Program Archives

Greece Pioneer Book 2 Project Update

Challenges faced while chronicling pioneer families and tracing their descendants.

Program recorded November 14th, 2023 at the Greece Office of Student Transportation Services

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.

The mission of the Greece Historical Society is to discover, research, and preserve the history of the Town of Greece and to share that history with its residents and the local community through public programs, publications, museum exhibits, and accessibility to its archives and artifacts.

If you like to learn more about the Town of Greece’s history, consider Subscribing to the YouTube Channel Greece, New York History YouTube Channel Click that bell 🔔, and you will be notified when new content comes out from the Greece Historical Society, about the Town of Greece and its past so future generations can understand how the town has taken us on multiple journeys.

Turning the Dirt for Frederick Douglas

Recorded February 14, 2023, at the Greece Public Library Featuring Reverend Julius Jackson, Jr.

Frederick Douglass Monument and Memorial Plaza

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.

Reverend Julius David Jackson, Jr.

Fun in the Sun: Adventures in Outdoor Play

Recorded January 10, 2023, at the Greece Public Library

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

Joann Beck

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. Feature 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.

“Set in Stone”: The History of Cobblestone Masonry

Our new season of Second Tuesday of the Month programs begins on September 13, 2022, at 7 pm, in the Welsh Room at the Greece Public Library, with “Set in Stone: The History of Cobblestone Masonry”, by Douglas Farley.

Mr. Farley looks at the geological and social factors that created the perfect storm for a truly unique, regional architectural phenomenon that lasted from roughly 1820 to the end of the Civil War. Also covered is the creation of the Cobblestone Society & Museum and its growth to include its award-winning National Historic Landmark campus.

The Cobblestone Church at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion, NY
The Cobblestone Church at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion, NY
Douglas Farley
Douglas Farley

Douglas Farley is the current director of The Cobblestone Society located in Albion (Orleans County) NY, a position he has held since 2017. The Cobblestone Society interprets three National Historic Landmark cobblestone buildings and several other historic structures on their large campus. You can learn more about the Cobblestone Museum at https://www.cobblestonemuseum.org/

A brief note: In the town of Greece, there is an example of cobblestone architecture at 978 North Greece Road just south of Mill Road. You can learn more about this building by clicking the link below. Also – look for more information about the role of cobblestones in Greece in our upcoming Bicentennial Snapshots 28, 29 and 30.

The Covert-Brodie-Pollok House

“Set in Stone”: The History of Cobblestone Masonry

by Pat Worboys

Our new season of Second Tuesday of the Month programs begins on September 13, 2022, at 7 pm, in the Welsh Room at the Greece Public Library, with “Set in Stone: The History of Cobblestone Masonry”, by Douglas Farley.

Mr. Farley looks at the geological and social factors that created the perfect storm for a truly unique, regional architectural phenomenon that lasted from roughly 1820 to the end of the Civil War. Also covered is the creation of the Cobblestone Society & Museum and its growth to include its award-winning National Historic Landmark campus.

The Cobblestone Church at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion, NY
The Cobblestone Church at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion, NY
Douglas Farley
Douglas Farley

Douglas Farley is the current director of The Cobblestone Society located in Albion (Orleans County) NY, a position he has held since 2017. The Cobblestone Society interprets three National Historic Landmark cobblestone buildings and several other historic structures on their large campus. You can learn more about the Cobblestone Museum at https://www.cobblestonemuseum.org/

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this program. Please click the link below to register or you can call the Greece Public Library by phone

Set in Stone: The History of Cobblestone Masonry

Presented by Douglas Farley, Director of the Cobblestone Society in Albion, NY, in cooperation with the Greece Historical Society.

 

585-225-8951

A recording of this presentation will be available at a later date for reference only.

A brief note: In the town of Greece, there is an example of cobblestone architecture at 978 North Greece Road just south of Mill Road. You can learn more about this building by clicking the link below. Also – look for more information about the role of cobblestones in Greece in our upcoming Bicentennial Snapshots 28 and 29.

The Covert-Brodie-Pollok House

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Architect James H. Johnson at St. John’s (May 2012)

Recorded May 2012

Architect James H. Johnson talked about his career and the buildings he designed. This was recorded in May 2012 at St John the Evangelist Church, on Ridge Rd in Greece, a church he designed in 1963. Mr. Johnson died on February 2, 2016, at the age of 83. He was known, was well recognized for his unique architectural designs and innovative structures, including the Liberty Pole, Temple Sinai, the Mushroom House, Church of St. John the Evangelist, St. Januarius Church in Naples, NY, the Phyllis Wheatley Library, and many custom homes that he designed.

