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OC Historical Association plans cemetery tours, programs this summer

Photo by Tom Rivers: The schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, which includes an outhouse and a log cabin built by Boy Scouts, will host a discussion on July 27 about Victorian hair art. The Orleans County Historical Association in recent years saved the schoolhouse in an ambitious preservation effort.

Posted 23 July 2022 at 9:21 pm

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 26

This example of Victorian hair art is on display at the Medina Historical Society Museum, 406 West Ave. in Medina. This and many other treasures may be seen at the Museum’s Open House on the first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ALBION – The Orleans County Historical Association has planned an ambitious summer schedule featuring programs and cemetery tours.

Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian, will speak on the topic of Victorian hair art on Wednesday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at the schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, north of the canal in Albion.

Victorian hair art generally elicits reactions of distaste today, though it was popular at one time when attitudes towards death and mourning differed greatly. Mr. Lattin will elaborate on these cultural changes.

Several cemetery tours have also been scheduled. These will begin at 6 p.m.

  • Aug. 7 – Hillside Chapel and Hillside Cemetery Tour, Holley. Presenter: Melissa Ierlan (Meet at Chapel)
  • Aug. 14 – Mt. Albion Cemetery, Albion. Presenter: Bill Lattin (Enter Main Gate, Meet at Chapel)
  • Aug. 19 – Lynhaven Cemetery Tour, Lyndonville. Presenter: Catherine Cooper
  • Aug. 21 – Mt. Albion Cemetery (with a focus on the residents of Gaines buried there). Presenter: Adrienne Kirby (Enter East Gate)

On a lighter note, Bill Lattin will close out the month on Aug. 31 with an audio presentation at 7 p.m. at the Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, Albion: “Edison Phonographs: the comedy of Cal Stewart, 1856 – 1919.” Stewart’s comic monologues centered around “Uncle Josh” and life in “Pumpkin Center.”

These programs are presented free of charge by members of the Orleans County Historical Association. However, free-will donations to fund the maintenance of the schoolhouse would be appreciated.