Hugh M. Collins, Troop 1 Scout (1947-1951)

A box of Scout memorabilia donated to our Troop 1 BSA Unadilla Boy Scout Museum recently at first glance didn’t hold much of interest. The short inventory included two Cub Scout membership cards (1947-1949), a stamped metal Cub Scout neckerchief slide and another leather neckerchief slide embossed B.S.A. CRUMHORN MOUNTAIN 1950. Three Boy Scout membership cards (1949-1951), a Handbook for Boys (fifth edition-June 1948)—all spoke of the typical stuff of a young boy’s hike along the Trail of Scouting in the late 1940s and 1950s. Two boys’ novels, The Banner Scouts On A Tour by “Professor” George Warren and The Boy Scouts in Camp by George Dunston, silently spoke of his reading interests. A 1950s-style aluminum cook kit, a knife-fork-spoon set stamped “stainless steel and a little aluminum B.S.A. Bantam Lite mini-flashlight were all indicative of his personal camping gear of the time.

We were somewhat puzzled by a painted tuna-fish can and wood handle “liberty torch” until we remembered the National BSA theme in 1950 was "Strengthen The Arm of Liberty” This item might have been a handmade prop for a den skit at a pack meeting.

The box also contained Hugh’s 1948 Certificate of Completion in the Unadilla 4H Rotary Poultry Club for raising poultry, a pair of tickets for the 1950 New Mexico vs. Army game at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and two little carved wooden plaques—one of a duck and the other of what might be a cowboy hat.

The rank and membership cards, the handbook, and many oft he other items are marked “Hugh N. Collins, 34 Fellows Street, Unadilla, NY, Troop #1.” A check of the Troop 1 Book of Names shows Hugh first joined the troop in 1949 (after two years as a Cub Scout in Pack 1) when his father Ernest M. Collins became the Scoutmaster (and explains why a small folder with a card detailing “The Scoutmaster’s Job” was also found in the box.) Hugh continued with the troop through 1951 when he reached 2^nd class. But his father was replaced as Scoutmaster that year by Arthur Sommers, who was Assistant Scoutmaster the previous year. Hugh and his father does not appear in Troop 1 records after 1951.

The vast bulk of Scouting items, like most of Hugh’s items, exist to recognize a Scout for his accomplishments in Scoutcraft, to engender feelings of kinship with other Scouts similarly outfitted, and to assist in the practice of his or her Scouting. Everything pertaining to Scouting can be collected—cloth and metal insignia, uniforms and awards, and extends to handbooks and advancement pamphlets, postage stamps, magazines, camping equipment issued by a national Scout organization, photographs, coffee mugs, and other items—but we think the items that tell a story the more interesting.

Our museum houses and displays Scouting items that chronicle the hundred year story of Scouting in Unadilla to the members of our troop and preserve our legacy for museum visitors in the future. None of Hugh’s items are especially valuable as collectibles, but in the story they tell of one young Unadilla Scout’s experience in America’s Centennial Boy Scout Troop,” they are invaluable.
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Our thanks go to Carl Staff and his wife for donating Hugh Collins’ Scout items to the Unadilla Troop 1 Museum.

Scoutmaster Doug Campbell Checks In...

Douglas Campbell, Scoutmaster 1978-1979

Hello, my name is Doug Campbell. I met you in association with Troop 1 in the late Seventies. I was a fill-in Scoutmaster and assistant SM for a few years with Troop 1. I also was an Eagle Scout (1971) through the troop. I have been told by my parents and my brother that Troop 1 is planning a special celebration this year, the big 100 !!

I still have in my possession my Eagle Badge, patch collection, neckerchief collection and some older BSA memorabilia that I would be happy to part with for a good cause. I now live in Conesus NY (near Geneseo) and come back home from time to time. Can you give me someone to get in touch with about this summer's plans? Thanx for your time. Doug

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Doug, welcome back to the fold! I was the Scoutmaster that was recruited by Al Clune to take your place when I arrived back in Unadilla in the fall of 1979. I still remember the Dutch oven stew you cooked for the troop one meeting night to help illustrate camp cooking. Here's an upcoming event you might like to be a part of:

As a defacto member of the Troop 1 Lyon Patrol Alumni Association, I want to give you first opportunity to attend a once-in-a-century event, the Centennial Alumni Banquet, held in conjunction with the NYS Encampment on the week-end of May 14-16, 2010. Banquet goers will get a special pre-opening look at the new exhibit, "100 Years of Scouting in Unadilla" being installed in the Community Center (former Masonic Temple) and meet President Teddy Roosevelt (a "bully" fan of Scouts and last seen in Unadilla in 1910.)

We have a home for your badges and memorabilia in the exhibits. If you would like to make a donation of those items, the Unadilla Historical Association can help you with the listings and forms.

Be sure to check out the Troop's history blogsite: http://trp1bsaunadillahist.blogspot.com and

the Lyon Patrol Report (Troop 1 Alumni) blogspot: http//lyonpatrolreport.blogspot.com.

Donald Tuttle, Lyon Patrol Leader
Troop 1 BSA Unadilla NY