Historic Lewiston, New York

You might feel a hint of Fall in the air, but that doesn't mean Lewiston slows down. Far from it!
The next month promises to top off the summer with some of Lewiston's most beloved festivals and events! We've rolled out the red carpet and look forward to your next visit. You'll thoroughly enjoy the upcoming programs!

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WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL PLANS
Presented by Thomas Schofield
Barton Hill Hotel, 100 Center Street
Monday, September 22, 6:30pm
Free! Open to Public

     Have you seen the scaffolding around Brock's Monument? Plans are already underway for the huge Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 on both sides of the border. The commemoration will be begin in 2012 and continue for two years. This huge undertaking will be organized by the War of 1812 Legacy Council Corporation.
     Youngstown resident and attorney, Thomas Schofield is vice president of the Council and will be joining us on September 22 at the Barton Hill to give us a first hand look at what we can expect to see and do during this once in a lifetime event.
     The Lower Niagara River played a critical role in the War of 1812 as the Americans tried to drive the British out of North America. Lewiston was the site of a failed American invasion of Canada in 1812. Subsequently, Lewiston was burned to the ground when British troops and their Indian allies counter attacked the next year. Since then, the two countries have lived in peace.
     You won't want to miss this sneak preview of one of the most historical and fascinating topics involving this area. It's free and open to the public, so bring your friends and neighbors.

                    Just before Mr. Schofield speaks...

     Just before Mr. Schofield is introduced, we will have an important guest join us. Marie E. Hare, Vice President Philanthropy & Civic Affairs at KeyBank, will be on hand for a special announcement and presentation. You don't want to miss what she has to say!

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LOCAL EVENTS COMING UP SOON
Mark Your Calendar Now!

September 20        Lewiston Country Faire, Village of Lewiston
                             145 N. Fourth Street, Lewiston, 716-754-8271

September 27       Youngstown Community Quilt Show
                            Youngstown Area Churches
                            10am-3pm. Free Admission.

September 27-28   Lewiston Harvest Fest, 716-754-9500

September 27-28   Wildlife Festival, Niagara Power Project, Lewiston
                             http://www.nypa.gov/vc/nvccalendar.asp

October 25          Annual NCCC Scholarship Gala, 716-614-5910
                           http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/foundation/gala.html

October 27          Terry Collesano, Local Historian
                           6:30pm, Barton Hill Hotel, Lewiston, Free

December 6-7     Historic Home Tour & Christmas Walk, 716-754-4214

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AMAZING DISCOVERY! HMS ONTARIO FOUND!
Old Fort Niagara, Officer's Club
Saturday, September 20, 6:30pm
Seating limited, reservations required.

     There will be a special dinner and presentation celebrating the discovery of the HSM Ontario, which sank during a storm on October 31, 1780. The British warship was sailing from Ft. Niagara bound for Oswego. Explorers have been searching for her ever since.
     In 2008, shipwreck enthusiasts Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville finally located HMS Ontario using sophisticated side-scanning sonar with an underwater remote operated vehicle.
     On Saturday, September 20, 2008, Mr. Kennard and Mr. Scoville will present the first public program about their historic discovery at a special dinner in the Fort Niagara Officers' Club. Tickets are $55 per person, and the proceeds will go to help defray the costs of the expedition. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, please call Old Fort Niagara at 716-745-7611 and use your major credit card.

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GRANTS AWARDED TO YOUR ASSOCIATION

     Wow! Your Historical Association has just made some of its own history! During the past month, we've received the largest amount of grant money ever! Our benefactors are numerous and our gratitude is boundless! Add these generous grants on top of the services all our volunteers provide, and you've got an organization that's running on all cylinders! Here's a summary of the exciting announcements:

     EAST HILL FOUNDATION: East Hill Foundation has just handed us a check for $30,000 for the completion of the new exhibit hall at the Lewiston Museum. We've been "time-line challenged" when it comes to finishing this huge project, but once you see the results, you'll agree it was worth the wait. Thank you East Hill Foundation for your support and confidence! We promise to do our best in preserving and promoting Lewiston -- home of the first European settlement in Western New York.

     TOWN OF LEWISTON, GREENWAY: The first installment for the construction of the Freedom Crossing Monument has been received. Fred Newlin and the Town Council released $85,000 of Greenway funds for this much anticipated project that will celebrate Lewiston's role in the Underground Railroad. The money comes from the New York Power Authority which agreed to finance Niagara Greenway projects for the next 50 years.

     MARGARET L. WENDT FOUNDATION: Another $30,000 of private money has been received from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation for the Freedom Crossing Monument project. Anticipated unveiling will be September 2009.

     LEGISLATOR JOHN CERETTO, CASINO FUNDS: Niagara County Legislator, John Ceretto, has been successful in securing $2500 for our new lighting and security system for the Museum renovation. The money comes from the Seneca Casino in Niagara Falls. Thank you Legislator Ceretto for remembering the Museum in your funding priorities.

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MARBLE ORCHARD GHOST WALKS
Saturdays, September 20 to October 25, 7pm (rain or shine)
476 Center St., Lewiston   (Little Yellow Chocolate House)
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 for children under 12.
Reservations necessary! Call 716-754-0166

     Take a walk on the dark side to explore the grim and ghastly deeds of Lewiston's best... and worst. Hear classic local ghost stories, myths, true tales of tragedy, crime, murder and mystery. Secret and sinister, most of these events occurred a very long time ago. Yes, ghosts still haunt Lewiston! Lewiston's Marble Orchard Ghost Walks show off the unique personality of Lewiston's rough-and-tumble frontier past as well as it's glorious present. Rain or shine!
    Get more information here: http://www.artcouncil.org/marblewalks.htm

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MASON WINFIELD'S HAUNTED HISTORY GHOST WALKS
Fridays, September 19 to October 31, 7pm, rain or shine
476 Center St., Lewiston   (Little Yellow Chocolate House)
Admission: $10 Adults, Free for children under 7
No reservations are required.

