Letter from Jim Renckens

Village Needs History Museum

Congratulations, Mayor Tillapaugh, on the wonderful job you are doing with the upgrades of our quaint little village. The streets, sidewalks, and now Doubleday Field and parking lot are outstanding. Our “Perfect Village” gets better and better thanks to you, Mayor Katz and the local village officials now and in the past.

But, there remains a large piece of perfect picture that remains missing. What is it Sharon Springs, Oneonta, Milford, Middlefield, Springfield Center, Cherry Valley and Richfield Springs have that we don’t? A local historical museum…a place to collect, share, teach our wonderful history. Nowadays there is no place to donate old photos, newspapers, books, articles of clothing and any artifacts that continue to exist in local attics, garages, cellars, a place to share our past with fellow Cooperstonians and visitors alike…What a shame.

But where would it be? How about the old A&P/CVS? No, too big. But how about Lou Jerson’s Pic and Pay/Sears/NAPA/Diastole? Now there is an ideal location—close to Doubleday Field, perfect size and parking, handicapped accessible. Hmmm. Just thinking.

Jim Renckens
Richfield Springs