I’ve had several readers ask me about the annual Webster Museum Barn Sale, which usually takes place the same week as the NY Hope Garage Sale. But there was no sale last year, and it was sorely missed. So I’m happy to report that the Barn Sale is back for 2025!
Sort of.
Actually, this year’s sale will be a collaboration between the Webster Museum, who will fill one barn with vintage items, and a huge Estate Sale hosted by Jan and Phil Naujokas, who will fill the other barns with many other treasures. The sale will be held Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 11, 12 and 13, on the same Phillips Rd. property and in the same barns as always, which are owned by the Naujokas family.
Among the museum items for sale will include old high chairs, cranberry glasses, old newspapers and tools, treasures from past barn sales, some vintage pieces donated by museum volunteers, and many other unique items. Funds raised from any of those items will benefit the museum.
The Estate Sale and Vintage Museum Sale will be held on Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 11, 12 and 13,9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 394 Phillips Rd. It’s worth stopping by just to see the historic property and its old barns. Picking up some bargains and historic treasures would be pretty cool, too.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
On a quiet summer morning 136 years ago this week, the peaceful community of Forest Lawn was jarred by a horrifying crash. A deadly train accident shattered the town’s calm, leaving twisted tracks, splintered cars, and a tragic story that would be remembered for generations.
August 10, 1889 was a normal day for the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad “stub train,” which ran from Windsor Beach to Forest Lawn every morning. It had pulled into the station at 7:50 a.m., as expected, and passengers were boarding.
Unfortunately, it was not a normal morning for the “Thousand Island” express train, which was running almost two hours late. It normally barreled through the station at high speed at 6 a.m. But on this morning, as it thundered around the curve, the stub train blocked its path, and the engineer could do little to avoid the collision.
The resulting crash telescoped the stub train’s coach cars, two of which were lifted off the tracks and shoved against the station house. The express train’s engine ran off into the sand and blew up. Three people lost their lives, including a young girl, and six were severely injured.
Newspaper accounts from the time didn’t explicitly assign blame, but investigators questioned why no one anticipated that the late-arriving express train would reach Forest Lawn at about the same time as the stub train from Windsor Beach. A man should have been sent down the track to flag the train, the reports argued. Sometimes in such situations, orders are telegraphed ahead to stop at a siding, but the conductor insisted he never received any such order.
A Democrat and Chronicle article published the day following the crash noted that,
The place itself is a most favorable one for accidents. Forest Lawn is … situated on a sharp promontory. The Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg track curves sharply on each side of the station so that standing on the platform, scarcely twenty rods of track (330 feet) are visible to the west and the stretch of track between the station and the curve to the east is considerably less than that. … A flag was displayed at the rear of the stub train but to expect protection from that means would be worse than foolishness for it would give the engineer of the approaching train no time whatever in which to avert the disaster.
The Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad (better known in our area as the Hojack) has been out of business for many years, and the train station is long gone. But while trains no longer run through the Forest Lawn neighborhood, the memory of that tragic day will endure for many years.
(photo above provided by Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton)
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
For today’s History Bit, we continue our stroll down Webster Museum’s recreated Main Street, passing Witmer’s, the Candy Kitchen and Mayor Hawley’s office, to discover nostalgic tribute to the service stations and dairies that once dotted our community.
At the heart of the exhibit is a colorful collection of vintage service station memorabilia, artifacts which pay homage to the many local garages and filling stations that kept Webster’s cars running smoothly for generations. Long before the days of self-service pumps and drive-through oil changes, town residents relied on friendly, full-service attendants at places like Furber’s Garage, Merz’s Sunoco and the Esso station at the village’s Four Corners. Mechanics knew their customers by name, and a quick stop for gas often turned into a neighborly chat. The exhibit also features photos and descriptions of many of the service stations.
Just across the display, Webster’s agricultural side gets equal billing. Before sprawling neighborhoods and supermarkets, fresh milk was delivered daily by local dairies like Webster Dairy and Forest Farms Dairy. Glass milk bottles bearing familiar names and phone numbers bring back memories of clinking crates left on doorsteps.
Together, the memorabilia offer a window into a time when Webster was a small, tight-knit community—when you got your car fixed down the street and your milk came from just a few roads over.
Stay tuned for the next stop on our museum tour of Webster in September when we peek into a typical farmhouse and see what life was like. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Webster Museum on their website, or stop by for a personal tour.
