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The contents of the historic stone house known as “Woodchuck Knoll” of Emmons Farms in Emmons will be sold at unreserved auction on Saturday, July 15. Emmons Farms evolved from the early 1800s lumber business that was begun by Asa Emmons on a large tract of land in Otsego County. The Upper Susquehanna River afforded the transportation of lumber by raft from Emmons to a ready market in Baltimore. Later generations continued development of the extensive property into a working farm that included hops growing, dairy farming and animal husbandry.
Woodchuck Knoll was built in the early 20th century by later descendants of the Emmons family, the Morgans. Woodchuck Knoll not only evolved over the decades to become the headquarters of Emmons Farms Corporation, a family-held real estate corporation with real estate holdings on over 300 contiguous acres, but also became a wonderful summer-use home for many generations of the family to enjoy.
A broad spectrum of antiques was added to the Woodchuck Knoll collections over the years by various family members. Important among the estate furniture is a wonderful Renaissance Revival matching seven-piece parlor set made by John Jelliff, eminent furniture maker of the Victorian period. Other articles of note from the estate include a beautiful marble top center table, also attributed to Jelliff; a stone mantle clock marked Tiffany, New York; a large signed Tabriz Oriental carpet, plus others; a pair of circa 1820 oil on canvas portraits; a large selection of both formal and country furniture; plus textiles, ceramics, metalware, and local (Oneonta area) books of historical importance. The sale begins at 10 a.m. at 2591 State Route 7, Otego. The auction may be previewed on July 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and beginning at 8 a.m. the day of sale.
The Poverty Hill Band—featuring local musicians Jeff Phillips (banjo and vocals), Erik House (fiddle), Hanna Kubica (guitar and vocals), and Tim Peters (mandolin)—will perform at the Windfall Dutch Barn on Saturday, July 15. The Windfall Dutch Barn is a pre-revolutionary restored structure, seated on its original site, located at 2009 Clinton Road in the hamlet of Salt Springville. The site was used as a resting and feeding place during the wagon march by General Clinton on the way to the Susquehanna River—400 boats, loaded on wagons, and 3,000 patriots—during the Revolutionary War. The Poverty Hill Band American Folk repertoire includes old-time songs and original tunes. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10.00.
The July 16 Summer Sunday Series program at the Swart-Wilcox House Museum will feature local stories and tales with author Tom Morgan. Morgan will share excerpts from his book “Ales, Tales & Ghosts,” recounting adventures at his families’ Empire Hotel in Gilbertsville, and from his “Trial in Cooperstown,” an account of the March 2006 manslaughter trial of Timothy Beckingham. The Summer Sunday Series is free and open to the public. Programs are held from 1-3 p.m. on the front lawn of the museum property and are handicap accessible. Attendees are encouraged to bring a folding lawn chair. The Swart-Wilcox House Museum is located at 24 Wilcox Avenue in Oneonta. From Main Street, turn on River Street and then left at the light on to Wilcox Avenue. Parking is available on the street, in the Riverside parking lot or on the lawn.