Board Appreciates ‘Photographic’ Memories Of Edmond Town Hall

By Kendra Bobowick

Quiet moments passed with only the sound of rustling papers as Board of Managers members read Sandra Motyka’s letter commending former chair Edgar Beers who had “given unselfishly” of his time and attention for 20 years.

Beyond his time and attention, however, is the collection of photos that remains since he left the board.

As mentioned in her letter, Ms Motyka and others have often acknowledged Mr Beers’ generosity for contributions of funds and now the historic images of the Edmond Town Hall’s beginnings.

Ms Motyka’s letter notes the “donation of monies to preserve and protect the one-of-a-kind photographs which record the actual construction of the [Edmond Town Hall].”

A closing paragraph states that the photos will “henceforth be officially named The Edgar Beers Collection.” The board voted unanimously on March 14 to officially name and recognize the former chairman’s contribution.

Also following this lead was board member Jane Sharpe, who has taken an interest in this photo collection. She sought the board’s support for framing just two images.

She also described having the photos blown up, saying, “I want to do a couple large, a couple of big ones first.” She described a tabloid size enlargement with a custom frame. She hopes to display the photos, and also hopes the display will attract attention to the town hall. She thought the framed shots might be placed inside the theater area.

Ms Sharpe said, “Inside the foyer there is protection and they might attract interest.”

Members may soon decide precisely where to place these photos, but determining who took them remains unclear.

Although Mr Beers contributed the collection of negatives, some of which depict the town hall’s construction as Ms Motyka pointed out, their origin is unclear. Books about Newtown by Town Historian Dan Cruson also contain many photographs of the town hall’s construction literally from the ground up. For example, Mary Hawley, who gave the building to the town, is in one photo that shows her watching the cornerstone settle into place. She died before the building was completed.

Mr Cruson knows for certain the photographer’s identity behind the particular photos used in his books, but can’t be certain about the Beers collection, he said.

“I would have to take a look,” Mr Cruson said. He had glimpsed some of those images during the building’s 75th anniversary celebration, but did not happen to look for the telltale signs that would indicate if the Beer’s collection and the images Mr Cruson used came from the same amateur photographer — Herman Tiemann.

During the anniversary, “On Edgar Beers’ request I had some prints made,” Mr Cruson said. All prints were delivered to the Board of Managers office.

Although Mr Cruson said he is not familiar with the background of the Beers film, he did agree that “it’s possible” some of Mr Tiemann’s negatives are mixed among The Edgar Beers Collection.

Theater Manager Tom Mahoney said that none of The Edgar Beers Collection is marked with any initials monogrammed onto the images. He then said that Mr Beers would be the person to ask about the photographer. Mr Beers could not be reached for comment this week.

The Tiemann shots are all clearly marked and easily recognized, Mr Cruson said. They are now in the Newtown Historical Society’s possession.

“They are monogrammed,” Mr Cruson said. “They have a T and H in the corner.” In fact, his books, Images of America Newtown 1900–1960 and Images of America Newtown, both contain photos with the T/H inscription in the corners. Although Mr Cruson is aware of the special marking, he did not happen to look for it on the one occasion when he handled Mr Beers’ collection.

Curiously, two of Mr Tiemann’s photos that were evidently taken just moments apart are published separately, one in each book. In the book covering 1900-1960 is a picture of three construction men carefully guiding the cornerstone into place. In the other book is the image of Mary Hawley leaning out and reaching for the cornerstone. In this shot the stone is just inches above where it rests in the other photo. Mr Cruson had also mentioned that within Tiemann’s collection, there are 15–16 photos “he had taken sequentially.”

Ms Motyka has been drafting her letter to Mr Beers for months, and beyond notifying him of that his photo collection has been specifically named in his honor, she has at last put further sentiments on paper.

“We wish to express our great appreciation to you for your many years of service,” she wrote on behalf herself and the current board members.

The board approved the sentiment without hesitation.

“That hits it all,” said Chairman Jay Gill. “I like this [letter] the way it is.”

Superintendent Clark Kathan said succinctly, “Very Good.”

Ms Motyka has spoken for months about the recognition she feels Mr Beers deserves, not only for his two decades of service and “time and attention in the maintenance and improvement,” of the town hall, but for the gifts he has given to the town.