Albion approves bid to replace slate roof on cemetery chapel
Donors have given $200K towards restoration of prominent Mount Albion building
File photos by Tom Rivers: The chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery, shown in September 2024, is getting new mortar and a new roof, with other upgrades as part of a $225,000 restoration. Donors have given $200,000 towards the project so far.
ALBION – The chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery will be getting a new slate roof. The building is a focal point of the historic cemetery for people who enter through the main arch.
The new roof is among several improvements for the structure that was built in 1875.
A committee led by Village Historian Sue Starkweather Miller set a $225,000 fundraising goal and raised $200,000 in about three months.
The Albion Village Board on Wednesday accepted a bid for $83,985 to remove the existing roof and replace all the Vermont slate. That was the lowest of three submitted bids. The others were for $111,875 and $114,220.
The mortar on the structure is currently being repointed and that was funded with a $5,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
“I have been overwhelmed by the community support for the project,” Starkweather Miller said. “We are very excited about this.”
Other work includes:
- Asbestos abatement on the roof
- Interior replastering of the north wall
- Electrical upgrades (wiring, outlets, internal and external lighting
- Heating unit for seasonal use
- Repair of plaster and vaulted ceiling
- Remove old floor, repair subfloor and put in a new floor
- Refurbish exterior doors and window trim
The committee that has been working on the project, identifying the needs and fundraising, includes Starkweather Miller, Tim Archer, David Snell, Toni Stark and Tony Wynn.
About 90 donors have contributed to the project so far. Tax deductible donations for the project can be sent to the Orleans County Historical Association, 3286 Gaines Basin Rd., Albion NY 14411. For more information, click here.
‘Murder and Mayhem’ fundraiser tour set for Oct. 4
Matt Ballard is shown leading 200 people on a tour of “Murder and Mayhem” on Sept. 13, 2019 in Albion. Ballard was the county historian at the time. He shared stories of high-profile crimes from the community’s past, and some other curious happenings. He will be doing the tour again on Oct. 4.
A fundraiser is planned for Oct. 4 for the chapel. Matt Ballard, the former Orleans County historian, will lead a “Murder and Mayhem Tour.” Ballard did this tour in 2019 and it attracted 200 people.
There is a $20 donation to be on the tour which starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Pullman Universalist Church. Parking in the lot across the street.
In the photo of Ballard above, he is shown speaking on the Courthouse lawn. He told about Albion leaders ploy in deceiving state officials to naming Albion the county seat, over Gaines, which was more developed in the 1820s due to the well-travelled Ridge Road.
Philetus Bumpus and Nehemiah Ingersoll led the push for Albion to become the county seat. They concocted a plan to have Sandy Creek dammed just before the state commissioners were in town. The water was then released to make it appear Sandy Creek was a much stronger stream.
What appeared to be a powerful stream was influential in swaying the commissioners to pick Albion over Gaines. Ingersoll would later donate land for the courthouse to be built.
Ballard has several other stories to share on the tour.
