The Corinthian January 2008

The Corinthian Newsletter of the Greece Historical Society &Museum 595 Long Pond Road, P.O. Box 16249, Rochester, NY 14616-0249,

http://historicalsociety.greeceny.org

January 2008 Volume 29, Number 1 – Issued Bi-Monthly Telephone: 585-225-7221 OFFICERS:......................................... . PRESIDENT: Bill Sauers VICE PRESIDENT: Wendy Peeck TREASURER Keith Kroon SECRETARY: Roberta Young EXEC. DIR.: Lorraine Beane DIRECTORS: Phyllis Brown James Butts William Coe Carol Fumia Paula Koerner Joan Korsch Keith Kroon Alan Mueller Wendy Peeck Bill Sauers Cynthia Shevlin Jack Wallenhorst Viola White Roberta Young HONORARY Dir. Donald Newcomb COMMITTEE CHAIRS:..................... BLDG. & HOUSE: NEEDED GIFT SHOP: Wendy Peeck MEMBERSHIP Bernie Wallenhorst MUSEUM: Phyllis Brown HISTORIAN OFFICE Alan Mueller COMPUTER: Jack Wallenhorst TOURS: Kathy Firkins NEWSLETTER… EDITORS: Edie & Bill Coe MAILING: Betty Fetter PLANNING: NEEDED PUBLICITY: Bill Sauers PROGRAMS: Bill Sauers Lorraine Beane

INSIDE: Sheriff’s History City Parks President’s Message From Desk of Exec. Dir. Gift Shop Offerings Ada Exhibit Quilts Galore 2007 Was a Good Year Mark Your Calendars Random Activities -Pictures Book Order Form Membership Application Bring Family & Visitors To See Greece Museum PLEASE SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

JANUARY and FEBRUARY PRESENTATIONS PLEASE PUT THESE 7:00 p.m. DATE AND TOPICS ON YOUR CALENDAR.

MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE GREECE TOWN HALL 7:00 P.M., TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE by Todd Allen The Monroe County Sheriff's Office was formed in 1821 with the appointment of Brockport merchant James Seymour as the first Sheriff. Seymour served a oneyear term and was succeeded by John T. Patterson, who served from 1822 to 1825. In 1825, James Seymour would return to office, this time as the elected Sheriff. The three-year term of office would continue until 1980, at which time it was changed to a four-year term. Be sure to attend to hear about the other sheriffs since 1828 with an emphasis on Albert Skinner. 7:00 P.M., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008

HISTORY OF ROCHESTER CITY PARKS by Jim Farr Jim Farr, assistant director of the City Parks & Recreation Department, will discuss the history of the city’s park system from its inception in 1888 to today. He will present many historic slides. Picture shows Seneca Park maypole. VISITORS ARE WELCOME EVERY SUNDAY FROM 2:00 UNTIL 4:30 p.m. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN YOU AT THESE ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AT REGULAR MEETINGS, AN ADMISSION DONATION OF $1.00 IS APPRECIATED FROM NON-MEMBERS

SERVING GREECE FOR OVER 35 YEARS

HELP PRESERVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE

2

 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

I

t takes many people to run a successful organization. The following are some of the people who gave their time this past year to help the Greece Historical Society. Cathy Anderson, Lorraine Beane, Anne Berl, Catriona Braun, Carolyn Brewer, Phyllis Brown, Jim Butts, Pat Butts, Steve Cantatore, Edie Coe, Bill Coe, Faye Cole, Edith Crawford, Dan DiBernardo, Paige Doerner, Tracie Doerner, Betty Fetter, Kathleen Firkins, Pat Flugel, Carol Fumia, Evelyn Gardner, Pat Haines, George Haines, Mary Lou Hartley, Jack Heller, Allison Hopkins, Lois Janiak, Eleanor Kanous, Paula Koerner, Joan Korsch, Lucy Kraemer, Keith Kroon, Lorna Logan, Sharon Logan, Martha March, Alan Mueller, Pat Palumbo, Wendy Peeck, Bill Peeck, Andrea Peeck, Chris Peeck, Joe Riesenberger, Carol Riesenberger, Renee Sanger, Julie Sawnor, Dot Schommer, Tom Schommer, John Schroedl, Cyndi Shevlin, Betty Smith, Dee Stein, Fred Stock, Mary Lou Straub, Lee Strauss, Richard Strauss, Joan Sullivan, Bev Tulloch, Bernice Wallenhorst, Jack Wallenhorst, Viola White, Joshua Woodland, Roberta Young, and the members of Lakeview Garden Club, Shorewood Garden Club, Thyme in the Garden Garden Club and Wildwood Garden Club. To all of you, and to anyone I may have forgotten(?). THANK YOU Bill Sauers, President (Thanks to you, too, Bill Sauers, Editor) From the Desk of the Executive Director It doesn’t mean anything about the Christmas season, but Humbug! – what a time we have been having at the Museum!

