Gary is the Historical Asset Coordinator for Wegmans. Our discussion will cover Wegmans Food Markets’ origins in Rochester, New York. We will also discuss its growth through the early 20th century. Additionally, we’ll cover its expansion beyond Rochester, the greater Rochester area, and beyond Upstate New York. Garry Harris worked as a trainer and was an employee at Chase-Pikten. He participated in the Chase-Pikten Home Show With Mike Horne when Chase-Pikten was the sponsor.
Program Archives
A Brief History of Wegmans by Gary Harris
On January 14th at 7 p.m., the Greece Historical Society will host its Second Tuesday of the Month History Talks at the Greece Arcadia Auditorium. This one will cover Wegmans Food Markets’ origins in Rochester, New York. It will also discuss its growth through the early 20th century. Additionally, it will cover its expansion beyond Rochester, the greater Rochester area, and Upstate New York. The Speaker will be Gary Harris, the Historical Asset Coordinator for Wegmans. Due to the possibility of this program’s large turnout, we ask that you reserve your seats early. The cut-off for reserving your tickets to the event will be at noon on January 14th.
This is the map of where to park, enter, and attend the program. A Section V game is set to tip off at 7:15 pm in the gym at the school. Please plan on arriving early to get a parking spot closest to the building. Note the Green Box is the Auditorium. Red Arrows indicate the two doors you will be able to enter. The Blue Information symbol marks where our registration table will be for the event.
Please reserve your tickets. The ticket reservation is live. Click the Read More button on the embedded post to reserve your tickets via the ticket engine. You can also call 585-225-7221 or email greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com
Elsa Von Blumen, Rochester’s First Female Cyclist
Elsa Von Blumen was a Rochesterian who, in the 1880s, raced high-wheeled bikes against horses, skaters, and male cyclists. She overcame challenges in a sport dominated by men. She helped inspire other women to find the courage to break social taboos. Her first professional bike race was against a horse in Rochester’s Driving Park. From Rochester, she went on to race throughout the entire Eastern United States for a decade. She was a force to be reckoned with in the cycling world. This presentation will introduce you to an Upstate New York athlete who should not be forgotten. Karen Lankeshofer is a long-time Henrietta, NY resident. She is an avid bike rider and advocates for safe cycling infrastructure. She enjoys studying history, especially if it pertains to Upstate New York. Her presentation is a tribute to a pioneering female professional athlete.
The Late Great Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. by Donovan Shilling
Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. may have started as a simple dry goods store in 1868 at 73 Main Street. Still, following a devastating fire in 1904, it was rebuilt and eventually became the largest department store between New York City and Chicago. Join us as we learn the history of this iconic store and the legacy and memories it left behind. Please share your memories of Sibley’s on either our Facebook page from the event or on the YouTube video for a sense of engagement it helps out a lot to get people to engage with us this will be one of the pages that will allow commenting on.
Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, known informally as Sibley’s, was a Rochester, New York–based department store chain with stores located exclusively in the state of New York. Its flagship store, at 228 East Main Street in downtown Rochester, also housed its headquarters and featured an elegant executive dining room on the top floor.
Donovan Shilling, a native of Fairport, has written more than a dozen books about the history of Rochester. He is a retired middle school science teacher and administrator, has taught classes on local history to adults at the Rochester Museum and Science Center for more than 20 years, and is a long-time member of the Greece Historical Society.
The Kannewischer Family: From Berlin to Rochester to Arlidge Drive
An illustrated talk on four generations of a remarkable local family, whose lives, work, recreation, and experiences are chronicled by an extensive archive of historic photographs and documents that span 150 years and have never before been seen outside their family. Historian Cynthia Howk’s talk is in honor of Greece resident, Betty Fetter, now 102 years old, whose care of this unique archive, preserves an important American story.
The Kannewischer Family Live Stream
Historian Cynthia Howk presents an illustrated talk about the remarkable local Fetter family, covering 150 years of their life, work, and experiences through an extensive archive of historical photographs and documents previously unseen outside the family. This tribute honors 102-year-old Betty Fetter, custodian of this unique American story.
