TOWN HISTORY & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Early Rushford
It is not known how the name Rushford was
decided on. Perhaps from rushes that grew along the river of from a
well known lawyer whose surname was Rush. The first Annual Town meeting
was held in April 1816 at the house of Benjamin Levi. The 1817 Annual
Meeting was to be held at Sampson Hardy's house, who the Minute book
states was an Innkeeper. Education was important and a large number of
district schools were located throughout the Town. In addition, the
Rushford Academy for higher learning was built in 1851. The Rushford
Band which still exists today began in 1857 at a Rushford singing and
instrumental school. The Town of Rushford was well known for its many
industries such as cheese factories and a woolen factory. Fires
destroyed many of these wooden structures. Laying out of roads was a
vital part of the new Town and many of those road surveys still exist.
Town of Rushford
The Town of Rushford is located among the
hills, plateaus, and valleys of northwestern Allegany County - along the
border with Cattaraugus County. The unincorporated Village of Rushford
is in the center of the Town, just off New York State Route 243, which
crosses the Town from east to northwest. The attractive Town Hall with
the bandstand out in front is located on picturesque Main Street in the
Village. Beautiful Rushford Lake, a man-made lake, was created in 1926
with the construction of Caneadea Dam. The Town has done much to
preserve its history including the Rushford Museum, the Historian's
large collection of records, restoration of old school buildings, and
the new records vault in the Town Hall.
Rushford Historical Society
Sesquicentennial in 1958, with Mildred Falsion as President, Margaret
Russell and Vice President, and Lillian Foster as Secretary. Helen Lewis
was member at-large. From these women the Society has grown to its
present size.
The Museum building was the old Town hall and
Fire Department prior the building of the present Town Hall in 1950. In
fact, the old Town Board Room is still intact along with the Justice
area and his law library. This was deeded to the Society to be used as a
museum for local history. It presently has the first floor with several
sections including a veteran's area, Rushford Central School area, old
dentist and doctor's office and barber shop, complete with mugs. There
are several other artifacts in this area. In the Back Room is the
Agricultural Area with changing exhibits. On the second floor there is a
Victoria bed room and living room, Town Board Room and early kitchen. In
another area is the Band Room, which was funded and furnished by the
Rushford Cornet Band. This room is open to the public when the Museum is
open.
After several years the Red School House on
Lewellen Street was purchased by the Society in the 70's. Originally
built as the first frame school in Allegany County, was a public school,
private "select" school and then a private residence. After obtaining
the building it was returned to its original state. It's set up today as
a school would have look in the 19th Century. All renovations the structure has been
with rough cut lumber to match its original framing. In the fall of
2007, it was used by the Home School Association as part of Early
American studies, complete with period custom and books.
In 2002 Ron Beverly donated the Blacksmith
Shop to the Historical Society with the provision that it be used as a
blacksmith shop. The Shop was built in 1908 and has been returned to its
original dimensions.
The Rushford Grange donated their building in
the fall of 2010 to the Rushford Historical Society. The building built
in 1842 was originally a Presbyterian Church. The church closed in 1980
and was used as a meeting place for the Rushford Agricultural Society.
In the early 1900s the Rushford Grange was formed and was active in the
community until the 2000s. Since becoming part of the Historical
Buildings, a new roof has been installed and the lower level totally
renovated. In 2011, insulating windows and a new high-efficient furnace
was installed. The lower level is used for meetings and dinners. In
addition, family reunions and civic meetings are held there where the
kitchen facilities are available. The upstairs auditorium area is used
by groups for church service and other events. The building is available
for community use, for which donations are accepted.
In addition to its regular meetings,
the Rushford Historical Society sponsors the Rushford Memorial Day
Program and annual chicken BBQ after the services. The Historical
Society also has the Ice Cream Stand open on the Labor Day grounds
during Labor Day Celebrations. The Historical Society Museum is usually
open prior to the band concerts on Saturdays during the summer.
Also open from 10-1PM on Labor Day. It can be open other times by
appointment - Call 585-437-2960 or 585-437-5268.
The Rushford Historical Society meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at
the Rushford Grange at 7 PM. The public is always welcome and
membership is not required. Membership is $5 per person per year. We
are a small group and encourage new members/participants in order to
continue.
Further information may be obtained by calling
(585) 437-5268. To view the Historical Society brochure, CLICK
HERE.