MISSION
The purpose of the entity known as the Daniel
Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum is to enhance, advise, promote,
develop and assist in the operation of the museum to share the
heritage of New York’s Agricultural development with museum
visitors. Located on the New York State Fair grounds, the museum
will receive support in all ways including financial, spokespersons,
proponents and fiscal help. The goal is to upgrade the museum to
desirable standards that include recognition of the New York State
Agricultural Society’s historical role. All funds received would
be disbursed as authorized by the governing board as provided in the
by-laws and would be in addition to the museum allocation in the
State Fair Budget. |
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The Beginning – Witter Museum was built on the New York
State Fair grounds in 1928. The New York State Agricultural Society
conducted the State Fair from 1850 to 1900, and was instrumental in
the building and development of the museum. A memorial room in the
museum was dedicated to the Society for its contributions.
1996 – A
State Fair committee was appointed by the Ag. Society to evaluate the
museum’s needs. The committee met with fair officials and plans
were developed that resulted in several individual volunteers who
explained to fair visitors the uses of various museum items and
their relationship to the state’s rich agricultural history. A
detailed survey was also made that recommended numerous improvements
and suggested the formation of a Friends organization.
1997 – The Agricultural Society adopted a resolution supporting a Friends
organization and provided a $1000 grant to assist in the development
of exhibits and the program. |
With the
assistance of a major New York State retailer the successful exhibit
with a theme of “200 years of bread making” was set up for State
Fair visitors. Attendance in the museum showed considerable
improvement and initial legal steps were started to develop an
official Friends non-profit corporation. Volunteers again assisted
fair visitors with exhibits throughout the museum.
1998
– The State Board of Regents approved and Friends of the Daniel
Parris Witter Agricultural Museum became an official non-profit
entity in midyear. The
memorial room exhibit was expanded thanks to the sponsorship of a
major milk company to include milk equipment used by dairymen in the
early part of the 20th century. The bread-making exhibit
was still popular and overall attendance continued to increase over
previous years.
Volunteers continued to provide assistance as
in the past and also assisted during a week in late spring when the
museum opened for special tours by school children from the central
New York area. |
1999 –The Friends of Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural
Museum organized and elected directors and officers. The first board
meeting was held and committees were appointed.
Similar exhibits are planned for the State
Fair. The IRS approved and granted a 501c3 status to the
Corporation, which enables those who provide financial assistance a
tax benefit. Special promotional and membership programs are planned
as well. Other areas are under review to provide financial
assistance for the benefit and improvement of the Witter Museum.
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•Provide for a
twelve member Board of Directors. In addition, Ex-Officio
members include the Director of the State Fair, the Superintendent
of the Museum and the President of the New York State Agricultural
Society.
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•Officers are elected annually and
serve
without compensation.
•Provision is made for the appointment of an
executive committee.
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•Membership is open to anyone who signifies a
desire to become a member. The fee schedule provides several choices
ranging from individual to life membership.
•Amendment of the constitution requires a 2/3
vote of members.
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