Historic Pittsford

Hobart and William Smith are proud to honor the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the 41st recipient of the Elizabeth Blackwell Award on Feb. 3, 2021, the 200th birthday of the award’s namesake.

PITTSFORD NOW & THEN VIEWS OF SCHOEN'S ALLEY (SCHOEN PLACE) 100 YEARS APART. ... 100 years ago, Pittsford Village's waterfront was a busy mill and warehouse district. The area included the wholesaling of lumber, coal, and produce, fruit drying, flour milling and farm implement sales. There were multiple railroad sidings that provided bulk transportation. The canal was very active with freight and coaling tugboats was done from the building now housing Lock 32. On the right side of the 1920 photo below, you can see barrels stacked by the Pittsford Flour Mill. Beyond the mill, the barns that today house Jembetat Gelato and Lock 32 are visible. The North Main Street Bridge visible in the old photo was replaced by the current bridge in 1984. NYSDOT worked with the Village to design a truss supported structure that visually resembled the old bridge. Two barges are visible in the old photo being pushed by tugs past the present Port-of-Pittsford Park. The house on the left is pink today and sits below the rear of the Pittsford Community Library. In 1920, Schoen's (pronounced "shane") Alley was just a muddy private commercial drive that was combined in this section with the old tow path. Canal and railroad workers were a rough and tumble crowd. Pittsford Town Historian Audrey Johnson recently reminded me that when she was growing up, proper people avoided the area and as a little girl she was told not to go there at night. The Village began to maintain the drive in the 1950s. The pavement of the towpath was not separated from the street until the of the first of the Village's eight Schoen Place/canal capital improvement projects was completed in 1994. The grant funded project was one of my first actions as newly elected mayor in 1993. Since that time, many other Village improvements and private rehabilitation projects have transformed Schoen Place into the popular regional destination we enjoy today. Data compiled by New York Parks and Trails indicates that the Schoen Place segment of the Erie Canal Towpath Trail is the most heavily trafficked section in the state. Thanks to Mark Skipworth for finding and sending me the old photo!

PITTSFORD'S CORN HILL NAVIGATION RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL GRANT Corn Hill Navigation has received an Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grant of $11,388 to implement a variety o...f educational initiatives aboard the Sam Patch, including a bird watching tour in partnership with the Montezuma Audubon Society, and hands-on learning for students in the Erie Canal Environmental Education program, which blends STEM, history, and environmental curriculums. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has made 96 grants to communities and non-profit organizations since 2008 that have spurred $2.49 million in additional investments in heritage preservation, recreation, and education. IMPACT! Grants are made possible with funding support provided by the National Park Service and the NYS Canal Corporation. We are proud to support this year’s IMPACT! Grant recipients as the winning projects will positively improve canalside communities while ensuring the New York State Canal System continues to drive economic growth while safeguarding the environment and preserving the history of the nation’s most iconic waterway for the next generation, said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton.

