Parks-Bentley Place
Where History Comes Alive!
Home of the Historical Society of Moreau and South Glens Falls
What's Happening - 2023
Launch of new book
Dear Friend:
Letters from Union Soldier
Gustavus Wintermeyer to John A. Bentley
Be among the first to get a copy of this fascinating collection of letters from a young Civil War soldier to John A. Bentley of the Parks-Bentley family.
Discovered amongst more than 300 pieces of correspondence donated to the Historical Society by the Smith family of South Glens Falls, Dear Friend! is a testament to the young men who sought to preserve the Union,
Parks-Bentley launches book of Civil War soldier letters to Bentley family member
The Historical Society of Moreau and South Glens Falls has recently published a book of letters from a Civil War solider to John Bentley, who grew up in the Glens Falls area. Titled “Dear Friend: Letters from Union Soldier Gustavus Wintermeyer to John A. Bentley”, the book includes thirty letters depicting what military life was like in the 1860s.
The letters were discovered when a volunteer was transcribing a larger collection of correspondence donated to the Historical Society by the Smith family of South Glens Falls. Given the great detail and personal thoughts about the conflict that were included in the letters, volunteer Christine A. Hogan-Kilburn offered to turn the missives into a book that would be used as a fundraiser for Parks-Bentley Place.
“The fact that the correspondence provides an intimate look at the day-to-day life of a Union soldier, as well as the letters’ connection to the Bentley family, made the development of the book an easy decision,” said Historical Society officer Nancy Purinton.
In The News
Parks-Bentley holds annual Nativity exhibition
Beginning November 25, the Historical Society of Moreau and South Glens Falls holds its annual exhibition of nativity sets from around the globe.
This year’s exhibition, titled Forging Christmas: Nativities of Substance will take a slightly different slant. This year's display groups the nativities by their composition, such as glass, wood, metal, cloth, stone and ceramic.
Forging Christmas will be on display several dates in November and December and will offer visitors a look at more than 100 nativity sets from around the world. Each room of the historic Parks-Bentley house will house nativities of a particular composition and private group tours will be made available by appointment.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and under. Minimum pricing for private group tours is $50. The display will be open from noon – 4 pm on November 25 & 26, as well as on December 1-3, 9-10, 16-17, and 30. Extended hours in December 8 and 15 will be from noon to 7 pm to accommodate visitors unable to visit during daytime hours.