While at the historical society today, Laurie and I came across these amazing documents from Spencer Optical Company. Above and below are parts of an ad for "The 'Electro-Magnetic Eyeglasses and Spectacles," featuring such gems as "When ever vitality becomes impaired, the physician has recourse to ELECTRICITY."
Below is a photograph of the village marching band in front of the factory in the 1880s.
And lastly, here's a letter from Jonathan Spencer, treasurer, to S. H. Searles, enclosed with the village taxes. Of course he's not happy about the amount they have to pay.
Maybe the Spencer Optical site will be our next archaeological dig! The band in the photo is the Spencer Optical Band. We have documentation (at the M.K.H.S.) of the names and instruments played by the members of the band, who were employees of the company. The band was one of some chosen to play at the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883. LK
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