8 WASHINGTON AVENUE This house and the similar house next door at number 6 were built in 1905, by the same builder. The house represents the shift in domestic ...achitectural design from Queen Anne to simpler more functional styles such as Four-square, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival that occurred around 1900. This house retains the roof form associated with Queen Anne but the rest of of the structure is executed in a dignified but fairly restrained style. The house was part of a small construction boom in the village that occurred after 1900 due in part to the convenient commuting provided by the opening of the interuban electric railway and the availability of cars. In most towns, homes like this have lost their architectural character. Poorly designed alterations and the substitution of less durable materials often cause deterioration over time. Pittsford Village stands out today because the modest homes and neighborhoods continue to retain their historic charm and walkability, and thus also their livability. While so many historic towns in our region have declined, I am proud that Pittsford Village, including its inner neighborhoods actually look better today than when I was growing up in the 1970s. The Village continues to see tremendous investment in older homes and neighborhoods. Since 1971, the Historic Preservation Board has worked with owners reviewing proposed changes to ensure the key historic exterior elements are left in place when buildings are adapted to meet modern needs. Susan Mazurowski Whelan purchased this house several years ago and has put a great deal of work it. This past weekend, Susan put up her Christmas decorations, which look as just as elegant as all of the improvements she has made to the property.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PITTSFORD 21 CHURCH STREET... Pittsford's oldest religious organization began as a series informal services held at the homes of early residents. In 1809, Reverend Solomon Allan organized the Second Congregational Church with services held at Glover Perrin's house located near the Milepost. (The First Congregational Church remains in Canandaigua and is the region's oldest church.) In 1816, a small church was built near the Milepost schoolhouse. After 1805, with the construction of "State Road" (today's New York State Route 31), and the survey of the new canal route, settlement in Pittsford migrated toward the Four Corners. In 1826, the church built a new stone, sixty foot by 40 foot building on the site of the present church. The church contained fifty pews and a three sided second-level gallery. In 1861, the church was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Two years later, the fine Italianate-style present church was constructed on the same site. Characteristic features of the style include the tall narrow half-round windows and gently sloped gable roof. The two-color patterned slate spire is the highest in the village. The interior of the church was always restrained reflecting the meeting-house tradition and liturgy of the congregation. Until 1869, the church had been a Congregational Church associated with the local Presbytery. That year the church officially became a Presbyterian Church. In 1890, the church acquired a pipe organ funded in part by Andrew Carnegie. In the 1930s, church member Stuart Canfield (my grandmother Marian Bushman Corby's stepfather) hand dug a full basement under the sanctuary and oversaw the construction of the original Fellowship Hall. In 1952, the rear parking lot was built and an addition housing a Sunday school was constructed. Pittsford's suburban growth phase caused growing pains at the church. In 1962, the church acquired the adjacent historic Guetersloh (Dr.John Ray) house and converted it to offices. (See separate post on the Dr. John Ray House). In 1967, a large addition was constructed to house a new vestibule, classrooms, a kitchen and a larger Fellowship Hall. The renovations included redesign of the church auditorium. A new balcony was added and the direction of seating reversed. A large glass audio visual room clashed visually with remnants of the original design. In the spring of 2004 the church was struck by lightening and the resulting fire burned off the roof over the sanctuary. Fortunately, the rest of the structure survived, including nearly all of the stained glass windows. The church organized with incredible speed to restore the building. At the time, I worked at Bero Architecture and executed much of the design work in the reconstruction. The project allowed us to correct awkward design features left from the 1960s expansion project. The elaborate plaster cornice was fully restored using historic photographs. The balcony was raised and was redesigned along with the chancel to be harmonious with the Italianate style of the building. To achieve the correct appearance I visited a number of other contemporary churches to ensure the details were historically and visually accurate for the period. A modern lightening protection system was installed during the last renovation project so hopefully fires at First Presbyterian will be limited to the pages of history.

75 MONROE UPDATE COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF VILLAGE IN 2 KEY CASES UPHOLDING DECISIONS OF 3 VILLAGE BOARDS The Village has released the following statement:... Court Issues Two Major Rulings in Favor of Village of Pittsford in Westport Crossing Lawsuits, Upholding Decisions of Village Boards to Deny Project Approval Since the receipt of the original application, the various boards of the Village of Pittsford have insisted the Westport Crossing Project fit within the established character of the community and enhance the unique canalside location. In a pair of decisions issued today, Supreme Court Justice John J. Ark upheld the Village’s efforts, dismissing two major lawsuits brought by the Developer of the Westport Crossing Project, both of which were critical to the Developer obtaining all of the necessary approvals from the Village of Pittsford. In particular, the Court upheld rulings from the Village’s Historic Preservation Board (formerly the Architectural Preservation and Review Board) and its Planning and Zoning Board (acting as the reviewing authority for the Local Waterfront Revitalization program). In each case, the Boards had previously issued determinations that the Project was not consistent with the Village’s criteria for approval. The Developer sued to challenge those determinations. Today, the Court ruled that both Boards had a rational basis for their determinations, which were neither arbitrary nor capricious and will not be overturned. Specifically, the Court rejected the Developer’s argument that zoning approval somehow limits historic and architectural review, and noted the developer had offered no arguments regarding the reasonableness ( or alleged lack thereof) of the APRB' s determination. Because both approvals were required for the Westport Crossing Project, these decisions strike a major blow to the Developer’s chances of proceeding with the Project, as currently proposed. As proposed to those boards, the Westport Crossing Project is essentially over. We feel vindicated by these rulings, which confirm everything that our Village Boards have been pointing out for several years, Mayor Bob Corby said. The Project, as currently proposed, simply is not consistent with the Village’s standards for historic architecture and waterfront development. The ball is now back in the Developer’s court to propose an appropriately designed project that meets the Village’s standards.