The Architecture of James H. Johnson
“The Architecture of James H. Johnson” is presently out of stock. We anticipate printing more in the next few months. If you are interested in getting on a waiting list, please email us at: greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com

Here is a presentation that is done on May 14, 2019, about James H. Johnson architecture

Architecture of James H. Johnson (May 2019)

Up Close with Two Greece Pioneer Families

Recorded May 10th, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Greece Public Library

Come visit with descendants of two early settlers – the Volkmar and Cole/Kenyon families. Jo Ann Ward Snyder and Maire Poinan interviewed family members when researching their book: Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece. Carolyn Kerhaert descendant of the VOLKMAR family came to Greece about 1865 and helped found St. John’s Church. Cousins Deb Myers and Maureen Murphy are descendants of the COLE and Kenyon families who settled in the area in 1814 before there was the Town of Greece or an Erie Canal. Community engagement was instrumental in preserving pioneer stories. These descendants became interested in tracing their families’ history and having their stories preserved in our Bicentennial book. Presented by Jo Ann Ward Snyder and Marie Poinan in cooperation with the Greece Historical Society.

The Volkmar, Cole/Kenyon Families are in the first volume of the Pioneers Families of the Town of Greece which you may purchase here or on Amazon.

These are the time codes for the chapters in this Tuesday’s program so you can jump right to the chapter you would like to view:

  • 0:00 – Intro
  • 0:15 – Tuesday Program Title
  • 0:39 – Introduction of A Visit with Pioneer Family Descendants
  • 1:04 – Celebrating the Pioneer Families Pre-1872
  • 1:43 – Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece Volume 1 is out
  • 2:07 – The Authors of the Two Volumes
  • 3:07 – Famous quote by Helen Keller
  • 3:51– Benefits from the Pioneer Families Project
  • 4:54 -Benefits to the Descendants and Contributors
  • 5:57 – Pioneer Families Volume 2 Release Update
  • 6:30 – Every Family Has A Story
  • 6:50 – Visit With 3 Pioneer Families Intro
  • 7:07 – The Volkmar Family by Carolyn Kerhaert
  • 18:15 – Abram Cole Family Deborah Cole Myers
  • 31:32 – Ida Kenyon by Mauren Murphy
  • 52:31 – Marie Poinan Wrapping up the Program
  • 56:10 – End Credits

This Presentation was a follow-up to the program that JoAnn Ward Snyder and Marie Poinan put on in June 2021 over Zoom.

Researching Your Town of Greece Family (June 2021)

Volume 1 of The Pioneer Families of the Town Of Greece is out now,

Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece – Volume 1

Volume 2 of The Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece will be released mid to late 2023 depending on final revisions and last-minute touches on the book. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on when the book will go live for sale.

Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece – Volume 2

A Legacy Deferred: The Architecture of Thomas W. Boyde, Jr.

Recorded April 12, 2022

The Greece Historical Society (GHS) is sponsoring a Cultural Resource Survey of The Architecture of Thomas W. Boyde, Jr., Rochester’s first African American architect. The project is funded by grants from the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Preservation League of New York State/New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and individual donations.

Please consider making a contribution to further the research on Mr. Boyde. Click Boyde Project to make a donation.

Donate
Thomas Boyde
Thomas Boyde 1930 NY Architects Office cropped to headshot

Thomas W. Boyde, Jr. was a prolific designer of Mid-Century Modern homes and businesses, but also did significant work designing buildings for economically disadvantaged communities. The survey will help identify Boyde’s built work which spans across Western New York, including several houses in the town of Greece, and bring new appreciation to the work of this supremely talented architect who left a remarkable legacy in the greater Rochester area.

The project team includes Christopher Brandt, architect at Bero Architecture PLLC; Jeffrey A. “Free” Harris, independent historian and historic preservation consultant from Hampton, VA; Katie Eggers Comeau, a former architectural historian at Bero; Gina M. DiBella, preservation consultant from Greece; Jenna Huizinga, Brighton Historian’s Office intern and SUNY Geneseo student; and Alexis Rivers, research assistant.

While conducting research, the project team discovered additional drawings, correspondence, and interviews that went beyond the original scope of the project. They are now working to raise additional funds to include this new information and complete the project.

Image from the Thomas W. Boyde, Jr. Collection at the Rochester Museum and Science Center

Please consider making a contribution to further the research on Mr. Boyde. Click Boyde Project to make a donation.

