FEATURE ARTICLES
Front Page
Events Calendar
Letters To Isledegrande
Features
In the Service

DONATIONS

View our Archives

Between Archives

TOWN NEWS
Town News
School Board
Town Board
Lost Pets
Government
Islanders
Fire News
Fire Report


GUESTBOOK
Guestbook
Search
Old Guestbooks


ReUnion Central



BUSINESS
Advertise With Us
Business News


MISCELLANEOUS
Churches
Deaths
New Photos
Old Photo Album
Sesquicentennial
Sports
Town History


GRAND ISLAND GROUP LIST
Alumni Association
American Legion
Autism Support
Bible Fellowship Center
Bible Presbyterian Church
Boy Scout Troop #510
Boy Scout Troop #630
Bridgeview Garden Club
Buffalo Launch Club
Bus Garage
Cinderella Isle
  Garden Club

Community Chorus
Connor Middle School
Conservative Committee
Coop Nursery School
Cornerstone Church
Cub Pack #425
Cub Pack #630
DeGlopper Memorial
Expansion Committee

Democratic Comm.
East Park Garden Club
Fire Company
Friends of the Library
Girl Scouts
Golden Age Center
Grand Island Farms
GI Foundation
GI E.D.A.B.
GI High School
GI Little League
GI Soccer Club
GI Teachers Assoc.
Historic Trinity
Historical Society
Holy Name Society
(St. Stephen's)

Huth Road
Elementary School

Island
Presbyterian Church

Jack and Jill Preschool
Jr. Viking Football
Kaegebein School
Kiwanis Club
Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
Good Samaritan

League of Women Voters
Library
Lions Club
Ministerium
Miracle League
MOMS Club
Moose Lodge #180
MVK of WNY
Neighbors Foundation
Parent Teachers Assoc.
PTSA
Parish Players
Recreation Department
Relay For Life
Republican Women's Club
Republican Committee
River Lea Quilters
Riverside-Salem
Rotary Club
Sandy Beach Yacht Club
Sesquicentennial
Sidway Reunion
Sidway School
Snowmobile Club
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
St. Stephen Church
St. Stephen School
St. Timothy
Lutheran Church

Save The Michael's
Teddy's Islettes
Trinity Church GI
VFW 9249
West River Homeowners
Women's Club of GI
WOW
Young Life
Zonta Club


USEFUL LINKS
Currency Exchange
Dictionary
Temperament Sorter
Enneagram
Language Translator
MedicineNet
Online Recipes
NYS Government
US Gov -IRS
Postal Services







PLEASE PATRONIZE
OUR ADVERTISERS
LISTED BELOW

AMUSEMENTS
Mallwitz's Island Lanes

CHIROPRACTOR/
PEDIATRIC
Riverview Chiropractic

FUNERAL HOME
Kaiser Funeral Home

JEWELRY
deSignet International

LAWYERS
Mark J. Frentzel

LIQUOR
Rose Liquor

LANDSCAPING/EXCAVATING
Sam Long's Landscaping

OPTICIAN
Grand Island Optical

ORGANIZATIONS
West River Homeowners

PLUMBING
Frank's Mr. Plumber

POWER EQUIPMENT
Marston Power Equipment

REAL ESTATE
Century 21/Gerrie Andolina
Metro Town Center/Betty Harris
HUNT-Sherry McDonald

RESTAURANTS
John's Pizza & Subs
The Village Inn

WATCH REPAIR
Otto Zimmerman and Son

Grand Island Historical Society Since 1962

News Page 2019
PO Box 135
Grand Island, NY 14072


E-Mail

Previous Historical Society News Page



River Lea - The Grand Island Historical Society restored and maintains the farm house known as River Lea and located in Beaver Island State Park. It was built on Lewis F. Allen's property, Allenton Farms, by his son, W. Cleveland Allen. Today it is owned by New York State.

Membership Form - Please Join
Directions To River Lea      Mission Statement       Society Officers

Grand Island Historical Society & River Lea History
Grand Island History - Published 1898 By Truman C. White
Jim Fisher's Avocational Archaeology & Lithic Technology Web Site
Grand Island History and Photos (Update 9/20/09)
River Lea Artists - Photos - Paintings - Artists James Edward Montanari - Eugene Matthew Dyczkowski ("Dick")




GI Historical Society Holiday Luncheon Photos - December 2019

   

Left: Maggie Gushue & Carolyn Doebert. Right: Robin Shipman & Curt Historical Society President Curt Nestark

.    

Left: Carolyn Doebert and Joanne Gesl. Right: Phyllis Martin & Robin Shipman

.

Joanne Gesl

.     The Grand Island Historical Society Annual Holiday Luncheons took place the first week of December and were a huge success. Over three days, more than 100 people enjoyed a lunch of cranberry salad, homemade breads, chicken ala king and sundaes and xmas cookies for dessert.
    This year's show was "Chapeau Fashions", collection and narrated by Maggie Gushue. Historical Society members modeled the hats, some from as far back as the 1830's. There was a Christmas store that sold homemade jams, jelly, pickled items, xmas cookies and nearly new Christmas holiday decor.




GI Historical Society Holiday Open House - December 2019


    The Grand Island Historical Society Holiday Open House will be held on Sunday, December 8th at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Enjoy the decorations and sounds of the season in our historic farmhouse. Shop in our country store and enjoy some refreshments while listening to holiday music. Costumed docents will be on hand to share information about the house. This is free and open to the public! Please invite your family, friends and neighbors!




