The Grape Belt Archive

Items

• Photograph of clipped grapevine with 25 grape bunches
  Black and white photograph of clipped grapevine with 25 grape bunches, labeled as concords.
• Welch's Grape Clip Art Print
  Welch's Grape Clip Art Print, depicts 3 black and white grapes of bundles hanging from one another in a line. Each bundle is tied with a ribbon and the Welch's logo is displayed over top.
• Wine-related Excerpt from the 1873-4 Gazetteer and Business Directory of Chautauqua County NY
  Excerpt from the Gazetteer and Business Directory of Chautauqua County NY, 1873-74 showing Wines & Liquors and Wine Manufacturers. Selection is black text on white paper, listed as page 406. Double black line border contains section. Full text below. note that cities listed apply for each entry below with a quotation mark until a new city is listed. ------------------------ WINES AND LIQUORS, Barrett, J. & M., (wholesale liquors,) corner Deer and East Third Sts, Dunkirk COBB, A. S., (wholesale,) Front St., McCarthy, John, (wholesale and retail,) corner Lion and Griswold Sts., RISLEY & CO., (wholesale and retail,) East Front St., Smith, S. P., (wholesale liquors,) Center St., COUCH, WARREN Jr., (wholesale,) 12 Allen Block, Main St., Jamestown Ellicott Furlow, Daniel H., 7 Main St., Jamestown Henry, Wm., 12 East Third St., Jamestown Taylor, Solon, Forestville Hanover QUIGLEY, THOS., (wholesale,) Portland WINE MANUFS. BROCTON WINE CELLAR, Ryckman, Day & Co., Brocton, Portland Brotherhood Wine Co., Harris Association, (Salem-on-Erie,) Brocton FULLER, RALPH D., ONTHANK, Wm. D., Skinner, Andrew J., Brocton Portland [further entries do not pertain to wine or grapes]
• 1866 Letter from Lake Shore Grape Association Regarding Upcoming Paris Expo
  One page transcribed letter, dated March 1866, from J. P. Dake, President of the Lake Shore Grape Growers' Association, and M. B. Bateham, Secretary of the Lake Shore Grape Growers' Association, regarding recently adopted resolutions at the Lake Shore Grape Growers' Association. Transcriber or date of transcription unknown. Full text of letter below. ----------------------------------------- Dear Sir : At the annual meeting of the Lake Shore Grape Growers’ Association, held in Cleveland the past month, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted : “ Whereas, the Emperor of the French has invited our Government to send to the approaching World’s Exposition at Paris American products and works of art ; and since it is our belief that the wines made in our country, especially in the regions embraced in this Association, will compare favorably with the best specimens produced in Europe, Resolved, That we learn with great pleasure that one of our directors, Wm. Griffith, Esq., purposes attending the Paris Exhibition in 1867, and that we hereby appoint him our representative there, and request him to take in charge all specimens furnished by members of this Association. Resolved, That we earnestly request all our members, and others interested, to forward specimens of native wine and brandy, for this purpose, to William Griffith or J. E. Mottier, South Shore Vineyards, North East, Pennsylvania. Resolved, That we request Mr. Griffith to procure all the information he can obtain in regard to grape culture and wine making in his proposed tour in Europe, and report the same to this Association.” In behalf of the grape and wine interests of the United States, and in obedience to instructions of our Society, we beg leave to invite your co-operation in furtherance of the object of the above resolutions. Mr. Griffith is one of the most extensive and successful grape and wine producers in this country, and we take pleasure in recommending him as a gentleman every way competent and worthy to represent these interests at the Paris Exposition. We, therefore, respectfully request you to send to him, for this purpose, specimens of wines made from native grapes, by yourself or others. The wines must be pure, free from addition of sugar, or other extraneous substance ; at least two bottles of each variety, distinctly labelled, giving name of grape, location of vineyard, name and residence of maker, date, &c. ; to be sent to William Griffith, North East, Pa., so as to reach there not later than 1st November, 1866, when they will be inspected and classified by a committee, consisting of L. F. Allen, of New York ; J. A. Warder and Charles Carpenter, of Ohio; and J. E. Mottier and Wm. Griffith, of Pa. For further particulars, address William Griffith, North East, Pa., who will be happy to answer all questions. J. P. Dake, President. M. B. Bateham, Secretary. Flushing, March, 1866.