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There’s no admission charge.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
In today’s wacky and overpriced housing market, it’s fun to remember a time back in the early to mid-1900s when you could purchase your new home from the Sears Catalog.
They were called “kit houses,” also known as pre-cut houses, ready-cut houses, mail order homes or catalog homes. Basically, they were delivered in pieces, which the homeowner would assemble. They came in many different styles ranging from simple bungalows to imposing colonials, and buyers were encouraged to personalize their order; walls, windows and doors could be moved, added or eliminated. Prices ranged from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the style, which was a reasonable price even back then.
Several other companies also offered kit homes, including Montgomery Ward, Aladdin Homes, Wardway Homes, and Bennett Homes. Almost all the materials needed to complete the home were provided, including pre-measured and pre-cut lumber, and hardware. Brick, concrete or masonry were not included, and plumbing, electricity, labor and land would, of course, add to the final cost. But ultimately, a kit home was an economical option for a lot of families.
Several kit houses still exist in Webster. One in on Shoemaker Rd. Its owner remembers that the ranch-house model was called the Fairmount and it was ordered from Liberty Ready-Cut Homes. It featured a 1330-foot floor plan, with covered porch, three bedrooms, kitchen, living room and dining room.
She added,
The “kit” was brought in on the Hojack, then the parts were trucked to the building site on Shoemaker. The owners (Irving and Helen Simmons) did much of the assembly themselves and hired contractors for a few things. I can verify that the quality of the construction is superior to the two previous homes I’ve owned, contractor-built, around the same time, and of similar styles.
These beautiful little (and big) homes were the perfect answer for families looking for an affordable home-buying option, and their quality has survived the test of time.
You can read more about Webster’s kit houses and more at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
The presentation was part of NBT Bank’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new branch located at 1075 Ridge Road (in the plaza with Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, next to Great Clips).
Donations like this are a key part of NBT Bank’s commitment to supporting the communities they serve. With each new branch opening, the bank selects a local nonprofit organization to receive a donation.
During the check presentation, Market Manager Lindsey Meyers praised the museum’s efforts, saying:
The Webster Historical Society’s passion for keeping Webster’s history alive, and the dedicated effort within the community, is really something special. Their commitment to the Webster School District and other organizations makes them a staple in both Rochester and Webster. We are honored and privileged to partner with you today.
Webster Museum President Tom Pellett expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that while there are no immediate plans for the funds, they will go a long way toward supporting the museum’s mission.
“It’s gifts like this that keep us—a nonprofit, all-volunteer museum—going,” he said. “It enables us to keep the museum open for free, so we’re always thankful.”
Also attending the presentation were Webster Museum volunteers Sharon Pratt and Deb Oakley; Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton; Webster Town Supervisor Tom Flaherty; Webster Chamber of Commerce President Barry Howard; Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President Bob Duffy; and several NBT corporate representatives.
NBT Bank, which recently merged with Evans Bank, is expanding its presence in Upstate New York. The new Webster location is the first NBT branch in the Rochester area. When asked why Webster was chosen, Shauna Hyle, Executive VP of Community Banking, explained:
We really like the Webster community. We had a subsidiary in downtown Rochester, and many of our employees lived in Webster. That gave us some insight into the area, and we felt it was a great opportunity to re-enter this market.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
The Webster Recreation Center will be holding a Family Fun Night on Friday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.
The evening’s festivities will include lawn games, dancing, food, and lots more. Police, fire department and Town of Webster highway trucks will be present, as well as community group booths, tattoo artists, food trucks and a concession stand. There’ll even be an “Instrument Zoo.”
There’s no cost to attend and registration is not necessary. Just come on by and bring the family!
*****
Color Webster Green has scheduled two very interesting programs in the next few weeks.
The first is an outdoor workshop called Magnificent Monarchs, on Saturday, May 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Charles Sexton Park. Color Webster Green member Geri McMahon will be presenting this family-friendly event. Everyone who attends will go home with fun stickers, and some milkweed seeds to plant in their yards.
There’s no charge, and registration is optional, but it might be nice to let the Color Webster Green folks know how many are planning to attend.
The second is a Refuse District Discussion on Thursday, May 29 from 7 to 8 p.m.
This is an online discussion to start a conversation about refuse districts. Since this is an initiative that needs a lot of buy-in from the community, Color Webster Green is trying to see if folks are interested in pushing for this. It’s already been implemented in Brighton and Pittsford.
