Ogden and Spencerport historians will once again hold office hours at the Spencerport Depot & Canal Museum during July and August. Spencerport
Historian Ginny Parker will be at the Depot on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and August 5, 12, 19, and 26. Ogden Historian Jesse Diehl will be available on Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 17, 24, and August 7, 14, 21, and 28. Stop by to chat directly with the people who know about the history of Spencerport and Ogden. No appointment necessary.
If you would like to submit research questions ahead of your visit or if you are unable to visit in person, Ginny Parker can be reached at historian@spencerport.gov and Jesse Diehl at historianclerk@ogdenny.com.
If you enjoy local history, the Depot is hosting a monthly book discussion of the books by Arch Merrill, who wrote for the Democrat & Chronicle from 1923 until the late 1960s. Merrill published dozens of books on New York State and Rochester-area history. The book group meets on Wednesdays, July 29 and August 26, at 6 p.m. at the Depot. Books are available to borrow from the Depot or from most libraries. Choose any title and come prepared to share at least one fact or story you learned from your selection. The first meeting of this book group uncovered some fascinating history, such as the fact that Rochester’s Ellwanger & Barry Nursery propagated specialized redwood trees that were shipped to California. While the Giant Sequoia redwood species is native to California, specialized redwoods were propagated in Rochester by Ellwanger & Barry from seeds sent from California by a Rochester native who traveled to California during the gold rush in the 19th century. Join the group for a lively discussion of Merrill’s books.
For more information, contact Depot Director Patty Uttaro at director@spencerportmuseum.org.
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