“… Passionate about his job and the history of the college.” Sue Savard
“… A bright and capable professional, and a gentleman.” Allan Berry
by Doug Hickerson
In April, Charlie Cowling gave a presentation at Morgan-Manning House on William Seymour and Dayton Morgan. Anyone slightly familiar with Brockport’s history knows the Seymours and Morgans were distinguished founding families of the village. But Cowling got up close and personal about William and Dayton, drawing out their uniquely differing personalities and skills, yet their compatible, productive relationship.
Seymour, the inventor of his version of the mechanical reaper, and businessman Morgan joined to shape big business in Brockport. It was an international business, from the 1840’s to the ‘80’s, with a factory on what is now “Harvester Park,” sending the machines around the country as well as to Europe.
With college and village buildings bearing the Seymour and Morgan names, these tributes to great Brockport families tend to fade into the background; we are unaware of the real human side of specific family members. Who knew that these two gentlemen were so creative, enterprising and productive to make our fair village an industrial center for the world?
These are the kinds of historical stories Charlie Cowling loves to pursue in his role as archivist at the College at Brockport Drake Memorial Library Rose Archives (see footnote). Besides being a reference librarian, he oversees the archives for The College and the greater Brockport region.
Archives research more demanding than reference librarian role
“Interesting, I have been a reference librarian for many years,” Cowling said, “and if I spend more than five minutes with a student at a reference desk, it is a long time.” He estimates he spends about three-quarters of his time as college archivist and one-quarter as librarian.
An inquiry pursued in the archives demands much more of Cowling’s time and skill. “Down here,” he said in the on-site interview, “if someone wants to know if their great grandmother went here in the 1890’s, I have one book with a list of graduates.” The search may not end there if she did not graduate. “I may have to surf through old handwritten ledger books, and I’ll do that, and it may take me a few hours,” Cowling said. “It is just part of the connection we have with people. I am happy to do it.”
The kinds and numbers of requests
Some of the variety of requests Cowling has recently received include: A photo of the women’s basketball team 2007-2008 for a basketball dinner; history of the Brockport Methodist Church clock tower anticipating a renovation project; and, history of the Capen Hose Fire House for a historic panel to be placed by the Brockport Community Museum.
Cowling says some of the old documents have “taken on a new life, as we have digitalized them and placed them in the ‘Digital Commons’ for immediate electronic access.” For example, A.B. Ellwell, an 1899 graduate of Brockport Normal School, became a teacher and had a house painting business.
“He came to be quite an active local historian, writing a column series in the 1950’s for the “Brockport Republic” newspaper,” Cowling said. “The columns were made into a book, History of Brockport with Vicinity Happenings, 1826-1956, which we scanned and it’s online; people can download it and search through it,” Cowling said.
In fact, the book was the source for his information on the Methodist Church clock tower, and for the personal backgrounds of William Seymour and Dayton Morgan.
Cowling says he receives over 200 inquiries a year. Referring to about 25 of those who come in person, “It’s not very walker friendly, as they try to find their way down here. But, I am happy to have people come here if they want to schedule something.” He keeps a log of inquiries (see foot note).
The most efficient and popular access to the archives is by phone or email. With that kind of inquiry, “I can access a newspaper, for example, and email an article back to them,” Cowling said. Some archive research is extensive, such as the clock tower inquiry. “I spent a couple of hours looking for the information, downloading, scanning and assembling it so I could send it to the requester.”
Personal accolades and the Chancellor’s “Amen”
Cowling has high regard for local organizations and individuals who preserve and promote area history, citing, for example: Brockport Community Museum, Emily L. Knapp Museum, Morgan-Manning House, Clarkson Historical Society, and the work of Village Historian Sarah Cedeno and Village Historian emeritus, Bill Andrews. He sees his archives as a resource for their efforts.
“I know how to find and pull together information people may not be aware of or have access to,” he said. He adds that good technology helps. “I have all the scanners, the data bases the College subscribes to, and the Digital Commons.”
Cowling’s services are gratefully received by those guardians of local history he named. One of them, Bill Andrews, said, “Charlie and his archives have been a great resource for me in my history endeavors. He is always cheerfully accommodating. I have to restrain myself from abusing his time.”
Allan Berry, Chair of the Brockport Community Museum, said, “Charlie is such a gem and a wonderful example of how positively The College at Brockport impacts the community at large. He is a member of the Brockport Community Museum and of the Western Monroe Historical Society. He is ever willing to assist these and other organizations, as well as individuals, who are exploring the history of the community, the college, or even their family. In addition to being a bright and capable professional, I must add that Charlie Cowling is a gentleman.”
From Sue Savard, who heads the Emily L. Knapp Museum: “Charlie is passionate about his job and the history of the college. He is always willing to share his knowledge and is helpful with technical assistance. He never seems to be in a hurry, although I know he’s extremely busy. I love his presentation style. He’s well prepared, but has a casual, unhurried, humorous mannerism. It’s like listening to a good story teller, and I never want the story to end.”
In addition to those personal praises, Charlie Cowling has received official SUNY recognition for his professionalism, which he modestly failed to disclose when interviewed. Several weeks after the interview, he was honored with The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship, along with other Chancellor’s Award winners at The College’s Annual Employee Recognition Dinner on May 18.
Links
Rose Archives www.brockport.edu/about/archives/
Log of inquiries notesforarchives.blogspot.com/
