Keeping Him Close to One's Heart

The exhibit Selected Works from the RCHS Portrait Collection closes August 22nd, 2018. One of the smaller portraits in the exhibit is a painted photograph in a silver locket case depicting Dana Bruce Wotkyns (1898-1987), given to RCHS by his estate in 1988. A fond relative would wear this color image of a beloved little boy, housed in a lovely silver frame with a special glass-covered compartment to insert a lock of his hair at the back. The locket is in its original red leather case with a velvet and silk lining. The case has a built-in stand so that the image can be displayed vertically when not being worn. The back of the locket is engraved “Dana Bruce Wotkyns / Born Nov. 3rd, 1898.”

Dana Wotkyns also appears in the other ongoing exhibit at RCHS, Kids, Kids, Kids! Growing up in Rensselaer County. On view until the end of 2018, this show touches on all aspects of children’s lives. Wotkyns appears as a young toddler in a photo with his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, taken about 1900. It was rare at the time for four generations to be living at once.

Dana Wotkyns was the only child of Tom and Blanche Wotkyns. He was born during the few years his parents lived in Pasadena, California, but grew up and lived his whole life in Troy. The family home was at 53 2nd Street. His father Tom owned and ran Tom S. Wotkyns & Co, a coal company at the foot of Fulton Street, and was also President of the National State Bank of Troy. Dana was obviously a much-adored son. His father named one of his tug boats after him in 1903!

Dana’s college years were interrupted by World War I, when he began Officers’ Training just as the war ended in November 1918. He did serve in World War II. Dana toured England, France, and Italy in 1924. His passport application for that trip lists his occupation as “the screen (actor)”, but not long after he joined the family business, first as a clerk for his father’s coal company. Tom Wotkyns died in 1926 and his wife Blanche ran the business as Dana rose to Treasurer. Dana’s early interest in the stage is evidenced by his collection of autographs and autographed photos of opera singers (c. 1920), also in the RCHS collection.

In later years, Dana lived in the Caldwell Apartments. Many of his family possessions were donated to RCHS after his death.