CHARLIE'S BOOKS

Recently we picked up a book in the collection, opened it, saw some notes about date and place of purchase, and immediately thought, "This must be one of Charlie's books."

Nettie Bullis's brother Charlie (Charles Rogers Bullis, 1891 - 1974) must have loved old books. People who remember him talk about seeing him at area barn and garage sales, looking through boxes of second-hand books and usually choosing several to take home to add to the many, many stacks and boxes already in the house on Canandaigua Road.

Charlie Bullis's love of books undoubtedly came from his father and grandfather, who added a significant number of engineering and medical books to their library. The horticulture volumes were probably Charlie's "doing" as growing flowers was one of his interests as well. And of course, all of the  Bullises made their contributions over the years, as well.

So we say a belated "thank you" to those who assembled this collection over the years, with special gratitude for Charlie Bullis who kept up the tradition and Nettie Bullis who insured that the collection would remain intact and maintained for us to enjoy.

Hope you're getting your Macedon photos ready for our November 10 photo scan. We're looking forward to seeing you in the Bullis Room that day, as well.

PHOTO SCANNING PROJECT

On Saturday,  November 10 from Noon to 3 PM in the Macedon Public Library, a photo scanning session will allow area residents to have their historic photos scanned and become a part of the Macedon's history archives. 

We're mentioning this now so you have time to go through your collection of photos from the past and chose the ones you would like to share with the rest of the community. 

While your photos are being scanned, you can also visit the Bullis Room (which will be open and staffed that day) or drop by the Community Room for refreshments and see the Macedon Historical Society's display of scrapbooks.

Hope to see you on November 10. If you have any questions, just call 315-986-5932, Ext. 3.

LOOKING FOR COLUMBUS

...that's one thing we were doing this week in the Bullis Room. And we found him. Well, at least we found two books on that subject.

Why Columbus? Well, yesterday was the official holiday and remembrance of Christopher Columbus's 1492 arrival in the New World.  And it's at this time each year that we're reminded of the man and his discovery and what it meant to the world.

And now for the results of our search - for your reading and browsing pleasure we recommend:

Columbus and Columbia;

a pictorial history of the man and the nation, 

embracing a review of our country's progress, a complete history of America,

a new life of Columbus and an illustrated description of

the great Columbian exposition.

(Yes, that's the title!) However, this volume actually contains four books:

Book I - by Hon. James G. Blaine, Secretary of State

Book II - by J. W. Buel, Distinguished author and traveler

Book III - by Prof. John Clark Ridpath, noted historial

Book IV - by Hon Benj. Butterworth, Sec. Columbian Commission

Published by Historical Publishing Company of St. Louis, Missouri in 1832, the volume is "Embellished with over 500 engravings, maps, charts diagrams, and illustrations in oil colors by the great masters." 

This book has a total of 832 pages, so allow yourself plenty of time to give it a thorough look-through next time you drop in the Bullis Room.

ROYCROFT

We browsed the shelves this week for works on religion, and a group of Roycroft books caught our eye.  Elbert Hubbard founded the Roycroft community in 1895 in the small town of East Aurora, New York. Thus, it is no accident that these books are a part of the collection, since East Aurora is "just down the road" from Macedon.

Author Robert Rust wrote in The Roycroft Campus (Arcadia Publishing; Reprint edition, May, 1999) that Elbert Hubbard and his Roycrofters were one of the most influential aspects of the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Hubbard founded the Roycroft Press in 1895, and by the turn of the century, the varied group of artisans and celebrities had transformed the small town of East Aurora, New York, into a world-renowned utopian community.

So if you're interested in learning more about this talented and productive community of artisans and authors, just drop by the Bullis Room and ask to see these books:

The Roycrofters (1917)

A List of Books Made During the Year 1899 by the Roycrofters at the Roycroft Shop (1899)

Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Orators--Burke (1903)

Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Orators--Ingersoll (1903)