Preserving the past in Chili

On February 22, 1964, more than 140 years after its founding, residents of the Town of Chili felt the time had come to begin preserving the town's history and the Chili Historical Society was formed. There were 20 members in attendance at that first meeting - some of whom are still alive today.

Society President Dot McCarthy said that two of the more well known members from 1964 were Aileen and Clayton Potter, who ran an apple farm called Potters Place. "Aileen passed on a few years ago but Clayton is in his 90s," McCarthy said. "One of our current members, Bonnie Vath, is a granddaughter to one of the original founding members."

Until 1999, the organization didn't have an official home or headquarters, but that changed when they acquired the Streeters Inn from the County of Monroe. They moved into the Inn on June 1, 1999. Streeters Inn is located at 4145 Union Street in North Chili and is the perfect home for this group and its collection of items from the past.

The house, built sometime in 1811, is a brick Federal style center entrance colonial with a wing on the south side of the building. There are five rooms including a kitchen, parlor, dining room, two bedrooms and a second floor bath. The floors are the original wide plank pine and the original windows are 12 over 12.

In the 20th century the Inn was a working dairy farm with seven outbuildings which have all been torn down. The Pfenninger family was the last to actively farm the land and the family still resides in Chili today.

Today the society's mission is much the same as it was when it was started; to educate and preserve the history of Chili through programs and events. While membership is currently over 100, McCarthy would like to see even more residents become interested. "Our membership is mostly made up of older people. We'd love to get some younger people involved," McCarthy commented, adding that membership is $15 per family or $10 per individual annually.

The society has monthly events all year long for members. On June 13, they held their annual Strawberry Festival which is one of the few events that is open to the public. It was held at the Inn and the speaker was Russ O'Green, local expert on lilies. Complimentary strawberry shortcake was served to all who attended.

Their new Memorial Garden was introduced at the Strawberry Festival. Anyone in the community can donate a plant, shrub or small tree to be planted in the garden in memory of a loved one. The first plant in was a lilac bush in memory of the Chili Historical Society's long time President Ed Cornwell. Cornwell, a well-known antique expert, died in November 2002.

The July members only event will be a luncheon at the SpringBrook Inn in Caledonia and will feature a presentation on Civil War soldiers from the area. In August, there will be a picnic at Black Creek Park, and in September the annual Harvest Sale will take place. Held at the Inn, members will host a flea market that is open to the public with all proceeds going to benefit the Society. For information on the various activities the group has each month, contact Pricilla Beeman, program director, at 594-4015.

To tour Streeter's Inn and learn more about the history of Chili contact Dot McCarthy at 889-1880. For membership information contact Bev Neder at 594-8640.