Springwater Trails hikers and others may be interested in a number of program presentations (lectures) in the Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series 2017.  In March, of particular salience in present day current events, as pertain to the Erie Railroad high bridge (Portage viaduct) spanning the Genesee River and constructon of a replacement bridge for this 140+ year old current trestle bridge, are the March 18th & 25th programs, among other programs of potential interest.

The annually recurrent Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series is offered January through March, on varying theme and topics. Each year holds about one dozen new program presentations.

The Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series 2017, is titled: “Life in America: Winter Discovery Series 2017”.  Facilities provided by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area, located at the northern end (east side of the Genesee River) of Letchworth State Park.  All lectures are free of charge and will be held in the Visitor Center on Saturdays at 1pm.  The Visitor Center, aka the William B. Hoyt II Visitor Center, which opened in 1999, is an enclosed heated venue with indoor restrooms and is located adjacent the east side of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Mount Morris Flood Control Dam (which was constructed 1948-1952).  Often light refreshments are served at programs of the Winter Discovery Series.   [Please note, do not confuse this A.C.E. Visitor Center with the Letchworth State Park – Humphrey Nature Center which is located in Letchworth State Park on the west side of the Genesee River and further south of the A.C.E. Mt Morris flood control dam.]

Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area Visitor Center is located at 6103 Visitor Center Road in Mount Morris, NY 14510. For more information call (585) 658-4790.

There are numerous exhibits and educational experiences in the Visitor Center, a brief opportunity may exist to view and experience some immediately prior to or after the Winter Discovery Series program.  Albeit, the Visitor Center is generally not otherwise open in the winter season.

March 11th   NON-TRADITIONAL 19th CENTURY NUNDA WOMEN
As the women’s rights movement gathered strength in the late 1800’s, Nunda women were leaders in business, politics, medicine, art, education, and more. Hear their stories. Presenter – JOAN SCHUMAKER, Local Historian

– – – 2017 Saturday Dates (all program MMWDS dates listed) – – – 

January14th  THE IMPACT OF WWI ON LIVINGSTON COUNTY: Life on the Homefront
In commemoration of the World War One Centennial, this program will provide an overview of the prelude to U.S. involvement and local civilian efforts and sacrifice during the Great War. Presenter – AMIE ALDEN, Livingston County Historian

January 21st   SUFFRAGISTS IN EVERY TOWN AND COUNTY: How NY Women Won the Vote
November 2017 marks 100 years since New York State signed woman’s suffrage into law, three years before the U.S. passed the 19th Amendment. This was a milestone for the state and a transformative moment in American democracy. Equal opportunity is as important today as it was when Susan B. Anthony was arrested in Rochester for attempting to vote. Presenter – CHRISTINE RIDARSKY, Rochester Historian

January 28th   EARLY WOMEN PHYSICIANS OF THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Did you know that two of the female students and one professor at the first truly co-educational medical school in the country came from the Genesee Valley? Uncover a fascinating story which shows how our region contributed to women’s ability to study medicine alongside men -a radical theory at the time. Presenter – JANE OAKES, Local Historian

February 4th   OUR NATIONAL PARKS
Our National Parks have been called “the greatest idea America ever had.” This program covers the background of our National Park Service from its official creation in 1916, but really starts with the formation of the world’s first National Park -Yellowstone. Presenter – CRAIG BRAACK, Allegany County Historian

February 11th   THE BURNED OVER DISTRICT
In the 19th century, New Yorkers were gripped by waves of religious revivalism. New groups established churches and utopian experiments all vied for converts. Examine the Shakers, Millerites, Mormons, Spiritualist and Evangelists and the impact that they had on social change. Presenter – PETER WISEBY, Genesee Country Village and Museum

February 18th   WATER-POWERED MILLING
Follow the development of water-powered milling from strong beginnings in a new nation to its appearance in the Genesee Valley. We’ll journey through the pioneering discovery of the natural resources of the mighty Genesee River that excited the early American settler to pursue mechanization and industrial innovation. Presenter – ALEX PIERCE, Local Historian

