Historical Society
Grand Island, NY Since 1962
News Page 4 - 2010
PO Box 135
Grand Island, NY 14072
See also Historical Society Page 1
See also Historical Society Page 2
See also Historical Society Page 3
River Lea
The Grand Island Historical Society restored and maintains the farm house
known as River Lea and located in Beaver Island State Park.
It was built on Lewis F. Allen's property, Allenton Farms,
by his son, W. Cleveland Allen. Today it is owned by New York State.
Directions To River Lea
Calendar of Events
Society Officers 2009-2010
Mission Statement
Meetings
Grand Island Historical Society & River Lea History
Grand Island History - Published 1898 By Truman C. White
Jim Fisher's Avocational Archaeology & Lithic Technology Web Site
Grand Island History and Photos (Update 9/20/09)
River Lea Artists - Photos - Paintings - Artists James Edward Montanari - Eugene Matthew Dyczkowski ("Dick")
Historical Society's Successful Rootbeer Float Fundraiser- July 2010
(left) Friends of Harmony - Robin Shipman and Maggie Gushue - Marilyn Randolph, Curt Nestark, Sharon Nichols, Ruth Englert, Audra Wynne, and Emily Wynne. Click photos for full view
Grand Island Historical Society members set up their annual root beer float stand at Klingel Town Commons during the Tuesday, July 13, 2010 band concert and completely sold out. The town sponsored "Friends of Harmony" (barbershop) concert was most enjoyable, with the patriotic slant absolutely heart warming for many of us. Thanks to the audience for supporting our historical society's fundraiser deemed a complete success.
Historical Society Offers Rootbeer Floats - July 2010
The Grand Island Historical Society will offer a rootbeer float fundraiser during the town sponsored band concert in Klingel Town Commons at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 13. The concert will feature Friends of Harmony, a barbershop group. Rain date is July 15.
Installation Dinner - June 2010
Jim Brown and Teddy Linenfelser.
Alice Gerard Photo
The Grand Island Historical Society installed officers during the annual installation dinner on Thursday, June 3 in River Lea. Jim Brown was re-elected treasurer and Corresponding Secretary Teddy Linenfelser was also re-elected. Collette's Catering provided the dinner, and table decorations were the work of Sharon Nichols and Carolyn Doebert. Program chairman Mary Burngasser arranged for entertainment by Gary Para, a strolling magician. Installing officer was Suzanne Grafinger.
Historical Society Shares Isle History With 4th Graders - May 2010
(left) Longtime member and Historical Society docent Carolyn Doebert is shown speaking to a group of Huth Road Elementary students during the Friday, May 21 fourth grade tour. (right) Victoria Cortes, holding a photo of WWII hero and medal of honor winner Charles N. DeGlopper, and Dylan DeGlopper, a direct decendant, are shown in the library at River Lea with their classmates.
On three separate days, groups of 4th grade students from Kaegebein, Huth and St. Stephen schools along with several home schooled 4th graders, approximately 184 in all, were given a bus tour of the Island, stopping to see such historic spots as Tuckers Store in Ferry Village, the remains of the Corona on East River at Kirkwood Drive, the Whitehaven Settlement smokehouse on the Holiday Inn property, the ice house on East River Road near Fix Road and several other interesting sites. After the tour, each bus load of students, Society docents and teachers visited Lewis F. Allen's farm house, River Lea in Beaver Island State Park where Historical Society docents were stationed in each room and explained many of the artifacts and interesting pictures and answered the students' questions. The students were provided with maps of the Island along with stickers to mark the places they looked at. The maps are courtesy of Linda Kutzbach (Re/Max).
Historical Society May OPEN HOUSE - May 2010
The Grand Island Historical Society will be open to the public on Sunday, May 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Society's headquarters, River Lea, is located in Beaver Island State Park. Docents will give guided tours and refreshments will be served.Historical Society May Meeting - Spring 2010
The Grand Island Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. May 6 in River Lea, Beaver Island State Park. Peter Jablonski will present “Antiques 101,” a guide to collecting antiques. Peter welcomes those attending to bring an item for an appraisal, our very own “Antiques Roadshow.” See http://www.antiquesbuffalony.com/The public is invited and refreshments will be served.
Historical Society April OPEN HOUSE - April 2010
The Grand Island Historical Society will be open to the public on Sunday, April 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Society's headquarters, River Lea, is located in Beaver Island State Park. Docents will give guided tours and refreshments will be served.Historical Society April Meeting - Spring 2010
The Grand Island Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2010 at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. Guest speaker, June Crawford, will present a power point presentation of Graycliff, home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The public is welcome and refreshments will be served.Historical Society Presents "Traditional and Historical Songs of New York State" - Lecture and Music - Mar. 2010
Dave Ruch
The Grand Island Historical Society will present a lecture by Dave Ruch on "Traditional and Historical Songs of New York State." Free and open to the general public, the event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 4 at Historic Trinity Chapel, 2100 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island. Refreshments will be served. This event is made possible through Speakers in the Humanities, a program of the New York Council for the Humanities. Speakers in the Humanities lectures are made possible with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the New York State Legislature, and through funds from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.Vintage Bridal Show Draws Crowd - Feb. 2010
Among the many models participating in the Vintage Bridal Show were (left) Roseanne DelSignore, Sue Ackendorf, Jennifer Long, Robin Shipman, Dustin Gushue and unknown.
Laury Linenfelser Photos - Click for larger view
Wedding photographs and cake tops, and Valentines and candy, were only part of the table settings and displays that adorned Historic Trinity Chapel during the Grand Island Historical Society's Vintage Bridal Show. The event on Saturday, February 13th began with a luncheon attended by nearly 100 guests, and was catered by Mike Carr's Village Inn and served by members and friends of the Society. Margaret "Maggie" Gushue was show chairman, assisted by Carolyn Doebert and Sharon Nichols.Dustin Gushue opened the show by modeling a tuxedo of worsted wool, complete with vest and frock coat. The tux was worn by Albert Morgan to his wedding in 1906. The Morgan family has resided on East River Road since the 1850s. Dustin and Society President Curt Nestark assisted the models to the pulpit and down to the runway. Assisting with the long, vintage trains and bridal veils was Julia Shipman.
Wedding gowns of every description, some dating from the 1800s, were modeled, most having been donated to the Historical Society over the years. Mrs. Gushue gave a complete description and history of all of the gowns, accessories and bouquets.
The one-hour show included not only beautiful wedding dresses, but also a 1960s going away outfit - the "Jackie Look," modeled by Sue Ackendorf, a mother-of-the-bride dress and a 1940s "day dress" modeled by Teddy Linenfelser. The mother-of-the-bride dress was originally worn in 1975 by Betty Forsythe Killian who attended the show. The day dress was worn by the late Evelyn Carlson on her wedding day.
Members of the Historical Society are most appreciative of a donation from Tops Friendly Market to help the Society with the event.
More photos may be added as they become available.
Historical Society To Present Vintage Bridal Fashion Show & Luncheon - Feb. 2010
Historical Society bridal show committee member Suzanne Grafinger
The Grand Island Historical Society will present a Vintage Bridal Fashion Show & Luncheon at noon on Saturday, February 13, 2010 in Historic Trinity Chapel, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Tickets,$20, are available by reservation only. Call Carol, 773-3817 before February 6.Historical Society Christmas Party - Dec. 2009
