Attics give up their 'made in Goshen' treasure

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Goshen has a long history infused through the years with a variety of manufacturing businesses, retail stores, and restaurants. It's privileged to have the oldest continuously harness racing track in the United States.
With such a vivid history, artifacts that have survived either in people’s homes or stored in the library were brought out, dusted off and displayed at the St. James Church Community Center for the public to see and hear about.
Among the many items shown by the Friends of the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society in its “Made in Goshen” program was a wooden chair made in a factory now occupied by the Griffin Olivero Realtors on Main Street. Ann Roche, the library’s head of local history, said a large “priceless” cut glass vase in library storage was manufactured by O’Connor Glass Co., which once occupied the former Suresky Auto Sales building on lower Main Street. The company opened in 1901 and continued until the 1920s.
Goshen’s long association with harness racing necessitated manufacturing racing equipment, and James Donovan established Donovan’s Road Carts in 1889. The carriage shop on Greenwich and New Street “made all kinds of racing carts and wagons,” said James’ son, Joe Donovan. James has a patent on a footrest that he designed for racing carts.
Representing the arts was Elaine McClung, who spoke about paintings by the esteemed Horace Pippin, the African-American artist who was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Goshen. Pippin lived here from 1891 until 1912 and attended a segregated school until 1902. Pippin’s paintings fall into three categories: memories of Goshen, memories of World War I, and religious themes.
A dictionary written by one of Goshen’s most famous literary lights, Noah Webster, was brought out of the archives and displayed.
"The significance of this dictionary, although in fair to poor condition, states in the beginning that Noah Webster taught in Goshen,” said Roche.
Farming did — and still does — have a place in Goshen, although for some with a new twist:
Fort Hill Farm. Dairy farm located on Fort Hill Road operated by Phil Johnson, a fourth generation farmer on the site. He’s the son of popular, outgoing Bill Johnson, who still lends a hand at the farm.
Brookfields Farm Beef. Fourth generation family run farm on 165 acres, specializing in beef raised without harmful growth hormones and antibiotics. The herd lives a humane, non-stressful life, grazing in open fields, as close to nature as possible. Located Route 17A in the Town of Goshen. Stop by and visit their farm shop.
5 Spoke Creamery. Located on the corner of Pulaski Highway and Cross Road in the Town of Goshen. They make a variety of cheeses, using milk without pesticides or hormones, at a renovated dairy farm. Cheeses are available at the Shop Rite, Orange County Distillery and Whole Foods. This summer they have available a new cheese, “Harvest Moon.”
What oldies-but-goodies show would be complete in Goshen without the Coates-Goshen automobile? The Coates-Goshen Manufacturing Co. was organized in 1908, with Joe Coates as president. The first Coates-Goshen auto, a 25-horsepower runabout, was developed in 1909 in a blue color — quite daring for the time — followed by a 32 horsepower. The base prices varied from $2,450 to $2,850, with extra cost for rumble seats (single or double) adjustable windshield, and waterproof cloth top, side curtains and storm apron. Joe Coates hand assembled 32 automobiles but, unfortunately, none are known still to exist.
“I’m thrilled at the turnout and appreciate the items brought in from basements, attics, garages that were made in Goshen," said event organizer Jim Tarvin about the crowd that turned up to learn more about Goshen.
"The historical Society loves to have donations — not only Goshen treasures, but family treasures," he said.
The library is looking forward to displaying many of these items, and more, when the new library is completed. Anticipating the new library are Junior Friends of the Library, including Deanna Villegas and Connie Bouchard, who help the Friends of the Goshen Library whenever they can.
Said Bouchard, “I’m looking forward to having a history room to show historical artifacts that can’t be shown now.”
Villegas said, “I’m excited about the new library because we’ll have room for events.”