X

'Legends of Massena' exhibit showcases celebrities who have visited the town

Posted 8/3/22

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI North Country This Week MASSENA — Visitors attending Massena’s Mega Reunion Aug. 5-7 can view the “Legends of Massena” exhibit in the Mercantile Building at the corner of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

'Legends of Massena' exhibit showcases celebrities who have visited the town

Posted

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Visitors attending Massena’s Mega Reunion Aug. 5-7 can view the “Legends of Massena” exhibit in the Mercantile Building at the corner of Main St. and Water St.

The project, which was the brainchild of Marian Witkop, has been a labor of love for the nine-member committee.

“We’ve spent hours and hours on collage.com,” Witkop joked.

Witkop said the project began as she was taking art lessons, with a heavy influence of Norman Rockwell.

According to Witkop, Rockwell had a studio on North Main St.

“It all started with him, with Rockwell. I posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew of other famous people who lived in or visited Massena over the years and it just took off from there,” Witkop said.

The list features some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics in the last 100 years.

“Sammy Davis Jr. spent a summer living on Liberty Ave. and came to Massena often to play. Black people were not allowed in the hotels at the time, so he stayed with a family on Liberty Ave.,” Witkop said.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was also a frequent visitor, staying on Elm St. with the Cook family.

“Nancy Cook and Eleanor Roosevelt met during one of FDR’s campaigns and became close friends. She would stay with the Cook family many times and would travel with Nancy,” Witkop said.

Add Hal Smith of Andy Griffith fame to the list as well, Witkop said.

“A lot of famous actors and musicians came through, performed, lived here. Some even got into a little trouble and spent time with the Massena Police Department,” she said.

Witkop was referring to actor Dan Ackroyd, famous for his roles on Saturday Night Live, The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters, who admitted in an interview with Rolling Stone to being arrested in Massena for underage drinking.

“The list goes on and on. We’ve had multiple presidents visit, vice presidents like Richard Nixon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. There is a rich history here,” Witkop said.

Elaborating on the musical talents that have visited the area, Witkop mentioned Bob Dylan played Willow Grove before he became the world renowned singer-songwriter we know today.

“The band that eventually became The Band also played Willow Grove,” she said.

A note written by Janis Joplin on Highland Hotel stationary has also been found, with a copy being displayed in the exhibit.

“We’re not sure if she played here or it was just a stop on the way through for a tour, but we did find a handwritten note from her,” she said.

Hollywood stars like Matt Damon and John Krasinski have also flown through the Massena Airport on their way to visit and view wind turbines, Witkop said.

“Eddie Money and Bobby Orr would eat at Violi’s Restaurant all the time. Both of them loved the veal parmesan,” she said.

“We’ve also had a number of pro athletes come from Massena but one of the big highlights was the gold medal winning 1980 U.S. Men's Hockey team,” she said.

Though the project is slated to be displayed at the Mercantile for this weekend only, Witkop said the project may have legs beyond the initial showing.

The committee, which consists of Sue Parisian, Lenore Levine, Carol Hartle, Joan Bulger, Dale Dix, Cathy Dix, Diane Acton and Carolyn Jermano as well, may expand the project.

“We’ll see what comes of it, it’s been a lot of work but very rewarding to highlight so many celebrities who have come through our small town,” Witkop said.

Special thanks are also in order for The Mercantile, SeaComm, North Raquette Antiques, Massena Savings and Loan, Frenchies and Tarbell Managements Group.

“They all supported this project in a big way, we owe them our thanks,” Witkop said.

The exhibit is now open in the Mercantile and is available for viewing Friday, Aug. 5 from 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6 from 2-7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.