Photograph by John Sipos Gail Pugh Dash was the guest speaker at the Valley Historical Society meeting in Sinclairville on the Daughters of the War of 1812.

SINCLAIRVILLE — The Valley Historical Society of the Cassadaga Valley area, held its first meeting of the year in the museum at the corner of Main and Lester streets.

Vice President Betty Jean Ridout welcomed all, and led the group in the pledge of allegiance and the Lord’s prayer. Evelyn Thorndike is the secretary of the group and John Sipos is the treasurer. Susan W. Sipos is the program chairman. The society had not met during the winter months.

The guest speaker was Gail Pugh Dash on the Daughters of the War of 1812. It was during this war that Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner.

For the opening of her speech, Dash played a recording of her granddaughter Ryleigh Jordan, a student at the West Virginia University, singing the Star Spangled Banner. The War of 1812 is referred to as the “second war of independence” for the United States, being so close to the American Revolutionary War.

Dash talked about the battle being fought in the mouth of the Canadaway Creek in Dunkirk. A large amount of history was presented, and included a picture board. Dash is a member of the Jamestown Daughters of American Revolution, and is a charter member of the local Daughters of the War of 1812, organized on Sept. 11, 2020.

The Valley Historical Society was organized by the late John and Ruth Smith in 1977, who felt the need to preserve the history of the Cassadaga Valley.

Two of the founding fathers of the historical group were present at this meeting, Walter Waite and William Hulett.

Following the program, homemade refreshments were served by member Sheryl Christy. New members are always welcome.