2014 will be a year of celebration in Sweden as the town marks the 200th anniversary of its founding.
The town’s formation dates to April 5, 1814, during a meeting at the home of Reuben Stickney, located at the corner of Lake and Swamp Roads.
Historically an agricultural community, the town is also known as a center for education. The Baptist Collegiate Institute was founded in 1832-1833. It later became the Brockport Normal School which is now the State University of New York College at Brockport.
The Erie Canal and later the NY Central Falls Line railroad helped farms to flourish as they facilitated shipping of farm commodities like corn, hops and wheat as well as the receiving of supplies. Farm-related industries also flourished in Sweden, including the Seymour, Morgan and Allen Co., which invented and manufactured the Morgan Reaper.
Members of the town’s bicentennial committee have been working to plan special events for each month of 2014. Town Board member Danielle Windus-Cook has been heading up the committee and says the group makes a great team.
“I’m so proud of the work the committee has done,” she says. “It’s a diverse group of community members, I’m so proud of that.”
Events get started in January with an exhibit of historical photographs at the Seymour Library entitled, “Sweden’s Silvered Past.”
Windus-Cook says the special exhibit runs from January 3 through 31 with an opening reception planned for Jan. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments of mulled cider and cookies will be served.
In February, the celebration heads outside with a day of outdoor ice skating – “Skate into the Next Century” – at the Sweden Town Park on Redman Road. Windus-Cook says activities include open skating. The event is scheduled for February 1. Participants “must bring their own skates,” she says. Youth hockey games are also scheduled. A bonfire is planned for 7 p.m.
“We’ve been working on the town park the last ten years,” Windus-Cook says of the town. “It’s part of our history.” She says the town never had a park until the current one was established.
In case of postponement, the event will be held February 8.
On March 8, Cynthia Howk, architectural research coordinator with the Landmark Society of Western New York, will present, “Discover Sweden: 200 years of Historic Architecture,” at the Senior Center at 3 p.m.
April 11 through 13, a quilt show – “200 Years of Quilt Making,” will be held at the Senior Center with historic quilts on display. Also in April – at a time to be determined – 4th and 5th graders from the Hill School will present a play, re-enacting the first Sweden Town meeting.
On May 4, a tour of historical homes in the town is planned. Windus-Cook says it will be a bus tour with a guide who will provide information regarding featured homes. May 10, the Milo Starks Historic Marker will be dedicated at the site of Starks’ home on Lake Road. Starks was a hero of the Civil War and led Company A of the 140th NY regiment.
June 14, an Antique Car Show and Strawberry Social will be held at the Sweden Farmer’s Museum on Route 19. In case of postponement, the event will be held June 15.
The second half of the year features the highlight of the bicentennial celebration on Fourth of July (Old Home) Weekend. Picnics, a parade and fireworks are planned.
A movie night, the annual Sweden Harvest Festival, a historical barn tour, cemetery tour, bicentennial play and formal dinner dance are also planned before 2014 draws to a close.
Windus-Cook says details and updates will be available on the town’s website, www.townofsweden.org, “… just click on the bicentennial logo,” she says.
She adds that residents are welcome to share family histories and information they have about the history of Sweden with the bicentennial committee.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski
