LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the dedication of the Jan W. Bowers
Museum on June 18, 2016, and honoring the memory of this beloved histo-
rian

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who made significant
contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
dedication of the Jan W. Bowers Museum by the Nanticoke Valley Histor-
ical Society on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at its New York State Path
Through History Event, and to honor the memory of this beloved histori-
an; and
WHEREAS, During the Nanticoke Valley Historical Society's final meet-
ing in 2015, the organization's body of members voted to name its
original museum site, the Jan W. Bowers Museum; and
WHEREAS, Jan W. Bowers is being posthumously honored, in part, for her
role as the organization's first curator; it was she who consulted with
a group of professionals to install the museum's original displays, some
as they remain to date; and
WHEREAS, Born in Maine, New York, in 1935, to Dr. and Mrs. Clement
Bowers, Jan W. Bowers grew up in her family's home at Bowers Corner; and
WHEREAS, Jan W. Bower's affiliation with the Nanticoke Valley Histor-
ical Society and its museum began when she visited the Hamlet of Maine
during its 125th Anniversary celebration in 1973; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Jan W. Bowers discovered the Nanticoke
Valley's fledging Historical Society had corroborated with the Town of
Maine's local government, churches, service organizations and much of
its population to relive the Hamlet's rural past during a weekend
festival held in May of that year; and
WHEREAS, It was estimated that more than 100,000 people celebrated the
town's history during the event, and Jan W. Bowers was delighted that
Maine successfully honored its past with so much community spirit and
cooperation; and
WHEREAS, Due in part to her personal interest in history and her
desire to contribute to the formation of a historical society, Jan W.
Bowers moved to Maine, New York, and began investing her efforts to help
the organization succeed; and
WHEREAS, A true preservationist and historian, Jan W. Bowers made it
her life work to keep the small community of Maine, New York, from
losing its history in both words and architecture; and
WHEREAS, Jan W. Bowers was instrumental in the Nanticoke Valley
Historical Society gaining its permanent charter in 1977, as well as its
expansion to include five buildings: an 1830 Grist Mill, 1840 Norton
Carriage Shops, 1845 one-room school house, and an 1870 Victorian house
which includes two full floors of exhibits celebrating the rural life in
Nanticoke Valley; and
WHEREAS, These buildings were acquired by and transferred to the
Nanticoke Valley Historical Society by Jan W. Bowers and the Bowers
Foundation which she established for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Jan W. Bowers has left her impact on many
projects throughout Broome County, from donated archives of her family

to Binghamton University, to artwork and antiques to the Roberson Museum
and Science Center in the City of Binghamton; and
WHEREAS, This exemplary woman clearly had an enduring impact on the
Nanticoke Valley Historical Society, as well as on the community-at-
large, and accordingly merits just tribute and recognition for the
impressive dedication she had for her community throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, The dedication of the Nanticoke Valley Historical Society's
museum, where Jan W. Bowers led with such talent, zeal, and joy is a
fitting tribute to a life well-lived and a life worth remembering, a
lasting memorial to an individual who gave honor and dignity to the
preservation of her community; and
WHEREAS, The Jan W. Bowers Museum will long endure as an inspiration
and legacy to all who had the privilege and honor of knowing her, and to
future generations of the Nanticoke Valley community; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the dedication of the Jan W. Bowers Museum on June 18, 2016,
and honoring the memory of this beloved historian; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Jan W. Bowers.