February 25th   THE GIANT CARDIFF – America’s Greatest Hoax
A ten-foot tall petrified giant is unearthed on a farm near the small rural town of Cardiff, New York in 1869. The word of the discovery soon ‘echoed’ across the countryside and it was quickly sheltered from the weather by a canvas tent to protect paying gawkers from the whims of New York’s weather. Presenter – RICH HAMELL, Geologist

March 4th   LEGACY OF MILITARY SERVICE
Join Steve on a journey of his family’s military connections to conflicts during King Henry IV’s usurpation of the English throne in 1399 to King Philip’s War (1675), the Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War and on to the modern era. Presenter – STEVE CLARKE, Genealogist

March 11th   NON-TRADITIONAL 19th CENTURY NUNDA WOMEN
As the women’s rights movement gathered strength in the late 1800’s, Nunda women were leaders in business, politics, medicine, art, education, and more. Hear their stories. Presenter – JOAN SCHUMAKER, Local Historian

March 18th   LIFE IN THE LAND OF LETCHWORTH FROM NATIVE TIMES TO MODERN DAY
People have lived along the Genesee River for thousands of years. Join Tom as he explores life in the Valley through local stories, maps, photographs, diaries, and more. Highlights include the experiences of the Jemison family, early pioneers, the Letchworths, and some 20th century park families. Presenter – TOM COOK, Local Historian

March 25th   The ROLE OF CAMP PORTAGE AND THE ERIE RAILROAD IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
Learn about the creation of Camp Portage (a Civil War Training Camp in Letchworth State Park) and the use of the Erie Railroad to transport Union Soldiers to the front lines! Presenter – MAX SZEMPLENSKI, Railroad Historian

Victor Hiking Trails (VHT) will be leading a hike this Saturday 3/25/2017 at 8:00 a.m. from “the Apple Farm” to Boughton Park, around the two ponds (aka former reservoirs) in Boughton Park and back to “the Apple Farm”, a distance of 9 to 11 miles, rated as strenuous and hilly.  Guesstimate of 3.5 – 4 hour hike (thus end time on 12;00 Noon listed in the heading of this hike event announcement is an approximation).   **Traction Devices (TDs) will be very helpful for this hike (understated), given terrain and known conditions at this time of year.

The hike is part of the hike series of Genesee Valley Hiking Club (& GVHG Meetup).  All hikers are welcome.  Anyone who is interested is encouraged to sign up on the GVHG Meetup.   – – For this hike, parking and hike start point is at the Apple Farm. – –

(Of note, Springwater Trails hikers have hiked a few of our weekly Sunday hikes in Boughton Park.)

As in part described, this hike will cover not only parts of Boughton Park but also substantial mileage on the Seneca Trail and the spur trail that is within “the Apple Farm” (aka the Victor Apple Farm).

FYI – as was in the news – “the Apple Farm” (in Victor), located at 1640 NYS Rt 444 (on the west side of Rt 444), sustained a fire in the sales and office building on November 4th 2016, a total loss.  The remainder of the farm structures and orchard remain intact, and intent is to rebuild a sales and office building.

The Apple Farm is one of many property owners who grants access for hiking trails on privately owned property.

One thought for a possible future hike – – plan a hike in the autumn at the Apple Farm, and provide for post hike apple picking  (perhaps as a social event itself, or as part of a social that may be held at the Apple farm where picnic tables are provided, or separate from a social).  A symbiotic hike event, such that the Apple Farm as landowners provides hiking trails (and access thereto), and hikers support the business of the landowners by purchasing apples and other goodies.

– – Back in the day, if this author recalls correctly, Maple Syrup from Sugarbush Hollow located in Springwater (owned by dearly departed Chuck Winship, a ST hiker and avid supporter of ST) was offered for sale at the Apple Farm store. – –

Have you ever pondered about the “Parade Grounds” area in Letchworth State Park?  What’s with the name and what is the history of the area?  Perhaps you’ve hiked & spent time there.  Well, read on for some answers.