The Stream Will Go Live at this link here https://www.youtube.com/live/scsHuvT0nz4?si=VPrQMBjQO19kdgjM at 6:45 pm to ensure the video and audio settings are working and then the program will start at 7 pm broadcasted from the Greece Central School District Transportation and Student Services building on Latta Road at Mount Read Blvd.
Join Us for M & M Sunday! April 21, 2024
On April 21, 2024, from 2 pm to 4 pm, we will be hosting two of our top researchers and presenters Maureen Whalen and Marie Poinan are often the face of Local History in our town and the broader community. They both have given many informative talks at the Greece Museum, the Charlotte Branch Library, and several other sites around town. Their subjects have covered a wide range of topics from “A to Z” (ancestors to zoo!) Each has published and assisted others in numerous books and articles. Their audiences are always eager to hear their well-researched presentations.
M & M Sunday will honor them, along with other leaders of the Greece Historical Society. Come to thank Maureen and Marie along with other “behind the scenes” folks who make our historical society one of the best in New York State.
While there, enjoy M & M Sundaes, prepared by Jane Grant.
ROC 2024 Solar Eclipse: Preparing for Totality
BY Dan Schneiderman
Greece Central School District’s Transportation & Support Service Facility, 1790 Latta Road
On Monday, April 8, 2024, The Rochester area will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse for the first time in almost a century. A total solar eclipse occurs when a portion of Earth is engulfed in a shadow cast by the moon which fully blocks sunlight.
Check out more about the total eclipse in Rochester at https://rochestereclipse2024.org/
Join us as Dan Schneiderman, the Eclipse Partnership Coordinator at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, discusses the science and history of solar eclipses, the impact the eclipse will have on our region, and how to prepare for this extraordinary astronomical opportunity.
Celebrating 50 years of WDKX (103.9)
Join Us on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 7 PM, at the Greece Central School District’s Transportation & Support Services Building, 1790 Latta Road, for a program on the History of WDKX the first and only African-American-owned station in Rochester, New York. The station was founded by Andrew Langston. Andre Langston & Andria B. Langston are the current owners of the radio station. The reason they chose the call sign WDKX is an acronym for and keeping with its urban contemporary format used the call letters to honor African-American Heros and one of them was a Rochesterian at the time of their death;
- W stands for radio stations located east of the Mississippi River
- D stands for Frederick Douglass
- K stands for Martin Luther King, Jr.
- X stands for Malcolm X
WDKX uses an 800-watt transmitter to broadcast its radio station. The station went live on April 6, 1974, at 5:30 AM and has been broadcasting 24/7 ever since. WDKX is one of only two remaining Urban stations in New York State.
The Station received the first-ever Pioneer Award from the Rochester Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Andrew A. Langston, founder, owner, and general manager of 103.9 WDKX FM, was among the inaugural inductees into the New York State Broadcasters Associations Hall of Fame in June 2014.
Andrew Langston died in 2010 at the age of 82. His son, Andre Langston, continues to operate the station as the current general manager and is our scheduled speaker.
Other Locations WDKX was featured or mentioned in:
- mentioned on “Super Hoe” Boogie Down Productions Criminal Minded 1987
- VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2005
- Hart of the City in 2019 (Season 3, Episode 5) which was produced by Kevin Hart and Joey Wells in Episode 5 of Season 3 featured three African-American comedians from Rochester, New York, Joel Jones, Travis Blunt, and Zack Johnson, and was filmed at Photo City Improv & Comedy Club / Photo City Music Hall on the corner of Atlantic Ave and Culver Road.
The station has a wide-ranging playlist, from classic soul to current hip hop/R&B.
You can learn more about WDKX History at https://wdkx.com/about
Celebrating 50 years of WDKX (103.9)
Join Us on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 7 PM, at the Greece Central School District’s Transportation & Support Services Building, 1790 Latta Road, for a program on the History of WDKX the first and only African-American-owned station in Rochester, New York. The station was founded by Andrew Langston. Andre Langston & Andria B. Langston are the current owners of the radio station. The reason they chose the call sign WDKX is an acronym for and keeping with its urban contemporary format used the call letters to honor African-American Heros and one of them was a Rochesterian at the time of their death;
- W stands for radio stations located east of the Mississippi River
- D stands for Frederick Douglass
- K stands for Martin Luther King, Jr.
