Cobblestone Museum presents 5 preservation awards for local sites
Photos courtesy of Cobblestone Museum: The cobblestone home of Margaret Ciechanowicz on Route 104 in Ridgeway was recognized with a Historic Preservation Award by the Cobblestone Museum on Oct. 30.
LYNDONVILLE – Five historic structures in Orleans County were recognized Oct. 30 by the Cobblestone Society and Museum with a Historic Preservation Award.
The annual award ceremony, which took place at White Birch Golf Course, was emceed by Cobblestone director Doug Farley.
Recognized for their historic significance were the cobblestone home of Margaret Ciechanowicz at 12387 Ridge Rd., Medina; the office of Albion Agencies at 30 North Main St., Albion; the Maple Crest, 503 Prospect, Medina; the First Presbyterian Church, 29 East State St., Albion; and the chapel at Hillside Cemetery, corner of Route 237 and South Holley Road, Holley.
The cobblestone home of Margaret Ciechanowicz was built in the late 1830s as a Greek Revival, cottage style house. Around the late 1860s, the appearance of the house was altered by raising the roof and creating a two-story, center-entrance building. The home had multiple owners, including John Amos, whose descendants lived in the home for 100 years. The next owner was Sheri Egeli, followed by Ciechanowicz.
Farley said Ciechanowicz’s remarks were especially poignant as she had just entered hospice care and came in a wheelchair, accompanied by two hospice workers and several family members.
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Albion Agencies, Bill & Jackie Bixler, in Albion
Albion Agencies is owned by William Bixler, and is the oldest and largest insurance agency in Orleans County. In continuous operation since 1844, it was originally operated as a fire insurance agency.
Operated by the Haines family from 1919 to 2018, the building is commonly referred to as the Haines Building. Christopher Haines served as president for many years, continuing the family’s stewardship. Constructed of brick, it was built in the early 19th century as a residence.
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First Presbyterian Church in Albion
The Albion First Presbyterian Church was completed and dedicated in 1874, as a result of a bequest of $50,000 (nearly $1 million today) by Elizur Hart, who died in 1870. Built at a cost of nearly $80,000, its 175-foot spire is the tallest structure in Orleans County.
The church has a two-manual Hook and Hastings organ, which cost $3,500 and was celebrated as one of the finest in Western New York. In 1937, the church boasted 450 members.
A fine example of Gothic Revival architecture, the church is constructed of Medina sandstone. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the earliest settlers of Orleans County and represents the foundation on which our area was built. It reflects an age of great wealth, prosperity and generosity.
The church has remained a major architectural and spiritual landmark in Albion. It continues active ministry, community engagement and preservation of its historic building. In 2024, the congregation celebrated its bicentennial, marking the 200th anniversary since the church’s founding. Current pastor is the Rev. Sue Thaine, an Albion native who has served since 2018.
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Hillside Cemetery Chapel in Clarendon
Hillside Cemetery Chapel is an 1894 Gothic Revival chapel, designed by Addison Forbes, originally from Kendall. He also designed the Baptist Church in Morton, the Episcopal Church in Holley and the Methodist Church in Adams Basin.
The chapel is constructed of locally quarried rough faced Medina sandstone in the Gothic Revival style. A prominent feature is the flying buttress which supports an obelisk and serves as a decorative element, as well as a ventilator for the underground vault. The chairs, lectern and cast-iron stove are original to the building. The chapel was recently restored through the cooperative efforts of the town of Clarendon and the Clarendon Historical Society.
The chapel is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the cemetery. It is also in the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.
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Maple Crest in Medina
Maple Crest at 503 Prospect St., is owned by Rollin Hellner. It was the family home of Judge Henry Childs, and later became known as The Maple Crest Inn. The Maple Crest was built in 1860 for a Main Street merchant, who was a cousin of Susan B. Anthony.
Current owner, Rollin Hellner, remarked “When I saw the Maple Crest, I knew I wanted to live there,” he said. “I bought it in July 2022.” Hellner has made some repairs and restored the windows, original plasterwork and the parquet flooring. He has painted the outside in the home’s original color.
The Cobblestone Society and Museum takes its preservation mission very seriously. Caring for 11 historic buildings and equally as many out-buildings is a daunting task for an organization of our size, Farley said.
“Luckily, we have many dedicated volunteers and supporters who share our vision for a future that includes our cherished past,” Farley said. “We are pleased and proud that our preservation efforts have been recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service as the Cobblestone National Historic Landmark District.”
This honor is offered to a select group of roughly 3% of all structures which have been entered on the National Register of Historic Places.
