Museum showcases days gone by

The old house is home to an organ from 1834.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- One step through the doorway of the Struthers Historical Society Museum will take visitors back in time.
Marian Kutlesa, society secretary, said that the museum, at 50 Terrace St., was built by Alexander Frankfort in 1884 as a residence. His daughter, Alma, lived in the house for 94 of her 100 years, Kutlesa said. The historical society received the house Aug. 11, 1986.
Alma never married and lived her life as a seamstress, Kutlesa said. In the living room of the house, some of Alma's work is on display, including clothing, buttons, lace and fur.
Also on display in the living room is a signal whistle from Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube. Margaret Tkach, a tour guide, said that her father worked for Sheet & amp; Tube, and she remembers that as a little girl she could hear the whistle blowing for shift changes. She added that the whistle could be heard for several miles, and they could tell when the whistle signaled an emergency.
In addition to the whistle and Alma's personal artifacts, the living room is home to an organ from 1834 and other artifacts from the Sheet & amp; Tube, along with framed pictures that capture the way of the past, Tkach said.
The steps to the upstairs are steep and narrow. Once at the top, visitors have a straight shot of Alma's bedroom. Some of the clothes on display were donated, but others were made by Alma, Kutlesa said.
Other second floor highlights include a painting of Thomas Struthers, for whom the city is named, high school band uniforms and Alma's original vanity, Kutlesa said. Everything in the house was either left there by the Frankforts or donated, society treasurer Margaret O'Neil said.
"People donate things, not all at once, but we get pieces here and there," O'Neil said.
The kitchen at the society is home to a stove and an icebox, which is sort of an old-time refrigerator, Kutlesa said. On the kitchen wall is a likeness of William Galbreath, a Struthers' native who was famous for being on the Cream of Wheat box. Galbreath owned a coal company on State Street and is now buried in Belmont Park Cemetery, she added.
Supporting the museum
The museum is run by volunteers and survives through donations. The Youngstown Foundation gave the first grant and, along with Struthers Rotary, has been a long time supporter of the museum. Area businesses, such as Thatcher Heating and Campbell Electric, provided them with basic services and updates, Kutlesa said.
The historical society has fundraisers from time to time, such as luncheons and raffles, Kutlesa said.
People may view the museum by appointment only. Those interested can get the phone number to the historical society from the library or from city hall. It is open from April to November for tours. They give tours to area schools every spring and invite local clubs to hold meetings at the museum, Tkach said.
"We'll open for 2 people or 102 people," Tkach said. "It doesn't matter. You don't need a group to come. All are welcome."
spoulton@vindy.com