     Mason Winfield is the author of Shadows of the Western Door and five other acclaimed books on the supernatural-paranormal, including "Haunted Rochester," 2008. Both a researcher and a supernatural historian, Mr. Winfield has extensive files on supernatural sites, reports and traditions in Lewiston and all of Western New York. His tours of Lewiston are informative, walking storytelling sessions whose focus is the village's famous haunted sites.
     Winfield's ghostly walks include discussions of Lewiston's unique folklore, architecture, and heritage. He's got an eye for detail and a perspective on the paranormal that makes this tour a lively journey into Lewiston's mysteries, past and present. All Lewiston tours are led by the author himself!
     Get more information here: http://www.artcouncil.org/ghost_walk.htm or call 716-655-6663

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NEW PLACEMAT HITS TABLES

     A new historic placemat is now being distributed by Apple Granny and Tommy George's Coffee Shop. This one is being sponsored by Lewiston Family Dental (Thank you, Dr. Marshall!) and features artwork by Youngstown resident, Fay Bailey. The placemat illustrates and describes the historic buildings along Center Street. About 10,000 placemats are distributed every month.
     Sponsoring a placemat is a great way to get your organization's name in front of a captive and "hungry" audience. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call 754-8414.
     You can take a look at the new placemat by clicking here:
http://www.historiclewiston.org/downloads/LewistonNY-HistoryMap.pdf

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DRIVE THRU CHICKEN/RIBS DINNER
Sunday, September 21, 11:30am-3:30pm
Red Brick School, N. 4th. Street
Presale: BBQ Chicken $7, Ribs $9

     Forget cooking on Sunday, September 21. The Friends of the Library are presenting their annual Chicken BBQ dinner that will be prepared this year by the Brickyard Restaurant. You can also pick up a delicious BBQ rib dinner. Get your tickets now and have the library's friendly volunteers hand you your order as you drive up to the circular Red Brick driveway. Presale tickets are discounted and can be obtained by calling 754-8375 or the Library at 754-4720.

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IN SEARCH OF A PEW

Back in the early 70s, the Historical Association took over the Baptist Church on Plain and Niagara Streets, and turned it into the Lewiston Museum. In the process, we sold all the pews.
We would love to get one back for the sake of history, but don't know where any of them might be. So... if anyone knows where one of the pews is located, please call the Museum at 716-754-4214. Thank you for your detective work!

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SIGN ME UP!

     Over 100 Lewiston supporters have officially signed on to become 2008-2009 members of the Historical Association, including 9 new Lifetime members! What better way to become a part of Lewiston's resurgence as Western New York's cultural centerpiece?
     With your membership, you get your Lewiston Passport. These premiums and discounts are worth more than what you pay for your membership. It's like getting a Lewiston Entertainment book!

     Membership Options:
          Individual membership: $25 ($20 for seniors)
          Family membership: $40    (includes additional discounted
                                              ticket to the Tour of Homes)
          Patron membership: $50   same as Family membership
          Business membership: $100 (includes two more discounted tickets
                                                 to the Tour of Homes, for a total four.)
          Lifetime Member, $150 ($250 for family)

     HOW TO RENEW OR BECOME A MEMBER: Yes, we need and appreciate your support and it's the perfect time to become a member. Just choose the level of membership you want, and send a check payable to:
     Historical Association of Lewiston
     PO Box 43
     Lewiston, New York 14092
     Be sure to include your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. You'll receive your Lewiston Passport in the mail.
     You can also call up 716-754-4214 and charge your membership over the phone, or pay with PayPay from our website: http://www.historiclewiston.org/gift.html
     Either way, you'll know you're doing your part in preserving and promoting Lewiston's rich heritage. Thank you!

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LEWISTON HISTORY BOOK IS HERE!

It's here! And in stock ready to be delivered to you!

Compiled by Suzanne Simon Dietz, the name of the book is "Lewiston", published by Arcadia Publishing Company and part of the Arcadia's Image of America series.

There are 211 photographs in the Lewiston book which are courtesy of the Lewiston Museum, the Sanborn Historical Society, local libraries, the New York Power Authority, the Tuscarora Nation, residents, and other sources.

The seven chapters give a wonderful overview of the wealth of history in Lewiston including the Tuscaroras, the waterfront, the hamlets and Model City, the village, the churches, the town, and the schools. There are some unusual images including one of the conductors of the underground railroad, a page from an 1865 sermon listing the surnames of early residents of the Ridge Road, and the 1924 Tuscarora athletes at Fort Niagara getting ready to run a 450 mile non-stop courier relay to extend an invitation to President Franklin Roosevelt. The introduction includes part of a 1902 speech given by J. Boardman Scovell at the Barton House! The book will be a keepsake!

To get your copy, just send $19.99 per copy to;

Historical Association of Lewiston

PO Box 43

Lewiston, New York 14092

If you want the book(s) sent to you, please include an additional $5 postage for each book. Otherwise you can pick up your copy at the Museum when they are hot off the press! When you send your check, be sure to include your name, address and phone number so we can contact you.

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Information on all River Region events can be accessed on the web at http://www.northofthefalls.com or phone the Lower River Region Chamber of Commerce at 716-754-9500.

Stay tuned for the latest programs and events sponsored

by the Historical Association of Lewiston, New York

Next Historic Home Tour

December 6 & 7, 2008