The last program in the weekly Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series 2017 (MMWDS) serial of programs will be presented as follows:

“March 25th   The ROLE OF CAMP PORTAGE AND THE ERIE RAILROAD IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
Learn about the creation of Camp Portage (a Civil War Training Camp in Letchworth State Park) and the use of the Erie Railroad to transport Union Soldiers to the front lines! Presenter – MAX SZEMPLENSKI, Railroad Historian”

Of note, Camp Portage and the nearby Erie RR (both of yesteryear) are in today what we know as Letchworth State Park, in the area and surrounds known today as the “Parade Grounds”.   – – Some salience specifically of current events is: Sprinwater Trails hikers have on a number of occasions hiked in this area on some weekly scheduled Sunday hikes, and the 140+ year old Erie RR bridge which spans high above the Genesee River within Letchworth State Park currently has a replacement being built which will decommission the aging bridge.

The bridge, aka viaduct, has been subject of much attention as of late both in media postings and in program presentations put on for benefit of those in the community who have interest in the bridge and history.  One such program was sponsored by Penfield Trails Committee (PTC) on Saturday, February 11th, 2017 as part of PTCs annual Hikers Jamboree program.  Following the PTC sponsored program which was presented at Penfield Town Hall Auditorium, there where hikes in Penfield.  Both Springwater Trails and Genesee Valley Hiking Club participated in leading such hikes.

– Excerpts of a Springwater Trails website previously posted article on topic of the MMWDS 2017 are:

Springwater Trails hikers and others may be interested in a number of program presentations (lectures) in the Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series 2017.  In March, of particular salience in present day current events, as pertain to the Erie Railroad high bridge (Portage viaduct) spanning the Genesee River and constructon of a replacement bridge for this 140+ year old current trestle bridge, are the March 18th & 25th programs, among other programs of potential interest.

The annually recurrent Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series is offered January through March, on varying theme and topics. Each year holds about one dozen new program presentations.

The Mount Morris Winter Discovery Series 2017, is titled: “Life in America: Winter Discovery Series 2017”.  Facilities provided by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area, located at the northern end (east side of the Genesee River) of Letchworth State Park.  All lectures are free of charge and will be held in the Visitor Center on Saturdays at 1pm.  The Visitor Center, aka the William B. Hoyt II Visitor Center, which opened in 1999, is an enclosed heated venue with indoor restrooms and is located adjacent the east side of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Mount Morris Flood Control Dam (which was constructed 1948-1952).  Often light refreshments are served at programs of the Winter Discovery Series.   [Please note, do not confuse this A.C.E. Visitor Center with the Letchworth State Park – Humphrey Nature Center which is located in Letchworth State Park on the west side of the Genesee River and further south of the A.C.E. Mt Morris flood control dam.]

Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area Visitor Center is located at 6103 Visitor Center Road in Mount Morris, NY 14510. For more information call (585) 658-4790.

There are numerous exhibits and educational experiences in the Visitor Center, a brief opportunity may exist to view and experience some immediately prior to or after the Winter Discovery Series program.  Albeit, the Visitor Center is generally not otherwise open in the winter season.

UPDATE – TUESDAY MAY 2ND, TRAIL CONDITIONS: It will be muddy and wet, no chance of staying dry this year at the Bluebell hike.  Perhaps Traction Devices &/or gaiters may be desirable for use, &/or waterproof boots.  

Please feel free to join our friends of Genesee Valley Conservancy aka “GVC” (which has offices in Geneseo, NY) for its annual Bluebell hike(s).  Each hike, one at 10:00AM and another at 2:00PM will be ~ 1.5-2 hours in duration and cover ~3.5 miles.  Trail conditions may be muddy, so dress accordingly, TDs (Traction Devices) may be helpful.

This hike is a rather unique opportunity!  And … you’re invited!  You’ll marvel in the wonders of the blooms on Bluebells at this time of year, and as well traverse an area where normally hikers can not, as this hike on private property has been arranged exclusively for this GVC annual Bluebell hike (walk) event.

