Valentown Museum's
Buck-a-Board Fundraiser
Buy A Piece of History With all proceeds going to replace Valentown's deteriorating siding
125 years after Victor's historic landmark, Valentown Hall was built, time and weather have finally taken their toll on its original wood siding. Boards are deteriorating, nails rusting and knots shrinking and falling out exposing timbers to the elements and enticing birds to nest within.
Valentown Hall was originally built in 1879, in anticipation of the coming of the railroad near the Ichabod Town homestead. His grandson, Levi Valentine saw an opportunity to create a commerce center and community gathering place - housing a general store, harness shop, bakery, cobblers shop, art, music and business schools. Meeting rooms provided space to hold Temperance and other religious meetings. A large Grange room was prominently featured where area farmers could gather to discuss agricultural and business issues and the entire third floor housed a grand ballroom and 2 anterooms. The basement stables could accommodate up to 80 horses while their riders socialized and studied to become better citizens of the community. Early families met regularly for dances and community dinners at this busy commercial and social hub.
Sadly, the railroad ran out of money before their rail lines past Valentown could be completed and the merchants fell on hard times without that anticipated increase in business. Eventually, the building was slated for demolition. In 1940, J. Sheldon Fisher bought Valentown Hall and restored much of it to house his antique business, his family and already impressive collection of local artifacts - creating Valentown Museum.
In 1998, Mr. Fisher, too, fell on hard times and The Victor Historical Society stepped in to rescue, not only the spectacular wooden 5-story building, surrounding secondary structures but his many thousands of artifacts and heirlooms from disbursement at bankruptcy, however, not without a hefty mortgage and monthly expenses.
Through exhaustive efforts, VHS Board members and other dedicated volunteers have been barely able to meet monthly expenses yet are slowly repairing the homestead buildings, continue to manage the collections of collections purchased and bring the long-neglected Valentown Museum back up to code. Temporary siding patches have been put into place but the fact is that nearly all of the century-old wood needs to be replaced. Valentown Square is solely self-funded at this point. Now it needs your attention and generosity.
Following the Victor Historical Society's mission to preserve history we are offering to the public a unique chance to own a piece of history while helping to finance the lumber and labor for this re-siding project. All donations are tax deductible under our 501C3 status and monies will be placed directly into the Restoration Fund.
In return for their donations, contributors will receive a one-foot section of the old, original, beautifully-aged, Valentown siding and a Certificate of Authenticity. Various levels of contributions starting at only $20 and up to corporate levels are available with special corresponding benefits. For more details on how to receive YOUR piece of Valentown history and information about levels of sponsorship, visit our website at: http://www.valentown.org/.
We urge you, your family or business to take advantage of this great way to help preserve this important historic structure that was so important to the area pioneers families. Feel a sense of civic pride in supporting its restoration.
With community caring and support once more, Valentown Museum can continue to educate and entertain generations of young and old.
Thank you for your support.
the Board of Directors, Victor Historical Society | 
