August 5, 2006 Hamlet of Covert Tour

The Interlaken Historical Society hosted Barn Tours in 2003 and 2004 (see April 26) and their first plowing day in 2005 (see April 30). By the fall of 2005 the board was considering options for a new tour and the idea of a tour of houses, buildings and the cemetery at the Hamlet of Covert was considered.

Cooperation was key as many people would be involved. Volunteers from the Ulysses Historical Society were welcomed into the planning. Several houses would be open to the public, along with the Covert Baptist Church, the 1850 Town Hall and the Interlaken Grange building. Americana Winery was also welcoming tour goers.

Two houses were open for tours, the Pillars, home to the McDaniel family, and the Pratt House.

Stories, written by the people who lived in the Hamlet, were being collected, along with pictures of people and events. These were incorporated into the “Special Edition” of the Historical Society newsletter.

Cover of the Special Edition
Interlaken Historical Society collection

At the church, quilts from both historical societies were on display. Allan Buddle, president of the Interlaken Historical Society, was tasked with ringing the bell at various times throughout the day.

The Grange Hall, moved to Covert in 1913, was open as the welcome center. Visitors made their way to each of the buildings and cemetery as their time and desire fit together.

The Old Baptist Cemetery or Old Covert Cemetery was to be on the tour as well. What was originally planned as a few pages within the tour booklet about the cemetery, became a book on its own. And Let My Memory Cherished Be, attempted to place those people buried at the cemetery into context.

All of the parts and pieces came together and the day was acclaimed a success by all. People from the local area and those from farther away, came, visited and took with them a better understanding of the area.

Chad Hubbard and others at the Pratt House

 

Joe Baldwin at the Town Hall

Hats hanging from the balcony at the Church

Dresses and music at the church

Vintage quilts on display at the Church

A short item in the October 2007 Interlaken Historical Society newsletter gave a follow-up on the tour. “Following the Covert Historic Tour of 2006 the materials and a description of the event were submitted to the Upstate History Alliance for their Award of Merit program. In March we were notified that the Interlaken Historical Society had been honored with an Honorable Mention certificate.”

Dewitt’s Diary, Friday, August 5, 1966

Temperature 70, clear.

Put a little dust on beans (Sevin). Air too breezy.

Painting on the south end of house.

My first planting of the early sort is mostly gone.

Corn is very high in price. I sold a few dozen ears for 70 cents per dozen.

Coon got in chickens (young pullets), killed several. We froze up 12. I heard the chickens squawk at 3 o’clock this morning while sleeping on the porch. We killed the coon. Lost about 15 all together.

Around 85 today.