To the Editor:

Wednesday, May 22, was a busy day for the Westerlo Historical Society, beginning with a fascinating tour of the Hannay Reels plant led by President Eric Hannay. Established in 1933 by Clifford B. Hannay and briefly his partner, Ken Morrissey, this plant has been a family-owned mainstay in the town ever since. Morrissey reportedly sold his interests early on for $250 feeling there was “no future in hose reels” and the business went on to become Clifford B. Hannay & Son.

Eric showed us many of the processes from beginning to end, including new technology laser parts manufacturing and robotics. Materials receiving, quality controls, shipping, and finishing were just some of the activities we saw up close. What a huge, busy plant!

When the factory tour ended, we were given access to the plant museum, contained in Building #1, the original site of Clifford’s activities. It contains a wide range of items relevant to the history of the operation.

Many familiar names and faces were displayed, as well as artifacts and documents showing the growth and advancement of the facility. The Hannay family is obviously rightfully very proud of its heritage. 

Reel #33, built in 1933, was displayed as well as several later evolutions of the reels.  They certainly have come a long way! Thousands are now shipped all over the United States and the world.

After our time at the museum, we went to the site of the recently placed historical marker for the “Public Garage” (now Building #3). This building was the site of a dealership run by Orlo Stewart and Gerald De Laverne selling and repairing Chrysler and Plymouth cars as well as Allis Chalmers tractors in the 1930s and 1940s. Lots of happiness and photos celebrated the new marker.

The group then went to the Hometown Deli, the newest eatery in town, for a delicious lunch and comradery.

At 1 p.m., we met at the Westerlo Rural Cemetery for the traditional placing of Memorial Day flags on the gravesites of our veterans and continued to the Westerlo Central Cemetery and Hannacroix Cemetery to do the same.

Flags and flowers were also placed on the memorial sites at Town Hall, South Westerlo, and Dormansville. Finishing in the late afternoon, all in all it was an exciting, proud, and memorable day.  

Again, many thanks to the Hannay family for permitting us to visit the facility and for their contribution for the historical marker.

Anyone interested in joining the historical society is more than welcome. Please call 518-797-3050 or email for more information.

Roland Tozer

Westerlo