- X stands for Malcolm X
WDKX uses an 800-watt transmitter to broadcast its radio station. The station went live on April 6, 1974, at 5:30 AM and has been broadcasting 24/7 ever since. WDKX is one of only two remaining Urban stations in New York State.
The Station received the first-ever Pioneer Award from the Rochester Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Andrew A. Langston, founder, owner, and general manager of 103.9 WDKX FM, was among the inaugural inductees into the New York State Broadcasters Associations Hall of Fame in June 2014.
Andrew Langston died in 2010 at the age of 82. His son, Andre Langston, continues to operate the station as the current general manager and is our scheduled speaker.
Other Locations WDKX was featured or mentioned in:
- mentioned on “Super Hoe” Boogie Down Productions Criminal Minded 1987
- VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2005
- Hart of the City in 2019 (Season 3, Episode 5) which was produced by Kevin Hart and Joey Wells in Episode 5 of Season 3 featured three African-American comedians from Rochester, New York, Joel Jones, Travis Blunt, and Zack Johnson, and was filmed at Photo City Improv & Comedy Club / Photo City Music Hall on the corner of Atlantic Ave and Culver Road.
The station has a wide-ranging playlist, from classic soul to current hip hop/R&B.
You can learn more about WDKX History at https://wdkx.com/about
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Western NY
Professor Oberg will discuss Indigenous land rights in western New York, and how state and federal governments, and legal systems, have underappreciated enduring and powerful Native American claims to the land in our part of the state.
Michael Leroy Oberg, the author of Native America, is a Distinguished Professor of History at SUNY-Geneseo and founder of the Geneseo Center for Local and Municipal History, which he directed from 2019 until 2022.
Learn More about Michael Leroy Oberg from his website https://michaelleroyoberg.com/
New Date for Our January Educational Program
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Western NY by Professor Michael Oberg
New Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Greece Central School District Building 1790 Latta Road
Quick update there will be a live stream as well as a way to interact with the program with chat features powered by YouTube Our Program on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Western NY Talk – Live Stream. This feed will go live around 6:45 pm to get the settings and cameras ready to run the stream.
Professor Oberg will discuss Indigenous land rights in western New York, and how state and federal governments, and legal systems, have underappreciated enduring and powerful Native American claims to the land in our part of the state.
Michael Leroy Oberg, the author of Native America, is a Distinguished Professor of History at SUNY-Geneseo and founder of the Geneseo Center for Local and Municipal History, which he directed from 2019 until 2022.
Learn More about Michael Leroy Oberg from his website https://michaelleroyoberg.com/
Greece Pioneer Book 2 Project Update
Challenges faced while chronicling pioneer families and tracing their descendants.
This is an update on Pioneer Families Volume 2, content chronicles the complexities experienced when researching and documenting pioneer families and their lineage. The details for this discussion were captured on November 14th, 2023, at the Greece Office of Student Transportation Services. It underlines the remarkable yet challenging task of tracing back genealogical records, delving deep into the past of pioneer families, and sketching their subsequent descendants – an effort that requires considerable patience and meticulous research. Presented by Marie V. Poinan and JoAnn Ward Snyder.
Our eight monthly Tuesday programs from the September of 2023 to June 2024 season are being held at the Greece Central School District’s Transportation and Support Services Facility on Latta Road from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. They featured local historians, authors, and humanities scholars. Our programs have earned a reputation throughout the region for providing high-quality, professional, and entertaining history lessons. We would like to thank Greece Public Library Director, Catherine Henderson, and the library staff for being so supportive and accommodating to our needs. To attend our Tuesday Monthly lectures it’s best to check our events list on Facebook for when the Tuesday Programs occur.
Upcoming programs when we resume in January 2024 the first one will be The Rights of Indigenous People in Western New York on January 9, 2024, and in February it will be the History of 103.9 WDKX on February 13, 2024.
