Waterman Center for the Arts
The Waterman Center for the Arts will be located in the heart of Village of Bath, in the former elementary school building on Liberty Street. We will offer arts opportunities in the Bath and Western Steuben County area.
Mission
The Waterman Center for the Arts of Bath, New York offers arts education and experiences to residents and visitors, to provide opportunities for individual and community creative expression.
Vision
The Waterman Center for the Arts is a thriving community center offering dynamic arts opportunities for residents of Bath and Western Steuben County where artists of all disciplines can build their careers, and anyone can discover and develop their creative talents.
Values
We believe:
- The arts provide opportunities for personal growth and creative expression.
- The arts should be accessible, inclusive, and foster community engagement.
- Our arts center’s activities and decision-making are guided by respect, trust, service, responsibility, and transparency.
Waterman Heirs
During June of 2004, two of the five Ira Davenport heirs traveled to Bath: Pamela Waterman Gale, with her husband Chris, and Mary Waterman Lunt with her husband, Bill. During their visit, they toured the school site as well as several other sites of local interest connected with their family history, such as the Ira Davenport Hospital and the Davenport room located in the Magee House. The Ira Davenport heirs filed suit to save the old portion of the Dana L. Lyon School site. On February 3, 2007 the Court of Appeals decided in favor of the Waterman heirs. The primary annex was then rendered by the Save-the-Lyon Commission, Inc. from the Waterman heirs. The Waterman heirs expressed their interest in preservation, education and arts. With their continued support the Save-The-Lyon-Commission, Inc. intends to create a center for arts and education.
Seven to Save
In 1999, the Preservation League began a statewide endangered properties list. The list, named “Seven to Save”, is intended to draw attention to historic places that need help. Placing an historic property on this list denotes that it is worthy of special attention, extra effort, and new resources to secure its future. The Preservation League is pledging their help.
In 2007, on behalf of the Preservation League, their President, Jay DiLorenzo, Chairman Christopher Holbrook, and all trustees, announced the listing of the Dana Lyon School on the New York State “Seven to Save” list.
2025 Officers
President: Walt Longwell
Vice President: Patty Gurecki
Treasurer: Donna Gerych
Secretary: Julie Rock
Board of Directors
John Bryson
Betty Gerych
Rick Machuga
Nick Pelham