Hemmer Cottage getting transported up Park Ave. in Old Forge ten years ago. Courtesy photo
The Town of Webb Historical Association is planning a celebration to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the move of Hemmer Cottage on May 31, 2002, from the grounds of the Town of Webb School campus to the Old Forge waterfront. A special reception will be held at the Hemmer Cottage on Thursday, July 19th.
During the winter of 2001, the Hemmer Cottage was saved by a group of local citizens from being demolished when the Town of Webb School could not find a buyer for the historic house, where local artist, Bernard Hemmer and his wife, Mary, once lived.
The cottage, built in 1931, was one of a dozen unique cottages built in the 1920s and 1930s by Hemmer, a World War I veteran.
In 2001 the citizens group circulated a petition and collected funds to save the unique structure.
They were overwhelmed by the donations by the community and visitors which enabled an Ad Hoc team to present a bid to the School Board in the amount of $751. It turned out to be the winning bid, which was accepted by the School Board.
The move to its new location was made possible with a grant of $25,000 that was secured by then-Senator Ray Meier.
Additional grants were received by various organizations in 2002 and 2003 to make improvements. Since the move to the new site overlooking the Old Forge Pond, the upper floor of Hemmer Cottage has served as rented office space and a conference area for CAP-21, and meeting space for small groups.
On the first floor there are exhibits by the Historical Association, including Bernard Hemmer’s oil paintings.
The Historical Association has hosted fundraisers on the grounds of Hemmer Cottage to cover ongoing expenses of maintenance and upgrading.
The community is invited to the 10th anniversary celebration.
For planning purposes, those wishing to attend are asked to register by calling the Historical Association at (315) 369-3838 or by emailing: director@webbhistor.org.
