The antique Chandler & Price Letterpress, which was used for more than four decades by Martin Boener Jr., now rests at its new home at 1364 River St., as part of the museum’s upgraded “Communications in Niagara” exhibit.

For 43 years, Boener made a living by providing his print serves to community members while he successfully ran the Niagara Journal.

“He set type by hand — one letter at a time with this beauty,” said Niagara Area Historical Society President Karen Klenke. “The man was a genius — he was the keeper of Niagara when you think about it.”

Society member Bruce Redmond documented a timeline noting the 1,500-pound press had been moved to nine locations since approximately 1930.

Karen Klenke photo CITY OF NIAGARA crew member Jim Stachowicz helps with the relocation of the antique Chandler & Price Letterpress to the Niagara Area Historical Museum as Historical Society Member Bruce Redmond awaits.

“By researching the serial number, I was able to find the year and that it was manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio,” said Redmond.

Klenke and her husband Jeff purchased the Niagara Journal from Boener in February of 1973. At that time they relocated the equipment to their office building on Roosevelt Road.

The Klenkes hired Boener to do special print jobs such as business cards and posters. “He really has been the only person that knew how to run it,” she said. “We didn’t know anything about it.”

The small antique press, along with the larger press used to print the town’s weekly tabloid-type paper, had been most recently stored in what is known as the Schintgen shed near the fishing ponds, she said.

Because of the lack of space, the society for the past several years had pushed off the thought of possibly being able to display the important piece of history.

Karen Klenke photo NIAGARA AREA HISTORICAL Society Member Bruce Redmond, with the help of City of Niagara crew workers Jim Stachowicz and Matt Zanon, position the antique Chandler & Price printing press in its new exhibit area at the Niagara Area Historical Museum, 1364 River St. in Niagara, Wis.

“We are lucky the small printing press met the measurement requirements to be able to show it off for everyone to enjoy,” Klenke said.

Help from three city crew workers made the move possible, she said.

“The city crew was diligent in their desire to help us and treated it with the respect it deserves,” she said.

Before the move, the crew added wheels to help with transport and power washed it.

Redmond noted the city has been involved with the move several times as well as the mill.

The larger press remains tucked in the corner at the city garage. “We kind of like it there — even the city crew has developed an appreciation for the beautiful piece of history,” she said.

In addition to the featured piece, the exhibit currently has a printers-type cabinet with metal type and tools of the trade, along with articles and examples of printed communications in Niagara.

Redmond continues to work on the display, including cleaning pieces of the press.

“Bruce is also the collector of important things that maybe would have gotten overlooked — he’s a detail man,” said Klenke, adding the importance of being a “keeper,” which she continues to do.

The day of the move, which happened to fall on Klenke’s birthday, a business card fell out of the furniture box, Redmond said. “It was Jeff Klenke’s card promoting his running for re-election to Niagara School Board — what a great birthday gift to Karen,” he said.

“How lucky are we to be the ones that saved this gem and important piece of history,” Klenke said. “I’m excited for the community to see the changes.”

The Niagara Historical Museum accepts donation for ongoing projects. Checks should be made to NAHS, and mailed to P.O. Box 114, Niagara, WI 54151.