In honor of Candlelight Night, snuggle together at home and please join Mrs. Claus virtually from the Little House this year. Happy holidays to all! https://www.historicpittsford.com/video

Historic Pittsford wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday!

ANOTHER VILLAGE HOUSE IS REHABILITATED This fine circa 1905 Four-square house located at 36 Monroe Avenue sat vacant for several years while estate issues were ...settled and the house was placed on the market. The house had suffered interior water damage and the property's landscaping had become overgrown. Fortunately, the house has a beautiful deep lot that backs up to the canal. The new owners originally planned to flip the house but fell in love with the property and plan to make it their home. Rehabilitation work is well underway. In the 1950s, front porches went out of style and were removed from a number of houses in the village, including this house. Since that time, many have been restored including one I designed at the corner of Monroe and Sutherland Street. At the owners' request, I met on site last week to provide guidance on what type of porch would be appropriate on a Four-square house. Fortunately, there are many examples in the immediate neighborhood. We found one that seems a perfect fit. Plans will be drawn up and the proposal will be submitted for review by the Village Historic Preservation Board.

THE MERRITT P. TOBEY HOUSE CHERRY HILL FARM 156 MENDON CENTER ROAD... In researching the history of Pittsford, I have learned a great deal from Village and Town Historian, Audrey Johnson, old maps, my relatives, and other historical documentation. Uncovering connections between my family and other old Pittsford families to different landmarks in town is part of the fun in doing this. Sometimes the historic documentation is incomplete or unclear so I appreciate any corrections or additions to the information I have posted. I hope you enjoy these posts at least half as much as I do in photographing, researching and writing them. The Tobey family moved to Pittsford from Vermont. Arriving on the canal, they bought property what is now Tobey Road and built the house at 291 Tobey Road known as the Reuben Tobey house. The house at 156 Mendon Center Road, located a short distance from the Reuben Tobey House, is one of Pittsford's early homes and was built about 1825. The front door surround with sidelights, the slender cornice returns, and overall massing, proportions and fenestration pattern are all representative of the regional Federal style. The house retains a cellar kitchen with beehive oven. It is believed the house may have been built by Horace Norris Lathrop Newcomb. The Newcombs intermarried with the Tobey family. The 1858 Monroe County map lists the property being owned by H. Newcomb. By 1883, the property owner is listed as Merritt P. Tobey. Merritt Tobey was Reuben Tobey's son. Merritt Tobey operated an 91-1/2-acre dairy farm known as the "Cherry Hill Dairy Farm." Merritt also delivered mail by horse and wagon. Merritt's daughter Esther married Vernon Plain. When first married, the couple rented a tenant house owned by my great grandfather Stewart Canfield in what is now Mendon Ponds Park. Esther then moved back with her husband to occupy one side of her parents' home. Esther was well known and well liked in Pittsford and for many years worked at the Pittsford Post Office. Eventually Esther's daughter and husband occupied half of the house. Esther lived in the home until nearly the time of her death. Four years ago, the property was purchased by Matt and Katie Andres. Matt and Katie have lovingly cared for this historic property.

PITTSFORD NOW AND THEN EAST SIDE OF SOUTH MAIN STREET ABOUT 1946... Notice that in the 1940s, the Phoenix Building had been painted white. The three commercial buildings, located between the Phoenix Building and Church Street, were demolished and replaced with the two current buildings about 1960. At about the same time, Andy Wolfe purchased the vacant fire damaged Phoenix Building and began restoring it. The 1946 photo is part of the Anne Hartsig photo collection in the Village Archives.