Hike location is at 3432 Nations Rd, Geneseo, NY.

Approx GPS Coords = 42.829918, -77.803816

Please note: hike times which start respectively at 10:00AM & 2:00PM are scheduled for just one day, Saturday , May 6th, 2017.  Miss the date and you’ll need to wait a year for the hike opportunity to roll around again.   Please realize that Mother Nature does not always cooperate with preplanned dates with design to showcase Natural Splendors.  Advance predicted timing of Bluebell flowers blooming can be a tenuous undertaking, especially so in some years where weather patterns are substantially outliers from the norm.

Hike Location:  Nations Rd runs, in an overall ~ “L” shape, westerly off NY Rt 39 (aka Avon Rd, and aka Avon-Geneseo Rd) a bit north of the Village of Geneseo, and also runs southerly off Co Rd 22 (aka Fowlerville Rd) in the western reaches of the Town of Avon.  (The shortest entry to the hike locale from a main road is from NY Rt 39.)  The hike location at 3432 Nations Rd is on the approximately e-w traversing section of Nations Rd, not far from the angular corner with the n-s traversing section of Nations Rd.    Parking is with judiciousness and courtesy along the side of Nations Rd.

Directly extracted from the GVC website, below is the hike description provided by GVC.

_____________________________________________________________________

Bluebell Hike

This 3.5 mile hike takes place on trails that will be muddy and includes hiking through fields and over uneven surfaces.  The hike features working agricultural fields and a forest along the Genesee River that is host to a spectacular sea of Common Bluebell flowers.  The hike will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

The hike will depart rain or shine.  There is no transportation available.  Participants must be able to complete the round trip.

The hike takes place on private property.  Please help us continue this event by only visiting with us during these scheduled times.

*Event supported by Steuben Trust Company

UPDATE – TUESDAY MAY 2ND, TRAIL CONDITIONS: It will be muddy and wet, no chance of staying dry this year at the Bluebell hike.  Perhaps Traction Devices &/or gaiters may be desirable for use, &/or waterproof boots.  

Please feel free to join our friends of Genesee Valley Conservancy aka “GVC” (which has offices in Geneseo, NY) for its annual Bluebell hike(s).  Each hike, one at 10:00AM and another at 2:00PM will be ~ 1.5-2 hours in duration and cover ~3.5 miles.  Trail conditions may be muddy, so dress accordingly, TDs (Traction Devices) may be helpful.

This hike is a rather unique opportunity!  And … you’re invited!  You’ll marvel in the wonders of the blooms on Bluebells at this time of year, and as well traverse an area where normally hikers can not, as this hike on private property has been arranged exclusively for this GVC annual Bluebell hike (walk) event.

Hike location is at 3432 Nations Rd, Geneseo, NY.

Approx GPS Coords = 42.829918, -77.803816

Please note: hike times which start respectively at 10:00AM & 2:00PM are scheduled for just one day, Saturday , May 6th, 2017.  Miss the date and you’ll need to wait a year for the hike opportunity to roll around again.   Please realize that Mother Nature does not always cooperate with preplanned dates with design to showcase Natural Splendors.  Advance predicted timing of Bluebell flowers blooming can be a tenuous undertaking, especially so in some years where weather patterns are substantially outliers from the norm.

Hike Location:  Nations Rd runs, in an overall ~ “L” shape, westerly off NY Rt 39 (aka Avon Rd, and aka Avon-Geneseo Rd) a bit north of the Village of Geneseo, and also runs southerly off Co Rd 22 (aka Fowlerville Rd) in the western reaches of the Town of Avon.  (The shortest entry to the hike locale from a main road is from NY Rt 39.)  The hike location at 3432 Nations Rd is on the approximately e-w traversing section of Nations Rd, not far from the angular corner with the n-s traversing section of Nations Rd.    Parking is with judiciousness and courtesy along the side of Nations Rd.

Directly extracted from the GVC website, below is the hike description provided by GVC.