• Erie Hotel Advertisement
  Erie Hotel Advertisement flyer on tan-manila paper, words in a grapevine scene. It says "ERIE HOTEL, In connection with, Dining Saloon in Depot, Dunkirk, N.Y. This Hotel is large and one of the most superbly fitted in Western New York. The Dining Rooms are at all times supplied with the, Choicest Delicacies of the Season! In the line of, Fruit, Vegetables, Game &C., Which will be served up at all hours in a style to suit the palate of any epicure. There is in connection with the Hotel, a Sample Room, filled with the, CHOICEST WINES & LIQUORS, Also a, BILLIARD PARLOR, For the accommodation of the Guests of the House. Guests will find this a convenient and first-class place to stop at. JAS. GERRANS, Prop."
• Photograph of a Lake Shore Vineyards Grape Box
  Photograph of a Lake Shore Vineyards Grape Box. Box is worn and has a printed blue thatch design all over it. A green border inside which "Best Selected Grapes" appears in green ink centered at the top. Under which is a colored drawing of purple grapes in three bunches on a vine. Under it in green ink "Lake Shore Vineyard tm, Box made by the Westfield Box Co., Westfield, Chaut. Co., N.Y."
• Scrapbook page with three documents relating to H.H. Meyer's involvement in the American Meat Institute Foundation
  Scrapbook page with three documents relating to H.H. Meyer's involvement in the American Meat Institute Foundation, in which he was a Board of Directors member. The first on the top half is a telegram dated June 4, 1943, regarding an appointment with the war meat board. The second, on the left bottom corner of the page, is a list of the directors of the meat institute foundation, with no date. And the third is a newspaper clipping titled "Heads of meat foundation chosen" with handwritten notation "Republican 1944, Westfield N. Y. November (unk) 1944" and is about the newly formed American Meat Institute Foundation.
• Letter from M.B. Prince, General Attorney of the Erie Railroad Company to Charles H. Hays of the Keystone Cooperative Grape Association, dated February 2, 1924
  Letter from M.B. Prince, General Attorney of the Erie Railroad Company to Charles H. Hays of the Keystone Cooperative Grape Association, dated February 2, 1924. The letter is in reference to a court case in San Francisco, California.
• Group photo of the Keystone Cooperative Grape Association Board of Directors in North East, PA
  Black and white, group photo of the Keystone Cooperative Grape Association Board of Directors in North East, PA, May 14, 1924. 12 men in mostly dark suits, 7 standing and 5 sitting. Caption reads "Board of directors of Keyston Grape Association, North East, PA Picture was taken May 14, 1924. Seated left to right: F. W. Haskell; G. Will Butt; Robert Dill; C. E. Leet: D. C. Bostwick; Standing left to right: D. H. Luce, Secretary; A. D. Phillips; A. Blaine Robinson; H. Harold Meyer, General Manager & Treasurer; Charles H. Hays, President; F. B. Crawford, Vice President; I. H. Russell."
• Artistic rendering of the H.H. Meyer Packing Co. in Cincinnati, OH
  Black and white, Artistic rendering of the H.H. Meyer Packing Co. in Cincinnati, OH. It has a border around the illustration, and in the top left corner is written "The H. H. Meyer Packing Co., Since "Partridge" 1876, Cincinnati, Ohio". Underneath is a landscape of the plant in front, and the town and hills beyond.
