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Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.
Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

Robert (Bob) Volk

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Executive Director

Robert (Bob) Volk
Design
80%
Branding
90%
Web Design
88%

Robert (Bob) Volk AU ‘65

Having been raised and schooled in mid Buffalo, Bob learned about Ceramic Engineering and Alfred while working in his father’s drug store. Alfred was the only place he applied, and he started college in 1961, graduated in 1965, and spent time in corporate industry, mainly in Carbon and Graphite. After 7 years he dropped out, returned to Alfred, and went into the hardware store with his father in law. Here he developed “Tinkertown”, and retired 37 years later. Now, for the rest of his life, he is working to build the Alfred community with the help of A21CG.

Biography

Having been raised and schooled in mid Buffalo, Bob learned about Ceramic Engineering and Alfred while working in his father’s drug store.

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The Alfred Twenty First Century Group (A21CG) is a 100% volunteer 501(C)3 non-profit founded over 30 years ago with the mission of community preservation and enhancement. A21CG is ready to continue that work, and also to foster a positive community culture.

Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

PO Box 1182
Alfred NY 14802

alfredny21cg@gmail.com

Bob Volk
+(585) 648-6560
(Bob’s phone, please leave a message.)

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Additional Projects

Following is a list of potential projects that can be used to infuse a visually obvious terra cotta design presence into our community. This will speak of our unique ceramic heritage to all who enter Alfred, and enable us to introduce them to our world class ceramic and glass technology and ceramic art:

  1. Terra cotta (T-C) sculptures randomly placed around the village (created by students or whoever). This would be a good use for salvaged roof tiles that have been saved at various locations in the area.
  2. T-C birds – around the community – in trees, on fences, in lawns, on porches and roofs.
  3. T-C walls – walls and fences covered or capped with a tile veneer.
  4. T-C decorative inset tiles – inset into wood surfaces such as posts and beams.
  5. T-C cladding – Posts and Beams on any structure can be covered with a T-C “shell”.
  6. Annual limited edition T-C tiles – designed, produced, and sold each year as a fundraiser.
  7. A T-C clock – a large village clock.
  8. T-C entry arches or columns over or beside the roads that enter Alfred, marking entry into T-C town.
  9. T-C planters around the Village and Town – can be many designs and sizes.
  10. Rest spots randomly located in the area with T-C benches and T-C tile roof shelters.
  11. *The Village bandstand and corner gazebo – upgrade and trim out with T-C in many ways..
  12. *T-C house numbers – can be placed on every house.
  13. T-C trim and caps on road bridges.
  14. There can be 3 or 4 short creek bank trails that are T-C paved and trimmed..
  15. A Village entry sidewalk trail can be T-C marked and trimmed..
  16. A T-C village fountain.
  17. A T-C canopy on the business block, to replace the awnings.
  18. T-C trims added to the AU and ASC signs.
  19. T-C themed murals, depicting T-C history and production.
  20. Lighting – T-C cladding added to lamp poles and light fixtures.
  21. T-C borders can be installed along walks and around gardens and lawns.
  22. T-C street signs can be designed and constructed.
  23. T-C historical signs and building markers.
  24. T-C sidewalk pavers can replace the crumbling concrete pavers.
  25. A T-C art, visitor center, and small museum – make your own tile, throw a pot, and learn T-C history.
  26. Construct a giant T-C turtle (Terra the turtle?) Her shell can be T-C tiles. This will be the visitor photo op.
  27. Have a T-C turtle mascot, a terrapin – She could be coordinated with the giant turtle, “Terra”.
  28. T-C sidewalk waste receptacles.
  29. A T-C maze or labyrinth.
  30. T-C tiles salvaged from roof replacements can be used by residents for whatever projects they can imagine.
  31. A T-C Sundial
  32. T-C  roadside “posts” located on area roads, pointing to Alfred.
  33. T-C signs that say “Smile you’re in Terra Cotta Land”.
  34. T-C business signs
  35. T-C mileage to other places signs.
  36. Memory tiles – Graduating students can select and engrave their name and class year on a special T-C tile, to commemorate their class year. This can also be done for alumni from past years.

Possible applications for terra cotta design are unlimited. We know of no other community that is using terra cotta in this way, or has the abilities we have to do it. We have resources through the schools in our valley that can help with marketing, design, architecture, production, construction, sculpture and art. Everyone can be involved in this project, and it will help students connect with our community. It will be an emphatic statement that Alfred is “Outside of Ordinary”, and the world center for ceramics.

Any / all additional ideas are welcome. Please email them to alfredny21cg@gmail.com. Thank you.

