From the Monday Club Publicist Nora Burdick,
Nathaniel Dyke Museum Tour on May 11th
Introduction to the Museum
The Nathaniel Dike Museum, located at 118 Dyke Street in Wellsville, New York, offers visitors a glimpse into the area’s past. Housed in the former Dyke Street Fire Station, the museum preserves local historical treasures under the care of the Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society.
Hosts and Historical Stewardship
On May 11, Annie Comstock, president of the historical society, welcomed Monday Club members with an engaging and informative presentation. She, her sister Jackie Comstock, vice president of the society, and other dedicated members have invested many hours in organizing, preserving, and documenting donations from Wellsville and the surrounding communities. They also work closely with Tina Wightman of the Willing Historical Society. Together, their efforts reflect the same spirit of community cooperation that once made the Dyke Street Fire Station an important part of a safe and thriving town.
Highlights of the Tour
Among the first-floor highlights was an authentic barbershop display honoring Robert Piscitelli, known around town as “Pisky,” who once operated a shop at the corner of Main Street and Fassett Lane. The exhibit, decorated with photographs of Wellsville and the surrounding area, recalled a time when customers left not only with a haircut or shave, but also with local news and lively conversation. Nearby, visitors viewed a vintage x-ray machine from the former Ludden’s Shoe Store. Throughout the floor, display cases and wall exhibits featured photographs, tools, letters, and other artifacts that documented the past and revived memories of shopping trips along Wellsville’s Main Street.
Second-Floor Collections and Community Reflections
As the tour continued to the second floor, visitors paused to view memorabilia displayed along the stairway walls. One memorable contribution came from Alan Forsberg, who donated a collection of yardsticks from local businesses with deep roots in Wellsville’s history. His collection sparked conversations about former shops, familiar purchases, and the memories tied to them.
On the second level, guests found an impressive collection of historical documents and memorabilia, with Annie Comstock and JoAnn LaForge available to answer questions and explain how to access additional information.
By the end of the visit, Monday Club members agreed that their time at the museum was far too short to explore all the area’s long-held stories, legends, and historical mysteries. The museum is open to the public on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to stop in and donate items. As Annie and Tina reminded the group, one person’s trash may well be another person’s treasure.
David A Howe Children’s Library Space Tour on May 18
Murals Transform the Children’s Section
Anyone who has not yet visited the David A. Howe Library’s children’s section should make plans to do so soon. The whimsical, mystical, and locally inspired murals created by three talented artists make the space a delight to explore.
The Monday Club Visit
Monday Club members toured the youth section on an impromptu visit after their scheduled presenter had to cancel at the last minute. Tina Wightman, the club’s president, suggested that the group take the opportunity to see the newly completed project. Shaw Carlin, one of the artists selected for the grant-funded work last year, was there to answer questions and graciously receive the group’s well-deserved praise.
About the Project
The project began in June 2025, and the murals were finished in April 2026. Artists Shaw Carlin, Natalie Burns, and Aubree Niles divided the work among several areas, including the entry hall, ceiling, and stairway to the archives. Working during evening hours while the library was closed and coordinating the use of scaffolding, they brought the space to life with local flora and fauna, fairy-tale castles and dragons, the library’s own David A. Meow, and a tribute to the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally.
To say that Monday Club members were struck by the beauty of the murals would be an understatement. Perhaps the lasting takeaway is that these talented young artists have left their brushstrokes on a community treasure: the David A. Howe Library.