Turning the Dirt for Frederick Douglas
Rochester’s monument to Frederick Douglass was the first in the country to honor an African American. Reverend Jackson will introduce a locally produced short film that tells the story of the monument and his vision to honor Douglass by relocating and illuminating the monument in its new location at Highland Park, and his efforts to rename the Rochester International Airport after Douglass. Additional discussion,
along with a question-and-answer session, will follow.
The Reverend Julius David Jackson, Jr. (known as JD) is the pastor of the United Church of Pittsford. Besides his numerous awards for his fraternal and civic work, he has served on boards of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Greater Rochester Commission, Big Brother Big Sisters, the School of the Arts (SOTA), and AIDs Community Health Center. He is a graduate of RIT and holds a master’s degree in Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School.
Fun in the Sun: Adventures in Outdoor Play
Before modern kids got focused on electronic games and organized sports leagues, there was a world of outdoor fun waiting for us in backyards and beyond. Bicycles took us exploring, Sleds turned every snowfall into an opportunity for excitement. Clamp-on roller skates made the sidewalk your racetrack. And a sandbox could fill hours with fun. Step back to the days when moms still said, “Go outside and play” and no one made you wear a helmet or carry a cell phone. This illustrated presentation is filled with outdoor activities and playthings that made summer fun – and still can make getting outside a destination for adventure.
Christopher Bensch became one of the curators at The Strong Museum in 1989. Since 2004, Chris has served as Vice President for Collections with oversight of the museum’s curatorial, conservation, and library functions and the more than 520,000 objects that make it the largest, most comprehensive collection of toys, games, dolls, and video games in the world. There was a bit of comedy joke from Stephen Colbert when he did his Colbert Report on Comedy Central in 2005 when the museum inducted the Cardboard Box into the Toy Hall of Fame and then again in 2008 when Stong inducted the Stick into the Toy Hall of Fame. At least the Cardboard box had memories that the folks at Toy Fair that take place at the Javits Convention Center in New York City shared with Christopher Bensch in 2006 when he attended the tradeshow. Toy Fair tradeshow is a once-a-year tradeshow and it is a trade-only event that is attended by retailers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, sales representatives, and trade guests as well as The Stong Museum because they have the National Toy Hall of Fame. For more information on what is Toy fair check out https://toyfairny.com/.
Don Riley stopped by the program and gave a little bit of a speech about the Strong Museum because he is one of the 2022 Trustees for The Strong National Museum of Play. Don Riley has been a trustee of The Strong Museum since 1989. He said the Stong currently gets up to 90,000 visitors a year but with the expansion, they predict up to one million visitors will come to the museum. If you like to stay up on what the Strong Museum has going on you can visit the Strong Museum Website https://www.museumofplay.org/ and for more information on the expansion campaign going on at the Strong Museum https://www.museumofplay.org/support/expansion-campaign/
The Highland Park Children’s Pavilion
We at the Greece Historical Society had the privilege of having Joann Beck from the Highland Park Conservancy as our speaker for the program. You can learn more about the Highland Park Conservancy at their website at highlandparkconservancy.org/
In this program we learned about the Frederick Law Olmsted designed Highland Park to emphasize its landform, atop a glacial moraine, with the Children’s Pavilion set at the highest point in the park. The three-story open-air pavilion was dedicated in 1890 and served as a landmark and gathering place for over seventy years until its demolition in 1963. Learn how the Highland Park Conservancy has advocated for the reconstruction of the Pavilion which is on track to be completed in 2024. Featured also in the video is the Quinn Family- Mark Quinn Superintendent of Horticulture, for the County of Monroe, and Rebecca Quinn Creator of the Olmstead Girl Scout badge and a leader of Daisy Troop # 60140. to learn more about the requirements for the Olmstead Girl Scout Patch you can click on this link here and it will take you right to the pdf on the requirements for the badge https://www.gswny.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gswny/documents/girl-experience/patches/GSWNY%20Celebrating%20Olmstead%20Parks%20for%20All%20People%20Council%27s%20Own%20Patch.pdf and see the patch on the Girl Scout of Western New York from the girl scout store by click on this link here https://www.girlscoutshop.com/Western-New-York-Celebrating-Olmsted-Parks-Parks-for-all-People-Patch?quantity=1&keywords=olmsted Presented by Joann Beck in cooperation with the Greece Historical Society.