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Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

PO Box 1182
Alfred NY 14802

alfredny21cg@gmail.com
+(585) 648-6560

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Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

PO Box 1182
Alfred NY 14802

alfredny21cg@gmail.com
+(585) 648-6560
(Bob’s phone, please leave a message)

Main Street Flowers

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

Main Street Flowers

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

Christmas Decors

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

The Bandstand On The Village Green

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

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Main St./w. Univ. St Corner Gazebo

We could learn; how to do, what to do, and how long such a project might take, while working on a small structure. Therefore, we started on it, with pressure washing to clean and brighten up the wood. Sean Hyland volunteered and did the main roof tile repair. Days later, on a student service day, we started staining the wood a terra cotta color. This was the start of the cleaning and staining, which we followed with more of the same, so that now the most visible part of the structure has been done. A small portion toward the back remains to be done. A chemical cleaner was applied to the roof tiles. Thecomposite benches were effectively cleaned and some repair done, and a trial cleaning was done on the ground pavers. Finally, we added a banner across the front to make an “Alfred” statement. People can now get a beginning idea of what can be done and what it will look like. There are other finishing touches that can further brighten up the gazebo, but the work and learning has started in earnest. In the spring the cleaning and staining will be finished, and perhaps a light string can be added to the outline of the structure to highlight it and make it sparkle.

Life was hard

… for the early pioneers, and those who followed, as they worked to clear the land, built homes, and attempted to live on the crops and livestock they raised. As people got settled and land was better cleared, they were able to focus on businesses other than farming. Commerce began to thrive as products were made for sale, both locally and regionally; for example, potash, maple sugar, cheese, and surplus crops.

As most of the early settlers were Seventh Day Baptists, they brought their ideals and common religious practices to Alfred: ideals that strongly influenced the development of the town for over one hundred and fifty years. Their Saturday Sabbath-keeping meant that businesses were closed on Saturdays and open on Sundays. They were fairly liberal minded. As a result, they were strong abolitionists who worked to abolish slavery by vocally opposing it, participated in the Underground Railroad, and volunteered to fight in the Civil War. They were also much more open in their attitude toward women’s rights than most other people of their time.

The 1851 opening of the Erie Railroad had a major effect on day-to-day life in Alfred. Agricultural goods (including dairy and cheese products) were now easily shipped to larger markets and travel between cities was opened up as passenger trains ran the lines. A notable section of the railroad, “Tip Top” Is just over the hill from Alfred. it was so named because it’s the highest point on the Erie line between New York City and Chicago. Early steam trains had to work hard to make it over the top.

Small and large businesses flourished in the town during the nineteenth century as did the educational system. The Alfred Select School opened in 1836 to provide an education beyond the local one room schoolhouses. Open to both men and women, it soon grew and became Alfred Academy in 1843 and was incorporated as Alfred University in 1857. Due to the liberal nature of the townspeople and to strong leaders, the students were exposed to women’s rights and equality for all people at an unusually early time. Famous speakers often came to town: Frederick Douglass, Julia Ward Howe, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony, to name a few. 

The Celadon Terra Cotta Company, opened in 1888 and was soon producing decorative roof tiles made from the local shale, which, when fired in a kiln, turned a distinctive terra cotta reddish color. Many structures in Alfred still have roofs constructed with these tiles, which give our community a special aura, and speak of this important ceramics history. Celedon co-founder John Jake Merrill, also a New York State Tax Commissioner, was instrumental in obtaining the passage of the 1900 bill establishing the New York State School of Clayworking and Ceramics. This became the current New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. A second factory, operated by the Rock Cut Clay Company (later called the Alfred Clay Company), opened in Alfred Station and produced bricks and roofing tiles.

Continuing the expansion of educational offerings, the School of Agriculture opened with more state funding in 1908 as New York State was looking for ways to provide rural youths instruction in agriculture and domestic science. This school was eventually incorporated into the State University of New York when that formed in 1948, and is today known as Alfred State College. 

While the institutions of higher education play a central role in Alfred’s daily activities, it’s important also to remember that no town is complete or flourishing without volunteer organizations that work toward noble and good causes, or the businesses that provide essential goods and services. Alfred’s history, past and present, is full of such organizations and businesses, some of which have operated for decades while others lasted only a short time.

Many wonder how Alfred got its name but no one can give a definitive answer. The most likely theory is that it is named for Alfred the Great, king of the Saxons in England, also known as the “Education King.” Whatever the truth, the community of Alfred prides itself not only on its role in education, (preschool through doctoral programs) but also on its longstanding and rich ceramics heritage. 

This Alfred History has been adapted and condensed from a history of Alfred written by Laurie Lounsberry Meehan, Alfred historian, and was originally written as the introduction to the book “Alfred and Alfred Station”.