The Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild, Cutchogue
The Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild had its
beginning in 1949 with a Hobby Show for the benefit of the Polio Drive,
with publicity on WCBS. The arts and handcrafts displayed by
local people were impressive both in quality and quantity. As a
result, a committee chaired by Mrs. Agnes Mothersele, assisted by Mrs.
Ruth MacNish, Mrs. Earle Linton, Sr., Mrs. Ralph Booth, Mrs. John
Kramer, Mrs. Owen White, and Mrs. Alma Cummings; met in the spring of
1850 to plan an Arts and Crafts Show on August 16 and 17, 1950 at the
Southold Community Hall. 856 visitors signed the guest book and
86 people came and sold their wares.
At a four day sale in August 1951, exhibitors met
to elect temporary officers for the formation of an Arts and Crafts
Guild for 1952.
The Guild rented the small "Honeymoon Cottage" next
to the North Fork Bank in Cutchogue on a yearly basis to be manned by
members. Open House was on Sunday, May 1952 and 1953.
The Guild was incorporated on April 24, 1953 by
Mrs. Ralph Booth, Mrs. Owen P. White, Mrs. Agnes Mothersele, Mrs. Ruth
MacNish and A.P. L'Hommedieu. In 1952 the first official officers
were President - William L. Hagen; 1st Vice President - Arthur P.
L'Hommedieu; 2nd Vice President - Mrs. Louise Howell and Treasurer Mrs. C. C. Comes.
In 1953, the house across the street was up for
sale, which offered more space. Through the generosity of a Guild
member, the loan of $10,000 without interest made possible the purchase
of that house from Harold G. Penny and Mrs. Kate M. Crawford on April
1, 1953. After some renovations to the house, the Guild moved in
on April 1, 1953.
The order of business called for staffing by
members, with jurying by a committee of artists and crafts persons to
maintain the quality of the items offered. The Guild was open
from mid-May to closing just before Christmas.
The Guild made payments on the loan each year.
But in 1964 the balance of the loan was called in. Members
of the Guild rallied to raise the balance due by issuing thirty Guild
certificates of indebtedness at $100 each at 4% interest. With a
legacy from Anne Currie-Bell, the payment was completed. Those
bonds were redeemed by lot until 1970. Three of the bonds were
donated to the Guild and canceled.
Through the intensive efforts of two Guild
Presidents, Jean Peters and Mary Cleo Tabor, the Internal Revenue
Service gave us a tax-free status in 1988.