_____________________________________________________________________

Bluebell Hike

This 3.5 mile hike takes place on trails that will be muddy and includes hiking through fields and over uneven surfaces.  The hike features working agricultural fields and a forest along the Genesee River that is host to a spectacular sea of Common Bluebell flowers.  The hike will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

The hike will depart rain or shine.  There is no transportation available.  Participants must be able to complete the round trip.

The hike takes place on private property.  Please help us continue this event by only visiting with us during these scheduled times.

*Event supported by Steuben Trust Company

This public hearing has been rescheduled for June 19.

The Spirngwater Town Board will hold a Public Hearing for the adoption of its first Comprehensive Plan.

Introductory info:  – –  Perhaps “motivation” to attend. – –   “Trolleys at Twilight” is an annual event at NYMT.   This event happens to be scheduled for Saturday, July 22 in 2017.  Some ST hikers may recall that we in ST have synced at least two hikes at the Genesee River Reserve (a sprawling town park situated in the northwest corner of the town of Rush) with opportunities of NYMT whose main museum building is located near the northeastern corner of the Reserve.  Impetus was expressed to do more ST hikes at the Reserve.

To date, ST has not synced a hike with “Trolleys at Twilight”.  Perhaps that may be a distinct possibility for a future year.  In the mean time here is an opportunity for ST hikers to avail themselves a unique opportunity, and perhaps “get the wheels turning” in consideration of planning a ST hike in sync with a scheduled NYMT “Trolleys at Twilight” future event.  Any ST Hike Planner could meld a ST hike and NYMT “Trolleys at Twilight” event as a combo event opportunity, and likely a jump-starter to doing so would be to first experience “Trolleys at Twilight” first-hand.

A link to NYMT calendar of events, for edification and perhaps an impetus or prompt to a ST Hike Planner with an eye toward future hike combo event possibilities.  (Note that Sept & Oct Sundays bring Fall Foliage trolley rides and Saturday 10/21 the Halloween Trolley Express, while December Sundays bring Holly Trolley rides.  Merely some opportunity to plan a hike combo event for the ST Autumn hiking quarter, Oct-Dec.)

Topical Info: (provided by NYMT)   Enjoy a unique evening at an old-time trolley park at the New York Museum of Transportation, Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 4:00 until dusk.  Trolley rides will operate throughout the event and calliope music will waft through the air as the sun goes down over the scenic Genesee countryside.   Complimentary ice cream treats will be provided for all attendees!

Trolley rides will operate continuously from 4 p.m. til dusk, and the museum model railroad will be alive with miniature trains.  As the sun sets, there will be unique opportunities for night photography.   No reservations are needed, and unlimited trolley rides are included in the admission price of $8 adults, $7 seniors age 65 +, and $6 youths age 3 – 12.  Under age 3 are free.

The New York Museum of Transportation is located at 6393 East River Road, just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester and easily reached from Exit 11 off I-390.   Phone: (585) 533-1113.   The museum is regularly open only one day per week – Sundays from 11AM- 5PM, except for special events such as this Saturday special event “Trolleys at Twilight”.     www.nymtmuseum.org

All are welcome to view and play the Aeolian home organ recently restored for a private residence.  Originally installed in 1928, this organ is equipped with a player mechanism that enables the instrument to play from a repertoire of over 800 musical compositions.

Unfortunately, this open house coincides with the Stid Hill hike, but interested hikers might be able to work in a half hour or so with careful planning. Their facility is about a mile north of the Stid Hill parking lot.

Even if you can’t make the open house, take a moment to view pictures of the restoration.

TOWN OF SPRINGWATER
OPEN HOUSE
For NEW
TOWN HIGHWAY BARN

8319 Hudson Road, Springwater, NY

November 4, 2017
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Fun for the whole family – food and beverages will be provided.
Come on down and help us CELEBRATE!

The railroad may have existed between 1899 – 1947, but much is still left today including some stations, a
Historical Society, and a museum with restored railroad cars. Join John Muchler of the Shawmut Historical Society to discuss the history of the
railroad and how the museum in Angelica obtained the original rolling stock.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.