Clara Wolcott Driscoll and the Tiffany Studios

Chagrin Falls Historical Society 21 Walnut St. Shute Memorial Building
Web Site: www.chagrinhistorical.org
John Bourisseau, Editor
(440) 247-4695
October, 2013
Ron Humphrey, Graphics Editor
Clara Wolcott Driscoll
and the Tiffany Studios
Thursday October 17
7:30pm Shute Building
A presentation by
Linda Alexander
Refreshments will be served
Page 2
CLARA WOLCOTT DRISCOLL AND
THE TIFFANY STUDIOS
New member
Roy Minoff
looking for volunteers. Please contact Anne
Burr at 440-241-2678 if you’d like to join this
fun group.
Anne Burr
Our October 17, program will feature Linda
STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE
Alexander speaking about her fourth cousin, Clara Wolcott Driscoll and her career at We met Wednesday September 18th to continue
the Tiffany Studios in NY.
the strategic planning process. We are making
Through family letters, Linda learned that good progress and hope to meet our deadline of
Clara, who grew up in Tallmadge, began being completed by the end of the year.
working for Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1888 Our discussions have led us to explore
and became supervisor of the Women’s Glass numerous activities for which we can make
Cutting Department when it was established some immediate changes. As you have seen,
in 1892. She discovered that Clara had de- we have changed our membership form. If you
attended the program September 19th, you
signed many of Tiffany’s iconic lamps, inwere asked to complete a short questionnaire in
cluding the award winning “Dragonfly and order for us to gather some basic information.
Water” shade.
We are also looking at some immediate means
In recent years, books have been written to solicit new members.
about Clara’s relationship with Tiffany and Another action item that we have undertaken,
in 2007, the exhibit “A New Light on Tiffa- is to try and clear additional workspace in
ny” opened at The New York Historical So- the Shute building by cataloging and storing,
ciety focussing on the work of the Women’s off-site, items in the collection. This coupled
Glass Cutting Department and giving long with the opportunity to acquire a number
of additional items with a strong Chagrin
overdue credit to Clara.
Linda will share the story of her research Falls connection means that funds for offsite, climate controlled, secure storage is an
and of finally getting Clara the recognition
immediate need.
she deserves.
Anne Burr
Our primary focus in the session Sept. 19th, was
SYLVIA WIGGINS TALK ON THE
on Goal #4 The Chagrin Falls Historical Society
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD A
will know its audiences, provide appropriate
programs for those audiences, and encourage
SUCCESS
A large group gathered on September 19, them to participate. We identified numerous
to hear Sylvia Wiggins, Chester Township objectives and tasks associated with this goal and
Historian, speak on the Underground set completion dates.
Railroad in our area and talk about quilts We also further explored and developed goals
and how they were used to convey messages and tasks for Goal #1--The Chagrin Falls
to its travelers. Using samples of many Historical Society will secure the physical
different patterns, Sylvia shared designs space, equipment, and materials needed
that: indicated the way north, offered advice to achieve its mission both now and in
on how to dress to go unnoticed, or served the future. and Goal #2 The Chagrin Falls
Historical Society will secure and responsibly
as a warning, to mention just a few.
Her talk was delightful and was followed by a mange the funding and resources needed to
question and answer period which indicated sustain its mission.
The Strategic planning team, which is composed
great interest in the subject.
Homemade cake was served by the of mostly executive board members, has made
Hospitality Committee.
Thank you the decision to begin the process of interviewing
Gretchen Hamann, Joe Roeder, Pat Zalba individuals who may be able to assist in fund
raising. It has become clear, that we are going to
and Anne Burr for the fine refreshments.
need to raise significant funds in the next few
Note: The Hospitality Committee is always
Page 3
years and it was felt that we should begin the process as
soon as possible.
We should have the results of the Strategic Planning
session typed up by the middle of the week. We then
provide a copy to Andy Verhoff, our consultant at
the Ohio Historical Society for input. Between now
and our next session, small groups are working on
exploring objectives and tasks related to various goals.
Copies of this ‘work in progress’ will be available at
the Historical Society.
