Albion Betterment Committee purchases Main Street building with goal of Santa-themed tourism center

Provided photo: Members of the Albion Betterment Committee board of directors are shown today after acquiring this building on Main Street from the estate of Henri Pulley. From left include Gary Kent, Gary Derwick, Natasha Wasuck, Joe Gehl and Jim Babcock.

ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee, which has embraced the Santa legacy for the Albion community with several projects, announced its biggest undertaking yet: turning a vacant two-story building on Main Street into a tourism center that celebrates Santa.

“We hope to create a community space where individuals can connect with friends, establish new relationships, and spread some festive cheer into Albion!” the Betterment Committee posted today on Facebook.

The ABC purchased 128 North Main St. from the estate of Henri Pulley. The site is 6,600 square feet.

The Betterment Committee wants to develop an interactive tourism center with displays about the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park, which Howard ran for many years near his farmhouse on Phipps Road.

“This is the perfect building for us,” said Natasha Wasuck, a Betterment Committee board member. “We want to help Albion capitalize on tourism.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: This statue of Santa was dedicated on June 10, 2023. It is one of several efforts from the Albion betterment Committee to celebrate the community’s Santa legacy. The mural in back was painted in 2018 by Stacey Kirby Steward. The Albion Rotary Club spearheaded that project with support from the Betterment Committee.

Howard ran a Santa School from 1937 until his death in 1966. It was the world’s first school for Santas. He was a well-known portrayer of Santa, appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade from 1948 to 1965.

The Betterment Committee on June 10, 2023 dedicated a bronze statue of Howard as Santa on Main Street. The group has put up “Believe” signs and backed other efforts in the community celebrating Santa, including the mural of Santa in a sleigh high above the County Courthouse and downtown Albion.

The Betterment Committee envisions the first floor as interactive exhibits and displays, as well as room for a bakery and food operator. Wasuck, owner of the Lockstone events center in Albion, also would like to see the Pulley site offer services, including showers, for canal boaters, cyclists and other visitors.

The second floor is envisioned to offer space for artists – painters, potters, and others in need of studio space. The second floor has large windows that let in natural light that would be ideal for artists, Wasuck said.

The Betterment Committee wants to soon tackle fixing/replacing the roof. The group is seeking grants to help with building upgrades. The group welcomes donations.

“The building is in better shape than people think,” Wasuck said. “It is structurally sound.”

Besides the roof, it will need lots of painting and some new flooring. Wasuck said some volunteers have offered to help with the work.

The Betterment Committee is a 501c3 organization that accepts tax deductible donations. Donations can be sent to Albion Betterment Committee, c/o Joe Gehl at 14487 Baker Rd. in Kent, NY 14477.

Wasuck said a GoFundMe should be live early next week to allow people to donate online.