Grand Island Group Page Form

Grand Island Historical Society
Page 2
PO Box 135
Grand Island, NY 14072

Click for Historical Society Page 1

The Grand Island Historical Society restored and maintains the farm house located in Beaver Island State Park known as Riverlea. It was built by Lewis F. Allen's son, W. Cleveland Allen, and is owned by New York State.
DIRECTIONS TO RIVER LEA: Beaver Island State Park is located at the south end of Grand Island. Use South Parkway to enter the Park, continue through the Park to the circle at the southern-most tip of Grand Island.

The Historical Society meets on the first Thursday of the month
at 7:30 PM (except for Dec., Jan., & Feb.) at Riverlea in Beaver Island Park

Grand Island Historical Society & River Lea History

Historical Features About Grand Island, N.Y.

Grand Island History - Published 1898 By Truman C. White

SOCIETY OFFICERS 2005-2006

President - Curt Nestark
Vice President - Programs - Ruth Englert
Vice President - Membership - Carol Moore
Recording Secretary - Mary Burngasser
Corres. Sec. - Suzanne Grafinger
Treasurer -Barbara Birt
Director at Large - Carolyn Doebert

Historical Society Offers Lemonade/Cookies At Band Concert - July 2007
The Grand Island Historical Society will sponsor a "Lemonade and Cookies Social" at the July 10th band concert at the Town Commons. The 7 p.m. performance will feature "23 Skidoo," a Dixieland Band. Rain date: Thursday July 12th.

Historical Society Installation Dinner Postponed to June 21st - 2007

The Grand Island Historical Society will hold its installation dinner at River Lea at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, 2007. This is a postponement of the previously listed date. Please note earlier time. Reservations are required for the catered dinner by calling Mary Burngasser, 773-9532. Cost is $13. The 7:30 p.m. program following dinner will feature "Hummels"by Sally Hoffman, former owner of the "Sally Ann Shoppe." She will provide a program of Sister M.I. Hummel, her life and delightful figurines. Bring your own personal favorites and Sally will discuss and appraise your figurine. The program portion is open to the public at no charge.

Historical Society Open House - May 2007

   An open house is being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2007 at River Lea, home of the Grand Island Historical Society and located in Beaver Island State Park. This is a good opportunity to see the photo display, “Before Beaver Island State Park,” put together by the town's Historic Preservation Board. There is no admission charge.

Historical Society Open House - April 2007
   An open house is being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2007 at River Lea, home of the Grand Island Historical Society and located in Beaver Island State Park. The town's Historic Preservation Board will present a photo display, “Before Beaver Island State Park,” There is no admission charge.

Historical Society Program Meeting Features "Thanks For The Memories" - Crystal Beach - 2007
   The Grand Island Historical Society will hold its general meeting and Election of Officers at River Lea at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2007. "Thanks For The Memories," a Crystal Beach video, will be shown. River Lea is located in Beaver Island Park. The meetings are opened to the public and refreshments will be served.

Historical Society Program Meeting Features "Buffalo's Presidential Connections" - 2007
   The Grand Island Historical Society will hold its general meeting at River Lea at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007. Mark Lozo, Education Director with the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, will provide a program titled "Buffalo's Presidential Connections," including information on Grover Cleveland. River Lea is located in Beaver Island Park. The meetings are opened to the public and refreshments will be served.

Historical Society To Present Afternoon Tea - 2007

   The annual "Victorian Afternoon Tea" at River Lea sponsored by the Grand Island Historical Society will be held from 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2007. This event will feature scones, assorted tea sandwiches, Maisie's tea, and dainty sweets. The afternoon will include an historical program. Pre-paid reservations must be made starting March 1, 2007. Checks ($14.00) are to be made payable to G.I. Historical Society and sent to:
Carol Moore
3463 West River Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
(No one under 12 years of age, please)

Meeting Cancelled Due To Weather
Historical Society Program Meeting Features Hummels - 2007
   The Grand Island Historical Society will hold its general meeting at River Lea at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007. Sally Hoffman, former owner of the "Sally Ann Shoppe," will provide a program on Sister M.I. Hummel and her life. Bring your own personal figurine and Sally will discuss and appraise it. River Lea is located in Beaver Island Park. The meetings are opened to the public.

