by portbyro | Nov 3, 2024 | Uncategorized
Last month I wrote about the way that the Port Byron Chronicle covered bad news, so why not some happy news this month? And so, I decided to see how local folks entertained themselves while they did a bit of traveling. You can see how the world opens up for everyone...
by portbyro | Oct 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
October is family history month and, sometimes when researching the family, you will stumble across some bad news and maybe find out that your ancestors did some things that might surprise, disappoint, or shock you. And with that in mind, did you ever hear the old...
by portbyro | Sep 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
We received an email inquiry from former resident Dale MeComber, who had a question about the Mintline school. This was one of the many one-room school houses that dotted the land prior to school centralization in 1938. Dale’s Aunt Hilda Mecomber once taught school in...
by portbyro | Sep 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
By Cheryl Longyear, Town of Montezuma Historian The Erie Canal was the longest human-made waterway and the greatest public works project in North America at the time it was built in the early 1820s. Now as we approach the 200th year commemoration in 2025, its being...
by portbyro | Mar 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Heritage Center recently received the donation of a large glass bottle labeled “Port Byron Bottling Works,” which again brought the history of the small concern to the top of rabbit hole topics. It brings to light another small business that seemed to operate in...
by portbyro | Feb 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Citizen gave this the headline of “Why Lock 52 Historical Society became Old Mentz Heritage Center.” For many, it hides behind a paywall, so here it is. I hope it helps to clear up some of the confusion with all the local society and park names. If you...
by portbyro | Jan 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
By Cheryl Longyear, Town of Montezuma Historian In celebration of Black History Month, Port Byron and Montezuma historical societies are featuring a window display at the Port Byron Library of a well-known folk artist, Inez Nathaniel Walker who once lived in Port...
by portbyro | Jan 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Happy New Year! Way back in May, I wrote about the upcoming merger of the Lock 52 Historical Society and the Montezuma Historical Society. Well, I am pleased to say that the formal merging will be taking place soon when the New York State Education Department gives us...
by Old Mentz | Jul 9, 2023 | Uncategorized
For those family genealogists out there, the term “brick wall” has a certain meaning. It is when all the clues run out and those exciting new discoveries come slowly or not at all. Well those “brick walls” can also pop up in the study of general history when we can’t...
by Old Mentz | Apr 15, 2023 | Uncategorized
In October 1873, Colonel William Jones assembled his forces. The men built two forts that they named Fort Armstrong and Fort Graham to honor their leaders. These log and earthen fortifications looked out over the landscape from where the expected attack would advance....
