Walden Roberts, owned and operated the barber shop next door to the house. The shop is now part of the Alden Pharmacy.
For some time during the Roberts’ ownership of the house they boarded the New York State Trooper assigned to Alden. Art and Alice did not have a telephone, so when the trooper was needed, Pharmacist Ralph Stowell would blow a whistle from the nearby drug store (that had a phone) to summon him.
After Arthur’s death in 1958, Alice Roberts continued to live in the house until 1966 when she decided to enter a nursing home. It was then that she sold the house to her nephew, Walden. Roberts presented the house to the Town Board at its regular meeting on December 5, 1966.
The Historical Society moved in, in February 1967. Items that had been donated were brought out of storage to be displayed. Attics, sheds, and barns were searched for more items; and some items were purchased. That first year, 365 artifacts were numbered and catalogued; by the end of 1970 there were a total of 1258 artifacts catalogued. When more display space was needed, the men of the Society finished off the attic room and Walden Roberts made more display cases.
Other improvements have been made through the years. New windows were installed, as well as new siding. Some windows and doors were closed off and shelves installed in the spaces. Major repairs were made to the front porch and one end was enclosed to display the refurbished Studebaker buggy and other transportation related items.
It became apparent in the mid 1970s that more display and storage space were needed, as well as a larger meeting place. The tiny parlor could no longer accommodate the audiences at programs. The Society talked about asking the Town to purchase Art Roberts’ barber shop next door to use for storage and to hold books and files, and even an office for the Town Historian. That idea never came to fruition.
Then in October 1989, the Society was given over $26,000 from the Town Sesquicentennial Committee as seed money for an addition to the building. Fundraisers and a massive mail appeal to individuals and businesses raised the rest of the funds needed. Construction on the 1000 sq. ft addition began in 1995 with Charles Lynch as architect and Peter Skowron as contractor. Included in the plans were a handicap ramp and entrance and a handicap rest room. An open house for members was held on May 2, 1996, with an open house for the public the following day. The room was designated the “Ruth Davis Room” in 2005 in recognition of her almost twenty years as curator, and as the driving force behind the addition.
Storage space and display space are still at a premium even with more display cabinets added in the large room. Because of the limited space, donated artifacts are accepted only if they are Alden-related and “have a story”.
The Alden Town Board generously cares for the building with basic maintenance and special projects. A new roof was installed a few years ago. A camera surveillance system was installed to monitor visitor traffic and deter pilferage. In 2011, a new fire, smoke and intrusion alarm system was installed. Most recently, air conditioner/dehumidifiers were installed on both the first and second floors to help protect the more than 7,000 artifacts and archival items.
What does the future hold for the Alden Heritage Center? With the name change, there will be a new focus on the people who lived and worked in Alden as the Society begins preparations for the Town’s Bicentennial celebration in 2023.
Credit to Karen Muchow, Alden Town & Village Historian