Members Only Holiday Party At Historical Society - 2006
   The Grand Island Historical Society will hold a Members Only Holiday Party at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2006. Members are asked to bring an hors d'oeuvre to pass. Entertainment will be provided by the members.

Historical Society Open House - November 2006
   An open house is being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 12, 2006 at River Lea, home of the Grand Island Historical Society and located in Beaver Island State Park. River Lea was the summer home of Lewis F. Allen in the late 1800s. Some craft items will be for sale. There is no admission charge.

Historical Society November 2 Meeting Announced - 2006
   A Grand Island Historical Society meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2006 at River Lea, in Beaver Island State Park. "Cinema Under the Stars," a history of the drive-in movies, will be presented by Dominick Scalzo. The program is free and open to the public.

Parlor Game Program Enjoyed At Historical Society Meeting - 2006

Jean Neff provided the program for the September 2006 meeting.
Adria Ryan Photos
   The Grand Island Historical Society met on Thursday, September 7, 2006 for a pot luck dinner and meeting in the River Lea farm house, the society's headquarters in Beaver Island State Park. Providing the program, "Victorian Parlor Games" was Jean Neff of the Amherst Museum. A good turnout of members and non-members enjoyed the pot luck and some took part in the games, to the delight of the others.

Historical Society October 5 Meeting Announced -
"Trash to Treasure Sale" - Historic Trinity, October 7th - 2006
   A Grand Island Historical Society meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2006 at River Lea, in Beaver Island State Park. The general meeting will be followed by an exhibit of items from the Society's collections, presented by Carolyn Doebert and Sharon Nichols. The meeting is open to the public.
   The Grand Island Historical Society is sponsoring a "Trash to Treasure Sale" at Historic Trinity, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, starting at 9 a.m. on October 7th. Table space is available for anyone interested in selling. For table information, call 773-2421.

Historical Society Open House - September 2006
   An open house is being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 2006 at River Lea, home of the Grand Island Historical Society and located in Beaver Island State Park. River Lea was the summer home of Lewis F. Allen in the late 1800s. There is no admission charge to the house.

Historical Society Meeting - Treasures Of The Society - September 2006
   The Grand Island Historical Society will hold a general meeting and program at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2006 at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. Society members Carolyn Doebert and Sharon Nichols will display some of the treasures from the collection of the historical society. All programs are free and open to the public.

Historical Society September Meeting - Program On "Victorian Parlor Games" - 2006
   The Grand Island Historical Society will meet on Thursday, September 7, 2006 when a pot luck dinner will be held at River Lea at 6:30 p.m. Bring your own table service, a dish to pass (salad, cassorole or dessert), and some friends. After dinner, plan to be amused and delighted and participate in "Victorian Parlor Games" presented by Jean Neff of the Amherst Museum.

Historical Society Members' Memories Recorded - 2006

(left) Betty Killian, Catherine and Harvey Long, Suzanne Grafinger and Shirley Luther
By Teddy Linenfelser - Click photo for larger view
   A small group of Grand Island Historical Society members gathered at the Society's headquarters, River Lea in Beaver Island State Park, on Saturday, August 5, 2006 for the purpose of recording the memories of four native Islanders, all in their 80s.
   Suzanne Grafinger served as the moderator and Harvey and Catherine Killian Long, Betty Forsythe Killian and Shirley Kreger Luther took turns answering a prepared list of questions about their lives on Grand Island, N.Y.
   All four residents attended the one-room schools across the Island. Farming was a large part of their lives. Betty Killian reminisced about her father becoming disabled and how she and her mother would go with him to assist with the often times strenuous farm work.
   When asked what they did on Sundays years ago, all replied that they would attend Sunday school and then the regular service at Trinity Church and once home, would have company, including relatives from Buffalo who would stay for the main meal.
   The huge harvest picnics often held at Edgewater Park were a hot topic among the foursome, with all agreeing that the yearly occasion always turned into a family reunion with everyone from the Tonawanda and Buffalo area coming over by ferry to join their Island relations.
   Catherine Killian was the only one who had indoor bathroom facilities when she was a child and that was only while her family lived in the former John Nice home in the area that is now the Holiday Inn.
   Harvey Long remembers where he was when he first heard that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. "I was in the Sidway School gym playing basketball when one of our friends came in with the news," he said. Harvey was drafted into the Army several months later. It was a time of not only unlocked doors, but a time when it was not so amazing to have the youngsters given a key to the only school on the Island so they could go in and play basketball, use the showers, and lock up after themselves.
   Shirley related how she and Catherine and two other young women started "The Islander" newspaper that they sent to all troops from Grand Island during the war, keeping them abreast of where their buddies were from time to time along with community news about the Island. The girls wrote it, printed it and addressed it for several years until the war ended.
   All agreed that their lives changed with the opening of the Grand Island bridges on each end of the Island in 1935, and again six years later with the nation entering WWII.
   The technical operation of recording the project was handled by Jeff and Mary Cooke. Those interested in being a possible candidate for another recording of Island memories are asked to call Sharon Nichols at 773-2421.