The discussion will start with a short presentation on what refuse districts are and how it came about in Brighton. The meeting will be online via MS Teams at this link.
*****
The Webster Museum has some new items in their store, which you’ll want to check out next time you’re there. They’re scenic photo cards picturing several beautiful features of the Webster area, including the Harmony House, the pier, historic homes, and others.
The cost is three cards for $5.40, or $2.15 each, tax included. Cash or check, please.
The Webster Museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. They’re located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.
*****
The next Breakfast Before Business Meeting of the Webster Chamber of Commerce will be Friday, May 30 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
The Webster Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast for Chamber members, guests, and visitors who are interested in investigating Chamber membership. The monthly breakfasts are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. Every attendee participates in pass-the-mic time, your opportunity to briefly introduce yourself. This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event in the Greater Rochester area, with 70 to 90 attendees. Reservations are required. Click here.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
The next stop in our History Bits Tour of the Webster Museum’s permanent exhibits is the office of W. Roy “Bob” Hawley.
W.R. Hawley was born in 1881 to George Nelson Hawley and Mae Hawley, who owned a prosperous general store. He could have chosen to take that over when he grew up, but instead, in 1910 he opened Hawley’s Hardware Store at 17 West Main St., and later moved it to the corner of Lapham Park. When it closed more than 50 years later in 1965, it was the oldest retail business in the village or town of Webster.
In addition to running his store, W.R. was also actively involved in the Village of Webster’s political and social scenes. In 1931 he was elected village mayor, a position he would hold for the next 34 years.
Among the original items you’ll see when you visit Mayor Hawley’s office at the museum are the roll-top desk which sat in his office at the back of the store, and the store’s ornate cash register.
Adjacent to Mayor Hawley’s office is the museum’s tribute to the many apothecaries and their pharmacists who have served our town.
Next to a recreated drugstore, complete with an apothecary cabinet, apothecary bottles and mortar and pestle, are biographies highlighting some of Webster’s best-known pharmacists. They include George Mason, who in 1884 built the block at 5 East Main St. and opened a combination drug and grocery store on the first floor; and Milton Case, who owned the Webster Drug Store in the 1930s and served as village mayor for several years. You can also read about Walter Weiner, who bought the Webster Drug Store from Milton Case, and Frank Lucas, who ran the Lucas Rexall Drug Store for 43 years.
Stay tuned for the next stop on our museum tour of Webster in July when we take a closer look at our town’s dairy industry. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Webster Museum on the website, webstermuseum.org. Or stop by for a personal tour.
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There’s no admission charge.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
May is a pretty neat month. After a cold, gray winter, we’re finally getting some warm temperatures, sunshine and flowers. But May is particularly special for the folks at the Webster Museum, who are commemorating National Preservation Month, a time to swap out old exhibits for new, and to offer some special programs.
National Preservation Month is a time when the museum focuses on Webster’s visible history, as seen in historic buildings and illuminated through oral histories. Here’s what’s in store in the next few weeks:
History and a Cupseries
The History and a Cup programs focus on oral history; long-time Webster residents tell their stories in a comfortable, give-and-take atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich and enjoy some soft drinks and cookies as they sit back and listen to the stories.
Three programs have been scheduled this month, each one on a Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m. There’s no charge for these events and registration is not needed.
Wednesday May 7:Jon Anderson and Bill Ruoff: Jon and Bill have lived in the Village of Webster for mofre than 50 years. Both have been Village trustees, and Bill was a Village mayor.
Wednesday May 14:John Gonzalez: John Gonzalez is married to Shari, daughter of Bruce and Mary Hegedorn, and has been actively involved in the Hegedorn family businesses for many years. John will share his experiences and what it was like working with Bruce Hegedorn and Bill Gray.
Wednesday May 21:Surprise guest! Stay tuned here and stay in touch with the Webster Museum website for more details.
Learn about cobblestone buildings
Ever wonder about those beautiful cobblestone homes and businesses that dot our town? Cobblestones are a unique and interesting building material. You can learn more about these beautiful structures when the Webster Museum welcomes Walworth Town Historian Gene Bavis on Sunday May 18 to talk about these remarkable structures, which are scattered throughout many towns and villages in Webster New York.
The talk begins at 2 p.m. at the Webster Museum. No registration is necessary and free refreshments will be provided.
Historic property plaque presentation
At the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday, May 15, the museum will be presenting a historic property plaque to the former Village train station.
