Trolley project receives grant

The Spencerport Trolley Depot Restoration Project committee has received a grant in the amount of $1,000 on behalf of the Genesee Country Antique Dealers Association.

Lynn Hazelton, president of the Genesee Country Antique Dealers Association, said their group is comprised of members who promote high quality and ethical standards among antique dealers. Each year, the organization awards a grant to a project in one of the five counties the association serves. The county is chosen alphabetically. The funds for this grant comes primarily from the proceeds of their annual antique show. This year's show, "Antiques on Campus," will be held at Nazareth College during the weekend of March 20-21.

In the fall of 2003, Hazelton contacted Ruth Naperstak, the City of Rochester historian, to let her know about the grant and ask for her assistance in getting the word out to local town and village historians in Monroe County. Carol Coburn, Town of Ogden and Village of Spencerport Historian, heard about the grant from Naperstak and she immediately thought of the trolley restoration project and filled out the simple application and proposal.

Hazelton said that she received 10 applications from organizations within Monroe County. The committee met to review them using certain criteria: It had to be a worthy project. Would the money be well spent? Did the project have local community support during the initial phase? It also had to serve as an appreciation of history, and be a benefit to the public when finished.

The trolley project fulfilled their requirements. Carol Coburn received the notice of the grant award and the $1,000 check in late December. Coburn said the money will be used to purchase much needed lumber.

Coburn, along with local attorney Fred Holbrook, are working on additional grant applications for federal restoration funds. The funds are sorely needed to cover the cost of the actual relocation. "Much of the expense for the move may have to come from in-kind sources," Coburn said.

The Spencerport Trolley Depot was used between 1908 - 1931. After that time it was purchased, moved from an area near today's municipal electric station in the village and then used as a family residence. In 2003, the family that owned the building agreed to donate it to the Village with the condition that it was to be restored for public use. Many citizens of varied backgrounds have come together to volunteer their time for this project.

The restoration of the Rochester, Lockport, Buffalo Trolley Depot has been underway since the middle of 2003. Currently the team is working on winterizing the building. Within the next 12 to 18 months it will be relocated to downtown Spencerport. The large main room will be restored to its original condition and will include historical collections that can be viewed by the public. It will have a small area for the village historian as well as a larger community meeting room that can hold up to 50 people. A deck will be built off the main floor which will lead to the canal.

On the ground level, the plans are to build a shower and restroom facility for canal traffic. The possibility exists that there may be an office where kayaks and canoes can be rented for use on the canal.

For information on the project, contact Carol Coburn at 352-3444.