Historical Society Sponsors Ferry Village Historic Walking Tours - 2006
Ferry Village Historic Walking Tours, sponsored by the Grand Island Historical Society, will take place Tuesday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 22, 2006 with rain dates of August 16th and August 23rd. Those taking part are asked to meet at 7 p.m. at the hot dog stand at the east end of Ferry road. For reservations, call 773-2421. Price is $5.00 for members and $7.00 for non-members.

Historical Society Sponsors "Root Beer Float" Social At Band Concert - 2006
Members of the Grand Island Historical Society will offer a "Root Beer Float" social during the 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2006 town sponsored band concert at the Town Commons. Music will be by the Bison City Stompers, Dixieland, (Rain date: Thursday, July 20).

Historical Society Officers Installed - 2006

Historical Society members (left) Carol Moore, Barbara Birt, Suzanne Grafinger, Curt Nestark were installed on June 1st.
Click photo for larger view
   Grand Island Historical Society members held their annual installation dinner at River Lea on Thursday, June 1, 2006. Maggie Gushue was the installing officer. The dinner and installation of officers was followed by a slide presentation of old Grand Island photos by Town Historian Teddy Linenfelser. The program included clubs and hotels from the 1800s, steamers, churches, one-room schools, amusement parks and 1952 centennial photos.
   Officers for 2005-2006 are President Curt Nestark, Treasurer Barbara Birt, Corresponding Secretary Suzanne Grafinger, and 2nd Vice President Carol Moore.
   President Nestark announced a public open house at River Lea from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 28 for the showing of artifacts found on the archeological dig going on along East River Road, connecting River Lea to the state parkland at East River Road in Ferry Village.

Historical Society's 4th Grade Historic Tours
Kaegebein Elementary School Fourth Graders Visit Historical Sites - May 2006

Photos from left: Historical Society docents Carolyn Doebert and Lisa Long with Kaegebein School 4th graders; docent Carolyn Doebert in River Lea's living room; students looking over the bathroom at River Lea; 4th graders are dwarfed by the huge, historic gates at River Lea.
Click photos for larger view
Mary Cooke Photos
   The fourth grader students of Kaegebein School and their teachers visited River Lea on Friday, May 26, 2006 and toured historic sites around the Island, courtesy of the Historical Society. The Society donated the necessary funds for transportation. The bus tour includes River Lea, Ferry Village, the ice house on East River Road, the site of what was the Whitehaven Sawmill Settlement on the Holiday Inn property, the SS Corona off of Kirkwood Drive and a tour of the Town Hall.

Historical Society's 4th Grade Historic Tours
St. Stephen School Fourth Graders Visit Historical Sites - May 2006

Photos from left: Historical Society docent Carolyn Doebert in River Lea's living room; teacher Jennifer Hoplight is shown in the back with Historical Society docent Jane Duffy in River Lea's kitchen; docent Dottie Roehrig shown in the dining room; docent Sally Hoffman showing the students the bedroom; teacher Christine Sanborn (far right) is shown with Sally Black in the Grand Island room;
(bottom right photo) Included in Maggie Gushue's presentation was both washing clothes and ironing them with a display of all the related equipment including the stove for heating the water and heating the irons.
Click photos for larger view
Mary Cooke Photos
   Thanks to the Grand Island Historical Society, the fourth graders of all Grand Island schools continued a tradition of visiting the historical sites on Grand Island. The Historical Society donated the funds needed for transportation. The tour includes River Lea, Ferry Village, the ice house on East River Road, the site of what was the Whitehaven Sawmill Settlement on the Holiday Inn property, the SS Corona off of Kirkwood Drive and a tour of the Town Hall. St. Stephen School's 4th grade students took the tour on Friday morning, May 12th.