National Preservation Month is a time when the museum celebrates those who have preserved historic houses, barns, outbuildings, bridges, statues and cemeteries. The museum has presented more than 80 plaques to the Webster properties that answer the question, “would the original owners recognize the property?” The plaque is a thank you from the Town of Webster and the Webster Museum for maintaining the integrity of the property. (There’s a map of these properties at Webstermuseum.org and paper maps available at the museum. The Historic Properties Committee of the museum is working on updating the map.)
The old train depot is now located on May St. and is a child care facility called Expressive Beginnings. The presentation will take place at the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday May 15 at 7 p.m.
Finally, while you’re out and about, stop by the museum to see their new exhibit highlighting many of Webster’s historic plaque properties with photos and descriptions. And if you’re at the Webster Public Library, check out the exhibit there featuring a model of a cobblestone house with other information on cobblestone construction.
The Webster Museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. They’re located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
Judging by how well my local history blogs are received, and the traffic I get to my Webster History Bits link, a LOT of you out there like to learn about Webster history. To you, I say, put this month’s History and a Cup series at the Webster Museum on your calendar.
Three programs have been scheduled, each one on a Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m. The focus of these programs is on oral history; long-time Webster residents tell their stories in a comfortable, give-and-take atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich and enjoy some soft drinks and cookies as they sit back and listen to the stories. There’s no charge for these events and registration is not needed.
Here’s the schedule:
Wednesday May 7:Jon Anderson and Bill Ruoff.
Jon and Bill are both graduates of Irondequoit High School who have lived in the Village of Webster for over 50 years. Both have been Village trustees, with Bill serving as Village Mayor. Jon is currently the Immanuel Lutheran Church Historian.
Wednesday May 14:John Gonzalez
John Gonzalez is married to Shari, daughter of Bruce and Mary Hegedorn, and has been actively involved in the Hegedorn family businesses for many years. John will share his experiences and what it was like working with Bruce Hegedorn and Bill Gray, who eventually became partners.
Wednesday May 21:Surprise guest! Stay tuned here and stay in touch with the Webster Museum website for more details.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
One of the benefits of being an entirely digital publication is that I can offer a rapid response for organizations who could use a hand getting the word out about an event or special offering. Today, I’m pleased to provide that service to two of my favorite local agencies, the Webster Comfort Care Home and the Webster Museum.
First, this extra shout-out for what promises to be a very fun evening of desserts and dancing.
The Webster Comfort Care Home is hosting an 80’s Prom and Dance Party on Saturday April 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shadow Lake Golf Club, 1850 Five Mile Line Rd.
This is a great opportunity to celebrate a night on the town with your special gal or guy, complete with appetizers, desserts, a basket raffle and 50/50 raffle. There’ll be contests for Best Dressed and Most Original, and the King and Queen of the Prom will be crowned. You can even pre-order a corsage or boutonniere from Kittleberger’s, which you can pick up when you get to the dance.
Live entertainment for the evening will be provided by Hall Pass and DJ Lesh.
You remember how much fun your prom was! How about re-living that carefree time? And if you didn’t get to go to your prom, here’s your chance! Tickets are $60 each or two for $100, and the first 20 guests get a VIP bag of goodies. You can also purchase a package of eight tickets for $450, which includes a beautifully decorated table reserved just for you and your friends, and eight drink tickets.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Let’s make this a huge success for the Comfort Care Home, because they do so much for our community. They rely on community support to fulfill its mission of providing free hospice care for our terminally ill Webster neighbors.
Next, the Webster Museum would like to remind you about all of the great educational opportunities that await you there for you and your children.
If you have never visited our Webster Museum, located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, you might not realize that — when you’re there — you can:
discover evidence that mammoths wandered your neighborhood thousands of years ago
experience math and reading lessons in a one-room schoolhouse
see stone tools and weapons designed b Native Americans who might have camped in your yard
stroll down a typical Main Street featuring businesses of the early 1900s
visit multiple displays and observe how our daily living has changed
Guided group tours are provided on request for teachers, parents and Scout leaders. The docents there are even prepared to adjust the tour to meet your curriculum goals. To schedule a tour, call Jill Kraft at 585 -507-1908 (for school and Scout tours) or Sharon Pratt at 585 -766-7101 (for adult tours).
Visit the Webster Museum website to find out more specific information about everything the museum has to offer, including examples of the exhibits. And remember that the exhibits change seasonally, so make sure to stop back often.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
webster on the web 