Name/Title
57th Annual Bull Family Picnic, August 27, 1924Entry/Object ID
002153Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
This document is a formal invitation and historical overview for the Bull Picnic Day, held on August 27, 1924, by the William Bull and Sarah Wells Family Association.
The announcement provides a charming look at early 20th-century family reunions, balancing logistics with genealogy. Here is a summary of the key details:
Historical Background
Origins: The annual picnic began in September 1868 to commemorate the completion of a monument to William Bull and Sarah Wells in Hamptonburgh, NY.
Evolution: While the first five picnics (1868–1872) were held in September, the date was later changed to the last Wednesday in August.
Location Change: Historically, the group met on "Little Mountain," a site now considered inaccessible to automobiles. By 1924, the tradition moved to the Stone House, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Bull.
Event Logistics
Transportation: Detailed instructions are provided for both motorists and those arriving by railroad (Erie and N.Y.O. & W. lines). The association even offered a free shuttle from the Campbell Hall train station.
Dining: Luncheon was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Attendees were expected to bring their own basket lunches, though ice cream was available for purchase on-site.
Rain Plan: In case of inclement weather, the event was moved to the nearby Hamptonburgh Grange Hall.
Association Business
Record Keeping: The Secretary, Robert McLeod Jackson, requested updates on family vitals (marriages, births, and deaths) and specifically sought historical data regarding the Civil War and the "late war" (World War I).
Elections: The picnic included an official meeting to elect three members to the Board of Managers.
Note: The document emphasizes that the picnic operated on Daylight Saving Time, a relatively new and sometimes confusing concept in 1924, as evidenced by the mention of "Standard time" for certain train arrivals.