In November, two men were doing an energy audit and said that we passed their inspection. But, the upper loft furnace wasn’t working correctly! After three days, we had a repairman say that we needed a new furnace damper. We said fix it and it was very frustrating getting the part in and fixed. The next day our security system company called to say an alarm went off and that a basement window was open. On a bad, stormy, windy Friday it was checked out and it was broken. Now, we are waiting for a new window in a tight, dark spot of the basement to be replaced. This job is not humdrum by any means. It’s a good thing that I watch all the home improvement shows! We do have great service companies in our town. My friend, Craig Ristuccia of Straight Line Contractors is quick to run out and check and help us. Many times the town employees Steve Cantatore and a coworker show up in a hurry to help too. We really appreciate their help. Nothing can happen for the rest of the month. We’re all going to enjoy the holidays. Happy New Year to all of you faithful members for all you do to support the staff. We are always thinking of what you want us to do and the museum belongs to all of you. Come often! Please read the column in the “Greece Post” called the “Historical Notebook.” It appears monthly and it gives me a space to talk about history. Call 225-7221 if you would like to help or advise us. Lorraine Beane, Executive Director

3

GIFT SHOP OFFERINGS Our Museum Gift Shop offers a variety of items for gift-giving. We have local history books; books by local authors; Greece teeshirts, sweatshirts & mugs; tapestry throws depicting historic Greece Buildings; cookbooks; and a variety of unique one-of-akind items. New this year - Jacob's Ladder - the toy that needs no battery. Or, the perfect gift - a Gift Certificate to the Museum Gift Shop. Stop in and check us out Sundays 2:00-4:30 p.m. Happy Holidays. “Eight Miles Along the Shore—An Illustrated History of Greece, N.Y.” continues to be one of our best selling books. The regular Gift Shop hours are Sundays from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. and during office hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Call 585-225-7221 for an appointment for any other times. Wendy Peeck

If you have questions, contact Phyllis Brown at (585) 865-4168 or 225-7221

QUILTS GALORE On Sunday, March 2 at 2:30 P.M., the Museum Curatorial Committee has arranged to have a costumed person from the Genesee Country Village to present their Movable Museum of Quilts. She will talk about 19th century quilts and bring patterns and samples from that time period. Also, our committee will feature quilts from our collection plus from other local quilters during the month of March. Come to see their colorful exhibit, which will be displayed in all rooms on the first floor of the Museum.

See you soon. The Gift Shop Staff

2007 WAS A GOOD YEAR MUSEUM HAPPENINGS THE EVER CHANGING RIDGE — KNOWN AS ‘ADA’ The current new exhibit at the Museum is called “The Ever Changing Ridge (ADA)” A thriving little community was located where Long Pond Road crossed Ridge Road around 1900. This was called Ada because the local postmaster came from Ada, Michigan, and named it after his former place. After rural free delivery was instituted, the name fell into disuse. Today, the Greece Town Mall is on the site of the old post office. Our exhibit includes pictures and artifacts from Buckman’s, Former Greece Town Hall, Greece Grange, Greece Baptist Church, St. John’s Catholic Church, and other related homes and businesses up to the present time. Phyllis Brown, Committee Chairperson

Several activities occurred in 2007 that added up to a great year for the Greece Historical Society. We were able to make needed repairs to our security system, paint the living and dining rooms (which had not been painted for nearly 20 years), purchase a color photo printer and digital camera for our work with our archives, and replace three mannequins in disrepair with Dorfman Museum Figures. A workshop for Greece teachers made available to them our local history archives as they planned Social Studies curriculum. The Chili Historical Society made a special visit to tour our Museum. Our monthly meetings were a huge success this year – due in large part to the talents of Bill Sauers, our President, Program Chairman, and publicity specialist. All of the presentations were excellent, including the November meeting on the “First Ferry to Fast Ferry” which was attended by well over 150 people,

4 many of whom recalled their activities on the Ontario ferries. The audience participation was most welcome.

SOME RANDOM ACTIVITIES

Because of our membership base and activities serving our community, we were fortunate to receive two grants from Senator Joseph Robach and Assemblyman William Reilich, as well as one from Wal-Mart. The Dewey-Stone exhibit was seen by over 2000 visitors. Our present exhibit highlights Long Pond Road and Ridge Roads – once know as Ada. “The Ever Changing Ridge” exhibit takes us from pioneer days to the coming of the Greece Town Mall. The Victorian Yuletide and Christmas Toys display was featured in December. The Gift Shop has added many new books on local history. All in all, we have had a good year. Thanks to all the volunteers who made all this possible.

Phyllis Brown is busy with archives

Each member is encouraged to join the volunteer crusade to help make more things happen in 2008. Call 225-7221 to get started.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 2008 MONTHLY PRESENTATIONS SCHEDULE Jan. 8 “History of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office,” Todd Allen Feb. 12 “History of the City Parks,” Jim Farr Mar. 12 “The Street Car System,” Charles Lowe Apr. 8 “Adventure with Antiques,” Bob Klein May 13 “Annual Meeting” Monthly programs are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the Greece Town Hall, One Vince Tofany Blvd (off Long Pond Road, north of Latta Road). Reservations are not required. Society members are FREE, a donation is appreciated from others. For more information, visit our website at: http://historicalsociety.greeceny.org Phone: 585-225-7221; or write to Greece Historical Society, P.O. Box 16249, Rochester, NY 14616-0249. Visit the Greece Museum at 595 Long Pond Rd.; Open Sundays 2:00 – 4:30 P.M., or by appointment.

Several Garden Clubs keep our gardens looking beautiful

Greece Town Supervisor John Auberger, right, visits Bill Sauers, Pres. and Lorraine Beane, Exec. Dir.

5

There were many stories about the Ontario I & II Ferries

Joe Robach and John Auberger help Wendy Peeck open the Ada Exhibit

The Staff takes time to watch the Memorial Day Parade from our front porch

Jim Fleming reviews the biography of Barber Conable, Jr.

Bill and Susan Sauers sample the appetizers at the Christmas Party Visitors came from all galaxies for the scary Halloween Program

Pictures courtesy of Bill Sauers, Alan Mueller, and Bill Coe