John Bourisseau
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT UPDATE
Our oral history interviews continue with the help of
dedicated volunteers who contribute many hours of
interviewing, transcribing, filing and indexing. Two
new faces joining “the crew” are Valerie Gaudio and
Rose Pospisil adding to longtime volunteers: Gini
Fast, Zo Sykora, Laura Gorretta, Pat Zalba and Aeline
Moore. In addition to the oral interviews, we also
welcome your written memories of life and times in
Chagrin and vicinity, particularly the World War II
years. If you would like to contribute any information
in written form to add to our preservation of history,
please call or email the museum at 440-247-4695 or
ChagHist@gmail.com
Arline Moore
DON WINS OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
On Saturday October 5th, Don Barriball will travel
to Columbus to accept the Outstanding Individual
Achievement Award from the Ohio Local History
Alliance (OLHA). The OHLA is part of the Ohio
Historical Society. We were able to keep Don’s
nomination a secret from him, so this much deserved
award came as a complete surprise.
Individual Achievement Awards recognize people
who have made outstanding contributions to Ohio’s
historical societies or history museums or to the
understanding and appreciation of state or local
history. Nominees must meet the following criteria:
Be involved in a historical society, museum, or related
organization for at least five years.
Demonstrate activity and excellence in more than one
area of the organization’s operations.
If involved in teaching, demonstrate creativity in
teaching methods and expertise in local and state
history.
Don’s nomination included letters of support from
many of the surrounding historical societies, as well as
many individuals who admire and respect his work.
His nomination sited his many books, speaking
engagements, work as docent and the research he does
in response to requests for information.
Following is a quote from the nomination-“His knowledge of local history extends beyond the
boundaries of the Village of Chagrin Falls to include
most of the Chagrin Valley as can be seen from the
articles that he has written.
Just yesterday (July 25th) one of our newer members
remarked “what an amazing man” after spending
an hour with Don talking about topics ranging from
the history of the industry and buildings buildings in
downtown Chagrin to the effects of the use of Sulfides
during World War 2 up to the introduction of Penicillin.
Don is truly a gift!”
John Bourisseau
THANKS TO MANY
Thank You to the following people for their generous
donation to the various funds of the Chagrin Falls
Historical Society. Anita and Dell Duncan (Scrap
Zalba Scholarship Fund), Michelle McQuade (Century
Plaque Program), Lucy Beattie (In memory of Richard
Phelps Weber) Pat and George Clemens (In memory
of Marian Goldbach), Kim and Frank Kanzinger
(General Fund), Pat Hosmer (General Fund--in
recognition of John Bourisseau’s presentation to the
Chagrin Valley Woman’s Club), and to those who have
given to the Heritage Fund: Carol and Charles Haskett,
Betty Jo Runge, Brenda Hattendorf, Rod and Cinda
Chima, Karen and Lee Johns, Marilyn Wyville, Connie
Cadwell, Craig and Miki Thompson and David Macko.
Page 4
Curators Corner
Overview Calendar
October
2-6
5
8
12
17
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
Lolly the Trolley Historic District Tour 10:30 am Starts at Town
ship Hall. AND Walking Tour, Historic Downtown Falls, Gather at
Triangle Park Bandstand. (Tickets $10, required for both events)
Chagrin Falls Historical Society Board Meeting Shute Building,
9:30 am
Chagrin Valley Consortium of Historical Societies at Chester
Township Historical Foundation Village
Evening Program “Clara Wolcott Driscoll and the Tiffany Studios,”
Speaker, Linda Alexander, Shute Building, 7:30 pm. (Cider and
Donuts)
Thank You Safewalk Volunteers
Thank you John Bourisseau, Gretchen and Bill Hamann, Jan Hill, Barb Hubbard, Karen and Lee
Johns, Kim and Frank Kanzinger, Jo Roeder and Pat Zalba for helping the seventh and eighth graders find their clues in the historic site treasure hunt this past week. We thank you for giving your
time and energy for this event.
Accessions with a Chagrin Falls Connection
We received a black and white enlarged photograph of the former Federated Church Parsonage at 64
W. Washington St. taken by C. F. Photographer Nicholas N Boris. This home was originally built by
the Bullards in 1873.
Donor—Gini Fast
An original invitation was received. It was for the 56 anniversary of the (lodge) I.O.O.F. It reads as
follows: “The 56 Anniversary will be celebrated by a banquet---given by the Chagrin Falls Lodge,
No. 290, at the Opera House---April 26, 1880. Yourself and Ladies are cordially invited to be present.
Donor—Norma Bobbitt
A book, “The Stadium---100 Years of Chagrin Falls Tradition--1913-2013” written by Tom Mattern
and Scott Hageman. The book is autographed by co-author Tom Mattern.
Donor—Tom Mattern
Seven portrait photographs, circa 1870’s and earlier were received. They include portraits by Chagrin Falls photographers Shaw & Smith and M.C. Welch.
Donor—Susan Nibley
Happy Halloween!!
Pat E Zalba
Volunteer Curator