• Black and white portrait of Henry Harold Meyer at age 6, taken August 30, 1894
  Black and white portrait of Henry Harold Meyer at age 6, taken August 30, 1894. The caption says "Henry Harold Meyer age 6 years taken at Westfield NY. June before father was taken. Born Aug. 30, 1888"
• Document of combined sources relating to H.H. Meyer and his various business dealings
  Document of combined sources relating to H.H. Meyer and his various business dealings. Including a description of the origins of the company, a timeline of the business, and several newspaper articles.
• Black and white portrait of H. Harold Meyer in 1974, during his time as Chairman of the Board for the H.H. Meyer Packing Co
  Black and white portrait of H. Harold Meyer in 1974, during his time as Chairman of the Board for the H.H. Meyer Packing Co. Underneath the portrait it says "Credit Moffett Chicago, H. Harold Meyer General Manager, Secretary and Treasurer - June 1926 to 1932 President and General Manager - 1932 to 1964 Chairman of the Board - 1964 to 1974 of The H. H. Meyer Packing Company."
• Sepia toned photograph of 39 grape pickers posed by a horse pulled carriage with grape baskets
  Sepia toned photograph of 39 grape pickers posed by a horse pulled carriage with grape baskets
• Sepia toned photograph of 31 grape pickers posed by a horse pulled carriage with grape baskets. Inscription on top barely legible "__ Peterson Marian Jordan"
  Sepia toned photograph of 31 grape pickers posed by a horse pulled carriage with grape baskets. Inscription on top barely legible "__ Peterson Marian Jordan"
• Sepia toned Photograph of 21 grape pickers standing by a vineyard with baskets. Photograph is inscribed "A.W. & G. Will Butt"
  Sepia toned Photograph of 21 grape pickers standing by a vineyard with baskets. Photograph is inscribed "A.W. & G. Will Butt" A. W. Butt, or Alonzo Butt, was farmer in North East, Pennsylvania
• Letter dated December 1, 2010 from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard regarding materials donation and enclosed photos and magazines
  One page letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard regarding materials given to the resource network, as well as enclosed items of interest. Dated December 1, 2010 Letter is printed on letterhead for the The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network (including a typographical error in the word "Chautauqua." Full text of letter below: MEMO FROM: John Thomas Slater DATE: TO: SUBJECT: December 1, 2010 Marshall D. Brainard Enclosed Dear Marshall, Since it has been some time since we last spoke, I want to thank you again for all of the fabulous material you have furnished to the Resource Network over the past year. I am sincerely appreciative of your kindness and your support of our ongoing research project involving the Chautauqua Erie Grape Belt and its history. Enclosed are a few items I hope you will find of interest. The first is a complimentary copy of the Fall issue of Western New York Heritage Magazine, which contains a lead feature article under my by-line entitled “Before There Was Grape Juice.” In it, I have traced the evolution of the Concord table grape shipping business in Chautauqua County, New York and Erie County, Pennsylvania and am pleased to inform you that the Brainard Shipping Company is given mention. There is also a photo of C. L. Brainard with his crew at Brainard’s Switch, which was provided from the collection of the Portland Historical Museum. This appears to be the same photo that is in your book on the Brainard family. Thanks to a colleague of mine in Fredonia, we have located a Brainard Basket Mfg. Co. Inc. delivery receipt dated July 15, 1930. This item has been digitized and is now part of our growing archive. I am enclosing a copy for your files. Another friend and colleague, Westfield Village Historian Marybelle Beigh, discovered several newspaper ads while researching another subject in the Westfield Republican an provided me with scans, copies of which are also enclosed. Please accept these items with my compliments. I found them to be quite interesting, since so little similar material on the Brainard Basket Mfg. Co. has previously been discovered. I trust all is well and hope you will accept my sincerest best wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season. Cordially [Signature]
• Letter dated February 6, 2010, from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, regarding Brainard family history and the grape belt archive