Historical Society Meeting - November 2019

   The Grand Island Historical Society November General Meeting is on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road at the Nike Base Complex. The guest speaker will be Marty Biniasz of the Erie County Fair with a power point program on Buffalo's Central Terminal. A meeting and refreshments will follow. Everyone is welcome to attend.




Historical Society Annual Holiday Luncheons - October 2019


From Left: Historical Society members Jodi Robinson(1940's), Carolyn Doebert(1900) & Adele Upton(1970's), wearing vintage hats

As of 11/26/19: Tuesday and Saturday sold out. Friday, December 6th - 6 seats available.
    The Grand Island Historical Society Annual Holiday Luncheons will take place on Tuesday, December 3rd, Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. Luncheons begin at 12 Noon - SHARP. Tickets are $25.00 and reservations are required by calling Sue at 773-5313. A program by Maggie Gushue entitled "Chapeau Fashions" will follow the luncheons. River Lea will be decorated to get you in the holiday spirit. The Country Store will be open for your shopping pleasure. Items in the store include member homemade candy, cookie trays and saurkraut! See flyer.




Historical Society Homemade Sauerkraut & Pierogi Fundraiser - October 2019


   The Grand Island Historical Society has made homemade sauerkraut and pierogi as a fall fundraiser. One dozen frozen potato/farmer cheese pierogi are $7, one quart zip-lock bag fresh sauerkraut is $3. Pre-order by calling 773-6699 or 775-6745. Pick-up is on Sunday, October 20th at the River Lea Historical Museum in Beaver Island Park, between 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cash or checks only. See flyer for details.




Historical Society Meeting - October 2019

   The Grand Island Historical Society October General Meeting is on Thursday,October 3, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. The guest speaker is society member Nicole Gerber, will present a power point program on “The Farms of Grand Island". Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.




GI Historical Society Display at Antique Boat Show - September 2019

Map Display at BLC.

   The Grand Island Historical Society has set up a display of old Grand Island maps at the Buffalo Launch Club. The public will be able to view the display, along with antique boats and cars at the 41st Annual Niagara Frontier Antique Classic Boat & Car Show on Saturday, September 7th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.




River Lea Renovations & Historical Society News - August 2019

November 2018

August 2019 - Click photos for larger view.

    The Grand Island Historical Society's museum is located in River Lea Villa at Beaver Island State Park. Island resident and NYS Parks carpenter Harold Stickl recently spent many hours with his crew renovating the front of the house. Windows were made operational, pieces of rotted wood siding replaced, the downstairs threshold and door were fixed, upstairs balcony was rebuilt, and the entire front was scraped and painted. These gentlemen did a fabulous job. Thanks very much for all your hard work!
    The first GI Historical Society meeting of the fall will take place on Thursday, September 5th at 6:30 p.m. It is a potluck dinner and presentation. If you are interested in becoming a member, you are welcome to attend. Bring your $20 membership fee, a dish to pass and your own utensils. The presentation will be on new donations and explaining the accessioning process.




Historical Society Installation Dinner - June 2019

From left: Arlene Edhe, treasurer; Mary Cooke, corresponding secretary; Adell Upton, vice-president; and Robin Shipman, recording secretary. Missing is Curt Nestak. president.
Mary Stewart photo.

    The Grand Island Historical Society held their Installation dinner on Thursday, June 6th at River Lea in Beaver Island Park. A wonderful buffet dinner was catered by Collette's Catering and society member June Crawford gave a presentation on Graycliff, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed summer home on Lake Erie. Officers installed were Arlene Edhe, treasurer; Mary Cooke, corresponding secretary; Adell Upton, vice-president; and Robin Shipman, recording secretary. Missing is Curt Nestak. president.




Historical Society Open House - May 2019

    The Grand Island Historical Society will host an Open House at the River Lea Museum in Beaver Island State Park on Sunday, May 19th from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.




Historical Society Meeting - May 2019

   The Grand Island Historical Society May General Meeting is on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. The guest speaker is Jim Pace, president of the West Seneca Historical Society, with a presentation, "West Seneca Ebenezer Society, Community of True Inspiration". Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.




Historical Society Open House - April 2019

    The Grand Island Historical Society will host an Open House at the River Lea Museum in Beaver Island State Park on Sunday, April 14th from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.




Historical Society Meeting - April 2019

   GI Historical Society April general meeting and program. Thursday, April 4th at 7:00 p.m. Program: Jay Englert and "A Cold Day Alaska Adventure." Everyone welcome, refreshments served.




Historical Society Meeting - March 2019

   GI Historical Society March general meeting and program. Thursday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. Program: "Allan Herschell and the North Tonawanda Carousels."Everyone welcome, refreshments served.




Historical Society GI History Class - February 2019

    The Grand Island Historical Society is having a class in "Grand Island History" at the Spring 2019 Community Education Program. This is the third year a class has been held. The course consists of four classes at Grand Island High School and the final class is held at the Historical Society's museum, River Lea, in Beaver Island Park. Each class has covered different subjects, so prior attendence is not necessary. This year's subjects will be Islands of the upper Niagara River, Farming on Grand Island and Resorts from the Golden Age. The classes are held on Wednesday evenings, starting March 13th, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The cost is $25 and space is available. Call 773-8864 or register online here. Course Description.