A talk with Newark-Arcadia Historical Society’s John Zornow, board member
“Born of the Erie Canal” is a term used to describe the Village of Newark. What does this mean?
Newark is the only village in Wayne County that owes it entire existence to the Erie Canal. In 1819 after completing his contracts to build 1-3/4 miles of the waterway through this area, Captain Joseph Miller purchased 102 acres in the area we now call Newark, then named it Miller’s Basin. He laid out streets that still exist and established what we now call a “planned community.” West and East Miller streets in Newark are named after him.
The Erie Canal is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. What kind of festivities is Newark planning?
The Newark-Arcadia Historical Society at 120 High Street is finishing its museum display that will chronicle the entire history of the Erie and Barge canal in the main display room. The society will also participate in many county-wide events honoring the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.
Arch Merrill, a famous writer and historian who covered the Finger Lakes Region, once wrote that “Every day is Arbor Day in Newark,” referring to the many nurseries in and around the village. Tell us a little more about that legacy. Do nurseries still have a strong presence?
In 1852, Charles W. Stuart purchased a farm on the north portion of Newark that had several acres of young fruit trees. In need of income, he hitched up his wagon and went door to door selling the trees. The company C.W. Stuart Nursery and Newark’s direct selling companies were established by Stuart to compete with each other. Soon, Newark was headquarters of the C.W. Stuart Companies, one of the nation’s largest wholesale nurseries.
In 1872, the firm of Jackson & Perkins started a truck farming business supplying fruits and vegetables to such places as the Clifton Springs Sanitarium. Partner Charles Perkins became interested in growing roses and by 1903 had produced the patented Dorothy Perkins Rose which won honors in England. The success of the Jackson & Perkins Co. like the C.W. Stuart Companies contributed a great deal to the quality of life in Newark that still exists today, even though the nursery companies no longer exist here.
What other aspects of Newark’s history make it unique and special?
The Newark area is home to several unique cobblestone homes and as well as substantial residences that line East Avenue. Many talented builders lived and worked in Newark, such as E.A. Krabbenschmidt, who designed and built many of the buildings at Wells College as well as Charles Caboor, a local builder who designed and built many of the 1950s residences.
Tell us about the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society. Where is it located and what exhibits is it showing this year?
The Newark-Arcadia Historical Society is located at 120 High Street, one block from downtown Newark and directly opposite the Newark Public Library and Hoffman Clock Museum. Permanent exhibits featured tell the history of Newark’s Sarah Coventry Co., Jackson & Perkins Nursery, Hallagan Furniture Manufacturing Co. (in their 112th year), Newark’s canning companies, and the founding of Spiritualism. Our newest exhibit is the Browniekar, a children’s car manufactured in Newark in 1909. Christopher Davis is the executive director and curator of the museum.
What else can a guest expect to experience when visiting the historical society?
The museum is open 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the summer. We are always happy to arrange tours by appointment. Our restored 1976 schoolhouse has summer hours of 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
What are the future plans for the historical society?
Future plans include updating of exhibits, introducing new exhibits that chronicle life in our town and village, and ways to attract visitors and increase membership.
To learn more about the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society, its exhibits and upcoming events, visit newarkarcadiamuseum.org.