  One page letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, regarding Brainard family history and possible additions to the growing digital grape belt archive. Dated February 6, 2010. Letter is printed on letterhead for the The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network (including a typographical error in the word "Chautauqua." This document corresponds with 4004.440b Full text of letter below: MEMO FROM: John Thomas Slater DATE: TO: SUBJECT: February 6, 2010 Marshall D. Brainard Brainard History Dear Marshall, First of all, I want to thank you again for sending the copy of your book on the Brainard family. You have done an extraordinary job of telling the story of your ancestors and, as I told you in our last telephone conversation, the portion of the book relating to the business ventures of your grandfather, Uncle Frank, and your father is of tremendous value to those of us who have been researching the history of the grape industry. I must apologize for the tardiness of my follow-up, but I wanted to have the opportunity to discuss your book and the illustrations with a couple of my colleagues before requesting any additional material from you for our growing Grape Belt Archive. This communication took a bit longer than I had expected due to some scheduling difficulties. However, I have come up with a list of items that you have used in the book that we think would make excellent additions to the digital archive. The list of these items is attached. Since there were several hi-quality copies you had previously sent me, those are not included. The items listed are primarily photos that you used as illustrations and would be of great value to us who are working to preserve the legacy of the various companies and businesses that operated as part of the grape industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries; as well as the individuals who made those companies successful. We sincerely appreciate your support for our ongoing research project and hope you will consider providing hiresolution copies of the items listed herewith. In the meantime, I hope the New Year has brought you good health and I will look forward to talking to you again soon. Cordially,
• Johnson Estate bottle label for Pink Delaware, 1977
  Bottle label from Pink Delaware Wine of 1977, Johnson Estate Winery label. Label is rectangular with rounded edges and a gold tone border. Label is printed in black, red, and gold. Text centered near top "Johnson ESTATE New York State, Pink Delaware Wine, Alcohol 12% by volume." Below that is a printed red and black line drawing of a farm with several buildings in the background with rows of vines angled toward the back of the image. Below is text "Grown, Produced, and Bottled by, Frederick S. Johnson Vineyards, Westfield, Chautauqua County, New York." Frederick Johnson (1877-1960). He immigrated to Canada in the late 1800s and later to NYS to study entomology at Cornell. In 1908, Johnson purchased a farm near Freelings Creek in Westfield, NY, planting fruit orchards and Concord vineyards, naming the farm Sunnyslope Fruit Farm. Johnson worked as an entomologist with the Department of Agriculture in both Washington, D.C. and in North East, PA. In 1920, he built an apple cold storage facility using timber from an 1860's dairy barn found on the farm. According to family lore, Johnson started making wine in the basement of the farmhouse during Prohibition. The founder's son Frederick Spencer Johnson grew up on the family farm and following service in WWII, graduated from Cornell University in 1946. He worked in agriculture overseas until 1960 when he returned to the farm after his father died. He removed the aging fruit orchards and claims to have been first farmer in Western New York to plant French-hybrid wine grapes in a region completely dominated by Concord and Labruscan juice grapes. His favorite French hybrid grape was Chancellor. Frederick Spencer officially opened the winery in 1961, receiving New York Farm Winery license No. 2. As of 2023, this winery is still in operation. Corresponds with 4004.115b
• Johnson Estate bottle label for Dry Red, 1977
  Bottle label from Dry Red Wine of 1977, Johnson Estate Winery label. Label is rectangular with rounded edges and a gold tone border. Label is printed in black, red, and gold. Text centered near top "Johnson ESTATE New York State, Dry Red, Wine, Alcohol 12% by volume." Below that is a printed red and black line drawing of a farm with several buildings in the background with rows of vines angled toward the back of the image. Below is text "Grown, Produced, and Bottled by, Frederick S. Johnson Vineyards, Westfield, Chautauqua County, New York." Frederick Johnson (1877-1960). He immigrated to Canada in the late 1800s and later to NYS to study entomology at Cornell. In 1908, Johnson purchased a farm near Freelings Creek in Westfield, NY, planting fruit orchards and Concord vineyards, naming the farm Sunnyslope Fruit Farm. Johnson worked as an entomologist with the Department of Agriculture in both Washington, D.C. and in North East, PA. In 1920, he built an apple cold storage facility using timber from an 1860's dairy barn found on the farm. According to family lore, Johnson started making wine in the basement of the farmhouse during Prohibition. The founder's son Frederick Spencer Johnson grew up on the family farm and following service in WWII, graduated from Cornell University in 1946. He worked in agriculture overseas until 1960 when he returned to the farm after his father died. He removed the aging fruit orchards and claims to have been first farmer in Western New York to plant French-hybrid wine grapes in a region completely dominated by Concord and Labruscan juice grapes. His favorite French hybrid grape was Chancellor. Frederick Spencer officially opened the winery in 1961, receiving New York Farm Winery license No. 2. As of 2023, this winery is still in operation.