Historical Society's 4th Grade Historic Tours
Huth Road Fourth Graders Visit Historical Sites - May 2006

Students of Mrs. Barbara Fontana and Mrs. Celeste Angelo are shown watching a skit by Mrs. Maggie Gushue.
Click photos for larger view
Jodi Robinson Photos
   Thanks to the Grand Island Historical Society, the fourth graders of all Grand Island schools continued a tradition of visiting the historical sites on Grand Island. The Historical Society donated the funds needed for transportation. The tour includes River Lea, Ferry Village, the ice house on East River Road, the site of what was the Whitehaven Sawmill Settlement on the Holiday Inn property, the SS Corona off of Kirkwood Drive and a tour of the Town Hall. Wednesday morning, May 24th was Huth Road School's visit.

Historical Society Provides Bus Transportation For 4th Grade Tours - 2006

Historical Society decents shown from left are Dottie Rohrig, Jennifer Long, Sharon Nichols, Barbara Birt, Carolyn Doebert, Jane Duffy, Sally Hoffman, Anita DeGlopper and Maggie Gushue.
Click photos for larger view
The Grand Island Historical Society's "Fourth Grade Tours" around Grand Island by bus and a visit to River Lea, the society's headquarters, are taking place as usual this month. This is due to Historical Society members voting to pay a total of $600 for the transportation of the 4th grade classes at St. Stephen School, Kaegebein School and Huth Road Elementary School. School District budget constraints made it impossible for the district to provide the necessary transportation as was the policy in the past.
It is hoped that the community has appreciated the fact that the 4th grade tours were not interrupted this year and that perhaps local organizations will come forward with small (or large) cash donations for the Historical Society. Several have already made the commitment.

Historical Society Installation - Program Of Old Island Photos - 2006
Members of the Grand Island Historical Society will hold their installation dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2006 at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. For reservations call Dottie at 773-5025. The program is Teddy Linenfelser's video of favorite Island photos and narration.

Historical Society May Open House - 2006
The Grand Island Historical Society will host an open house from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2006 at its headquarters, River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. Docents will be available for historical information about the house and its contents. There is no charge.

Historical Society To Present Afternoon Tea - April 2006

A limited number of tickets are still available for the Afternoon Tea being presented by the Grand Island Historical Society at 2 p.m. April 30th. The program will be Hats, Hats, Hats by Patti Hain of The Theodore Roosevelt Historic Site. The event will take place at River Lea in Beaver Island Park. For reservations call Dottie at 773-5025.

Historical Society May Meeting - "Mary Todd Lincoln" - 2006
The Grand Island Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2006 at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. Election of officers will take place and a program by Darcie Homme titled "An Evening with Mary Todd Lincoln and Her Son" will follow. The meeting in open to the public. Come and enjoy the evening.

Historical Society April Meeting - "Mark Twain's America" - 2006
The Grand Island Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2006 at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. A program titled "Mark Twain's America" will be presented. The meeting in open to the public. Come and enjoy the evening.

Historical Society March Meeting - Grover Cleveland Program - 2006
The Grand Island Historical Society will present a slide program on Grover Cleveland and his road to the Presidency. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2006 at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. As always the meeting is open to the public.

If you are a member of this organization, we need your help. GIECOM.Net has partnered with the Connections program to help Grand Island as a community "Get it Together." Please visit our website G-I-Together.ORG and fill out our SURVEY. Every group on Grand Island will have its own FREE web page showing: meeting times and location, contact persons, your Mission Statement and a listing of events. We will also be linking your news events that appear in the local media and on IsledeGrande.Com, Grand Island's E-News Source, to your page, maintaining an archived journal of pictures and news. This is the perfect opportunity for your group to connect with potential new members and the community.