I would like to thank everyone who sponsored, placed ads in our program, volunteered and attended our 60th Anniversary Gala! Kudos to the Gala Committee who did a fantastic job planning and implementing everything for the Gala. The Gala Committee consisted of Janet Wahlberg, Sharon Matson, Kaycee Colburn, Hannah Jaroszynski, Barb Cessna, Andrew Kolstee and (myself). Enjoy the photos of the Gala in this issue.
“Family Reunion” at the Fenton. The Chautauqua County Historical Society has loaned to the Fenton History Center two portraits that hung in the McClurg Museum in Westfield. The portraits on loan are Elizabeth Scudder Fenton and Josephine Fenton Gifford. Both portraits are by Daniel Huntington. The Fenton History Center owns the portrait of Gov. Reuben E. Fenton, by artist Constant Meyers and the portrait of Jeanette Fenton Hegeman Gilbert by artist Daniel Huntington. The four portraits are together in the Drawing Room where they probably were originally when the Fenton’s lived in the Mansion. It is nice to have them together again! The only thing missing from the portrait reunion is a portrait of Reuben Earle Fenton which was given to the Ira Lou Spring post, American Legion in 1924. The post had their meeting hall at the Fenton Mansion. The portrait was delivered to J. Russell Rogerson, Commander of the Ira Lou Spring post in 1927. The portrait of Reuben Earle was a gift from Josephine Fenton Gifford, Reuben Earle’s oldest sister. After it was given to the American Legion post the portrait was hung in the post’s Library on the second floor, which also happened to be the boyhood bedroom of Reuben Earle Fenton. Where is the portrait now? Does it still exist somewhere? If anyone thinks that they know of the whereabouts of Reuben Earle’s portrait, please give the Fenton a call.
The four portraits will be together in the Drawing Room until January 2024. Many thanks to the McClurg for loaning Josephine and Elizabeth to us. Come see the portraits: we are open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
