Wednesday, August 6, 2015
The early sites plans of the Troy Historic Village show a small “well house” behind the 1927 Township Hall. According to some records, this brick building was used as a workshop. After the Caswell House was moved to its new foundation behind the Township Hall in 1968 (see 365 Story on April 3), community members started donating vintage furnishings, tools, and other artifacts to the museum. Among the donations were a foot-powered Chandler Price printing press manufactured in 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio; a Golding Jobber press with an electric motor, and a Model D, Dremont Proof Press. The Historical Commission and members of the Troy Historical Society decided to transform the “well house” into a Print Shop where these presses and other examples of nineteenth century printing equipment could be exhibited.
The photos that accompany this story illustrate the transformation that occurred in 1978. That same year the gazebo was constructed and the Wagon Shop was relocated to the Village from the Troy Corners area (see 365 Story February 6). Eight years later Steven Mehlenbacher donated type cases and a significant collection of type and typesetting equipment to be exhibited in the Print Shop.
Today the Print Shop, like the other historic buildings in the Village, serves as a furnished exhibit and a unique teaching area. During the 2014-15 School Year, 12,077 students, chaperones, and teachers participated in hands-on learning in the Village. Many spent time in the Print Shop where they rolled up their sleeves and used the Proof Press. All Education Programs offered through the Village are designed for specific grade levels and enhance required social studies curriculum content. The Village interpretive staff will begin taking reservations for the 2015-16 School Year on August 14. For more information about school fieldtrips click on the Plan a Visit button on the homepage.
Photos:
1971 Site Plan for what would become the Troy Historic Village
The brick walls of the old “well house” await transformation
Framing for the new clapboard
The Print Shop in the Village today
Learning by doing in the Print Shop
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
