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Lincoln
Near 10 years after the death of Daniel Webster, President Lincoln shared a story of Webster’s early life during a morning gathering at the White House in May of 1862.
“Did you ever hear the story of Daniel Webster and the schoolmaster?” Lincoln began.
He then shared how as a boy, Webster had been repeatedly punished by his teacher for coming to school with dirty hands. One day the teacher asked to look at them. As Daniel went forward he surreptitiously licked one palm, wiped it on his pants, then exhibited it. “Daniel,” said the teacher sternly, “if you will find another hand in this schoolroom as filthy as that, I will let you off this time.” The quick-witted Daniel promptly held out his other hand. “That will do,” sighed the teacher. “You may take your seat.”
Having concluded, Lincoln laughed as loud as any of his hearers.
From The Inner Life of Abraham Lincoln: Six Months at the White House by Francis B. Carpenter, (New York, 1867).
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What is it?
We’re been posting images of unusual implements to our facebook page in conjunction with our current “What is it?” museum exhibit.
The Goodell Bonanza Apple Peeler Corer was created by David H. Goodell whose Goodell company produce a variety of devices to aid in the processing apples and other fruits. Goodell became the Governor of Hew Hampshire in 1889.
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Portmanteaus
Just how did a 19th century French suitcase come to represent a unique category of words?
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Wendell Castle
A wonderful interview with Wendell Castle. Hard to believe its been 4 years since he left us.
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Cosmic Conversations
Cosmic Conversations with R.L. Thomas graduate and Asteroid Institute Executive Director Dr. Ed Lu with Ryan Wyatt, Senior Director of the Morrison Planetarium.
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A Taste of History
Stay tuned! Chef Walter Staib and the crew of the PBS television program “A Taste of History” were recently filming at Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, NY. The episode is expected to air in the spring of 2022 as part of the program’s 12th season.
Chef Staib demonstrates how food was prepared during the 18th century and has filmed episodes at a number of historical sites around the world.
Seasons 1-11 are available on the PBS website and are also available on Amazon Prime.
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Alexander Courage
“Galaxymphony” performed by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra in June of 2017.
Composer Alexander (“Sandy”) Courage describes how he came to write the theme song for the TV series “Star Trek” and reveals how he created the “swoosh” sound effect for the Enterprise!
There are more than a few Rochester connections to the Star Trek television series, but the first can be traced to the television show’s original theme song. The composer and conductor of the music for the first season of the original Star Trek series was Alexander “Sandy” Courage, who was a 1941 graduate of the Eastman School of Music.
One might wonder if during his studies in Rochester, did he ever venture down to the shores of Lake Ontario and take in the view of the stars at night.
Over the years, Courage worked on many movie and television productions including Papillion, Superman, and Indiana Jones. He often worked with his good friends and fellow composers, Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams.
Courage’s body of work is today part of the Eastman School of Music’s Sibley Music Library.
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Today is Tomorrow’s Yesterday
If history helps connects us to the past, then in a way it also helps connect us to the future. Today is tomorrow’s yesterday.
Despite decades of research done by our museum volunteers, there are still countless stories to be unearthed and told about the people, places, and events that have helped make our little community what it is today.
We love sharing those stories with you through our exhibits, school visits and tours, speakers and presentations, our website, and even a few new-fangled ways of communicating.
No one here is working for peanuts. (Well, except Chip.)
We are volunteers and work for the love of history and the pleasure of sharing Webster’s story with you.There is still no admission charge to visit the Webster Museum.
We rely on the kindness of our neighbors and friends to assist us in keeping the doors of the Webster Museum open.
Please join us in our efforts by becoming a member or by renewing your membership…today.
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Recognize these buildings?
You may not be where you think you are.
Any Guesses? Show the Answers
One 
Two 
Three 
One – Fulton, New York Municipal Building, architect: Ronald Sattelberg
Two – Columbus, Indiana Post Office, architect: Kevin Roche
Three – Klem Road South Elementary, architect: Ronald Sattelberg
You never quite know where curiosity will lead you. Webster isn’t the only place you will find buildings finished out in Panelbriks. Panelbriks are structural clay tiles that were produced by the Glen-Gery brick company in the late 1960’s into the early 1970’s. A salt compound was applied to the clay before firing to produce the varied coloration.
Klem South opened in September of 1971. (Read more about its history.) The Fulton Municipal Building and the Columbus, Indiana Post Office were built around the same time.
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Wendy Mills visits the museum
What a cool field trip to learn more about what Webster was like in the 1800s-1900s. The Webster Museum has reopened after an 18-month pandemic pause. Tom Pellett showed me around ..it’s a stroll around the old days. Open Tues, Thurs and Sat. @SPECNews1ROC #webster #community pic.twitter.com/2JH2NSy9Ya
— Wendy Mills (@WendyMillsTV) September 15, 2021
The Webster Museum
