Cobblestone Museum will recognize 6 sites in Orleans with preservation awards

Photos by Tom Rivers: The former home of Cornell Cooperative Extension at 20 Main St., Albion, was a rundown mansion when Neal and Kim Martillotta-Muscarella purchased it three years ago. It is now the home of her art gallery, featuring the work of many artists in the region.

ALBION – The Cobblestone Society and Museum has stepped up to recognize historic preservation efforts in Orleans County. The organization will honor its first group of preservation award winners on Oct. 20 at Maison Albion.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with music by the Orleans County String Band, a complimentary dinner catered by Zambistro, a cash bar and address by keynote speaker Andrew Meier, Esq. Emcee will be Albion native Brenda Tremblay. A tax-deductible donation for the ongoing preservation work of the Cobblestone Society and Museum will be accepted following the program.

Six historic properties will be recognized for their owners’ dedicated efforts to restore and maintain these outstanding structures in our community.

Properties are the Harriet Greaser Presbyterian Manse at 31 East State St., Albion; the Diana Dragan Reed Home at 349 South Main St., Albion; The Walsh Hotel on West Avenue, Medina; Pine Hill School at 4757 Pine Hill Rd., Barre; Bent’s Opera House on West Center and Main Street in Medina; and Marti’s on Main Street, 20 Main St., Albion.

Tim and Catherine Cooper of Medina restored the Wash Hotel, which goes back to 1852, when the Rochester, Lockport and Niagara Falls Company completed the railroad through Medina. The building was recently purchased by Rollin Hellner.

Cobblestone Society and Museum director Doug Farley encourages Orleans County residents to show their support and appreciation of these historic restorations by attending this event.

Meier is a lifelong resident of Medina, graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and a partner in WSM Elder Law, with offices in Medina and Lockport. He owns the c.1876 Hart House Hotel, formerly R.H. Newell Shirt Factory, which he rehabilitated in 2005. His next project is a c.1880 Eastlake “stick style” home, which will be rehabilitated over the next 24 months.

Emcee Brenda Tremblay hosts a classical music program on 91.5FM each weekday morning, streaming at classical915.org. She has earned three Gracies from the Association of Women in Radio and Television, many AP awards and a national Gabriel Award. She also produces and hosts the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s radio concerts at 8 p.m. Monday nights and collaborates with WXXI news to cover the arts across all media services.

Her passion is singing and she has performed with choirs at Carnegie Hall, Westminster Abbey and in the Forbidden City in Beijing. She currently serves as music director at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brockport.

Reservations for the evening must be made by Oct. 10 by e-mailing director@cobblestonemuseum.org or calling (585) 589-9013. Indicate a choice of filet of sirloin/chicken French or vegetarian risotto.

Provided photos: Pine Hill School, owned by Steve and Paula Nesbitt, was built c.1835 of fieldstones.

Diana Dragan Reed’s home at 349 South Main St., Albion, was built in 1876 and took seven years to build.

Bent’s Opera House is located on the third floor of this historic Medina sandstone building at the corner of West Center and Main streets in Medina. Medina native and entrepreneur Roger Hungerford purchased the building to save it from crumbling into the street. It is now home to boutique hotel rooms, an upscale restaurant and events center.

The Queen Anne Presbyterian Manse at 31 East State St., Albion, has been privately owned for more than 30 years and is now occupied by Harriette Greaser and her daughter. Harriette and her late husband Phil brought the property back to grandeur.