For more information on Thomas W. Boyde, Jr. and some of the work the project team has already completed, read this AIA Rochester article or view the Thomas W. Boyde, Jr. presentation made at the Syracuse University School of Architecture last fall.

Monroe County Bicentennial Reflections (Feb. 2022)

Recorded March 9, 2022, at the Greece Public Library

Monroe County Historian Carolyn Vacca presents the history of our county’s 200 years through the lens of the development of our 19 towns, 10 villages, and the City of Rochester.

Thank you to Bill Sauers and the Greece Historical Society for recording the event. For more bicentennial events and information, visit www.visitrochester.com/bicentennial

The Making of “Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece: Volume 1”

by Marie Poinan
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 7:00 p.m.
Greece Public Library

This video discusses the process that was used by co-authors Marie Villone Poinan and JoAnn Ward Snyder to research, create, and produce this two-volume publication, which highlights contributions to the town of families who settled in the area before 1872 with vignettes, photos, and input from current family members. 

Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece – Vol. 1 is available from Amazon or from our online museum gift shop, or by visiting our gift shop in the museum during our regular office hours.

Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece – Vol. 2 is expected to be ready to order Late 2023 or Early 2024.

Marie Poinan is an active member of the Greece Historical Society and the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse. She has written several booklets on local history and regularly conducts history programs at the Charlotte branch library.

Seabreeze Amusement Park – 142 Years of Family Fun (Jan. 2022)

Recorded January 11, 2022, at the Greece Public Library

Explore the history of Seabreeze Amusement Park through photographs and stories with Kevin Dorey, Seabreeze Park Historian. Seabreeze is the fourth-oldest operating amusement park in the country and has been one of Rochester’s favorite summertime playgrounds since it opened in 1879. Learn about the park’s origins as a picnic grove at the end of a steam railroad, its evolution into an amusement park, and its growth into the popular family destination that it is today.

Kevin Dorey is the historian at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit. He is an educator and avid amusement park enthusiast with a passion for history. Kevin has been actively researching and documenting Seabreeze for the past seven years; he enjoys talking with people about their memories of Seabreeze, as well as viewing their photographs, home movies, and memorabilia from the park.

Life within the Boundaries of our Airport (Oct. 2021)

Recorded October 12, 2021, at the Greece Public Library

“Stranger Than Fiction”

Life within the Boundaries of Our Airport (Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport) with Rick Iekel.

A community’s airport is a somewhat curious combination of feel-good moments and trying times. It’s the beginning of a long trip or the first “Hello” to an arriving visitor. While the experienced business person can zip through without needing anyone’s support, to the occasional traveler, the experience can be confusing and even threatening. Often, when the traveling is done, the experience generates family stories for years to come.

Join Rick Iekel as he tells the fascinating story of life within its boundaries, from an insider’s point of view.

Rick Iekel spent 28 years working at Rochester’s airport. He started his career in 1965 as a customer service agent for United Airlines, was hired by Monroe County as the Assistant Airport Manager in 1973, and took over the reins as Airport Manager from Sam Cooper when Sam retired in 1989. Prior to leaving the airport in 1993, Rick was named Director of Aviation.

Flower Industry in Western NY (June 2021)

Recorded June, 2021, at the Greece Historical Society

Come explore the Flower industry in western New York not to be mistaken with Flour Industry that was situated around the falls to be used as mills to grind the flour and wheat products.

Researching Your Town of Greece Family (June 2021)

Recorded June 8, 2021, Via Zoom

A presentation about researching your family in anticipation of the town’s Bicentennial in 2022. With Barb Koehler, JoAnn Ward Snyder, and Marie Poinan.

JoAnn Ward Snyder, and Marie Poinan followed up with a program in November with a look at who was in volume I and three family members that were featured in the book joined us for the talk called A Visit with Pioneer Family Descendants and it featured a visit by the descendants of the Volkmar and Cole/Kenyon families.

Up Close with Two Greece Pioneer Families

Volume 1 of The Pioneer Families of the Town Of Greece is out now,

Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece – Volume 1

Volume 2 of The Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece will be released mid to late 2023 depending on final revisions and last-minute touches on the book. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on when the book will go live for sale.

Pioneer Families of the Town of Greece – Volume 2

Park Avenue to Park Ridge (Hospital) (May 2021)

Recorded May 11, 2021, via zoom

Presented by Kathleen Britton, Park Avenue Hospital moved to Greece New York and became Park Ridge, then Unity, and now part of Rochester General Hospital.