• Official envelope with logo and contact information for Chautauqua & Erie Grape Belt Resource Network
  Master copy of official envelope with logo and contact information for Chautauqua & Erie Grape Belt Resource Network. Logo is black and white text and line art. Logo has a thick black line in a circle around the outside edge, with "Chautauqua & Erie Grape Belt" around the outside edge inside the thick line. A small ribbon banner across the bottom contains the word "Network" above a line art image of a pair of leaves. A thinner black circle closer to the center separates the previous words from a line art image of a basket overflowing with grapes and grape leaves, and the word "Resource" over the basket. Black text to the right of the logo "The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network, Post Office Box 243, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-0243" Envelope was used for official resource network correspondence. Includes the logo and a return address to Niagara Falls, NY
• Johnson Estate bottle label for Vin Blanc, 1975
  Bottle label from Vin Blanc Wine of 1975, Johnson Estate Winery label. Label is rectangular with rounded edges and a gold tone border. Label is printed in black, red, and gold. Text centered near top "Johnson ESTATE New York State, Vin Blanc, White Wine, Alcohol 12% by volume." Below that is a printed red and black line drawing of a farm with several buildings in the background with rows of vines angled toward the back of the image. Below is text "Grown, Produced, and Bottled by, Frederick S. Johnson Vineyards, Westfield, Chautauqua County, New York." Frederick Johnson (1877-1960). He immigrated to Canada in the late 1800s and later to NYS to study entomology at Cornell. In 1908, Johnson purchased a farm near Freelings Creek in Westfield, NY, planting fruit orchards and Concord vineyards, naming the farm Sunnyslope Fruit Farm. Johnson worked as an entomologist with the Department of Agriculture in both Washington, D.C. and in North East, PA. In 1920, he built an apple cold storage facility using timber from an 1860's dairy barn found on the farm. According to family lore, Johnson started making wine in the basement of the farmhouse during Prohibition. The founder's son Frederick Spencer Johnson grew up on the family farm and following service in WWII, graduated from Cornell University in 1946. He worked in agriculture overseas until 1960 when he returned to the farm after his father died. He removed the aging fruit orchards and claims to have been first farmer in Western New York to plant French-hybrid wine grapes in a region completely dominated by Concord and Labruscan juice grapes. His favorite French hybrid grape was Chancellor. Frederick Spencer officially opened the winery in 1961, receiving New York Farm Winery license No. 2. As of 2023, this winery is still in operation.
• Chautauqua & Erie Grape Belt Resource Network logo
  Chautauqua & Erie Grape Belt Resource Network logo in black and white text and line art. Logo has a thick black line in a circle around the outside edge, with "Chautauqua & Erie Grape Belt" around the outside edge inside the thick line. A small ribbon banner across the bottom contains the word "Network" above a line art image of a pair of leaves. A thinner black circle closer to the center separates the previous words from a line art image of a basket overflowing with grapes and grape leaves, and the word "Resource" over the basket.
