Program Archives & Recorded Lectures

Explore recorded programs, lectures, and community presentations from the Greece Historical Society.

About These Archives

The Greece Historical Society has presented a wide range of public programs and lectures, both in person and online. During periods of social distancing, many programs were offered through virtual platforms and recorded with permission from the presenters.

These recordings are preserved here and on the Society’s YouTube channel. Each entry includes the program date, subject categories, and a brief description to support further exploration. Some programs are also connected to Bicentennial Snapshots and Living in Greece stories, offering additional historical context.

We invite you to explore these programs and continue the conversation about our community’s past.

The Highland Park Children’s Pavilion

November 8, 2022 Recorded: November 8, 2022 7:00 pm Length: 00:53:13

Presenter(s): Joann Beck

Joann Beck from the Highland Park Conservancy spoke at the Greece Historical Society program, discussing the Frederick Law Olmsted designed Highland Park and the advocacy for the reconstruction of the Children’s Pavilion. The program also highlighted the Quinn Family's contributions....
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“Set in Stone”: The History of Cobblestone Masonry

September 13, 2022 Recorded: September 13, 2022 7:00 pm Length: 00:58:13

Presenter(s): Douglas Farley

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

July 2, 2022 Recorded: May 8, 2012 7:00 pm Length: 00:49:23

Presenter(s): James H. Johnson

In a 2012 recording, architect James H. Johnson discussed his career and unique architectural designs, such as the Liberty Pole, Temple Sinai, the Mushroom House, and St. John the Evangelist Church. He passed away in 2016, but his groundbreaking work...
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Up Close with Two Greece Pioneer Families featuring the Volkmar, Cole/Kenyon Families

May 10, 2022 Recorded: May 10, 2022 7:00 pm Length: 00:57:10

Presenter(s): Jo Ann Ward Snyder, Maire Poinan, Carolyn Kerhaert, Deborah Cole Myers, and Mauren Murphy

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...
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Thomas W. Boyde Jr. Research Project

March 13, 2022 Recorded: April 12, 2022 7:00 pm Length: 01:18:38

Presenter(s): Gina DiBella, Christopher Brandt, Katie Eggers Comeau, and Jeffery A. "Free" Harris, and Jeffery A. "Free" Harris

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...
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Monroe County Bicentennial Reflections (Feb. 2021)

March 9, 2022 Recorded: March 9, 2021 7:00 pm Length: 00:54:59

Presenter(s): Monroe County Historian Carolyn Vacca

On March 9, 2021, at the Greece Public Library, Monroe County Historian Carolyn Vacca presented a history of the county's 200-year development through 19 towns, 10 villages, and the City of Rochester. The event, recorded by the Greece Historical Society,...
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Seabreeze Amusement Park – 142 Years of Family Fun (Jan. 2022)

January 11, 2022 Recorded: January 11, 2022 7:00 pm Length: 01:10:02

Presenter(s): Kevin Dorey

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

November 9, 2021 Recorded: November 9, 2021 7:00 pm Length: 00:51:36

Presenter(s): Marie Villone Poinan and JoAnn Ward Snyder

Co-authors Marie Villone Poinan and JoAnn Ward Snyder conducted extensive research to create and publish a two-volume work on pioneer families who settled in Greece before 1872. The publication features family contributions, vignettes, photos, and present-day family member insights. Volume...
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Life within the Boundaries of our Airport (Oct. 2021)

October 12, 2021 Recorded: October 12, 2021 7:00 pm Length: 00:59:15

Presenter(s): Rick Iekel

"Stranger Than Fiction" is a presentation by Rick Iekel focusing on the trials and triumphs associated with running the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. Iekel, with 28 years of experience including roles as Assistant Airport Manager and Director of...
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Flower Industry in Western NY (June 2021)

June 19, 2021 Recorded: June 19, 2021 1:00 pm Length: 00:45:48

Presenter(s): Nellie Gardner

In June 2021, Nellie Gardner spoke at the Greece Historical Society giving an insight into the flower industry of Western NY, and presented her own flower business. She demonstrated her unique skill in making bouquets, a skill she acquired without...
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Use Notice: These recordings are the property of the Greece Historical Society and the Presenter unless otherwise noted. They are provided for personal, educational, and research use only. Permission is required for any reproduction, redistribution, or publication.