• Agenda for presentation by John T. Slater, "The Lost Legacy of the Lake Erie Grape Belt," April 24, 2009
  Agenda for a presentation "The Lost Legacy of the Lake Erie Grape Belt" given at the Darwin R. Barker Historical Museum on April 24, 2009 by John T. Slater Full text of black and white two page digital document (front page has blue border and includes black line art image of bunch of grapes on front page) [Page 1] The Barker Historical Museum Presents THE LOST LEGACY OF THE LAKE ERIE GRAPE BELT By John Thomas Slater April 4th 2009 at 1:30 in the Barker Library’s Steele Meeting Room Followed by a panel discussion on the preservation of this county’s agricultural heritage Call (716) 672-2114 for more information [Page 2] Lake Erie Grape Belt History Program Hosted by the Darwin R. Barker Historical Museum • Fredonia, New York Saturday April 4, 2009 Join us for an afternoon devoted to the history and legacy of the Lake Erie Grape Belt. The rich heritage of the oldest and largest Concord grape-growing region in the world will be the subject of a two-part program to be held at the Darwin R. Barker Museum’s Steele Room on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 1:30 PM. This program is open to anyone interested in local history and the preservation of material, data, and images associated with the Lake Erie Grape Belt. Admission is free. 1:00 PM Doors open 1:30 PM The Lost Legacy of the Lake Erie Grape Belt A PowerPoint program presented by John Thomas Slater This fascinating presentation will focus on images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that represent a lasting legacy of the Chautuaqua-Erie region that must be preserved for future generations. This program was made possible through the cooperation of the Chautauqua County Historical Society’s McClurg Museum, The Patterson Library, The Portland Historical Museum, the Dunkirk Historical Museum, The Hanover History Center, The D.K. Barker Historical Museum, The North East Historical Society, The Harborcreek Historical Society, and Cornell University’s Lee Library. 2:15 PM Question & Answer Period 2:30 PM Break 2:45 PM Panel Discussion - Preserving the Legacy Scheduled Participants: Vincent Martonis - Town of Hanover Historian - Silver Creek, NY The importance of identifying and preserving personal and family collections of Grape Belt and grapeindustry material. Marybelle Beigh - Westfield Village & Town Historian & columnist for the Westfield Republican - Westfield, NY Promoting grape belt history in the local media. James Boltz - Preservation Advocate - Fredonia, NY Preservation issues surrounding small, local museums. Andrew Dufresne - Executive Director, Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association - Mayville, NY The Grape Heritage Center as a focal point for the preservation of the Grape Belt’s legacy. Nancy Brown - Curator, Darwin Barker Museum - Fredonia, NY Expanding cooperation and communication between historical groups and organizations in northern Chautauqua County. John Slater - Director Emeritus, Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society - Niagara Falls, NY Building a preservation network in the Lake Erie Grape Belt Region. 3:30 PM Open Discussion/Audience Participation 3:50 PM Wrap-up 4:00 PM Adjourn The Darwin R. Barker Historical Museum is located at the intersection of Main (Rt. 20) and Day Streets in downtown Fredonia, just east of the park. You are invited to come early and enjoy the museum’s exhibits prior to the program.
• Bottle of Barber's Grape Juice from Julep Bottling Works
  Image of unopened bottle of Barber's Grape Juice. This brand was produced by the Julep Bottling Works in Westfield, NY. Image shows a clear glass bottle with foil covered unopened bottle cap containing a dark-colored liquid. Label on front is rectangular, and has gold outer border, with an inner border of green grape leaves with purple bunches of grapes at the corners. Black text at top states "Contents 16 Fluid Ounces, BARBER'S, C___?___ 1-10 of 1% Benzoate Soda." Across center of bottle is a thick horizontal red stripe wit large gold-bordered white letters "GRAPE JUICE" with large bunch of purple grapes with green leaves between the two words. Below stripe has more black text "Made from Concord Grapes, Cane Sug__, Certified Color and Artificial Flavor, Made by THE JULEP BOTTLING WORKS, Westfield, N. Y." Note: some parts of words missing due to damage