Historical Association of Lewiston announces trio of programs

Mark your calendar for the three special events coming to Lewiston, as the Historical Association of Lewiston continues its quest to share Lewiston’s unique history and offer great education and entertainment to citizens.

•The first event is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, in the Lewiston Public Library and is free to all to attend. In 1885, the Porter family of Niagara Falls – owners of much of the land surrounding Niagara Falls – commissioned a fabulous painting of the great cataract from renowned artist D.C. Febronius. The painting was recently donated to HAL, and subsequently restored.

On Thursday, volunteers will place the painting on public display in the library for all to enjoy. Guests also will learn about the Porter family, thanks to Michelle Kratz. Once the painting is unveiled, learn about the painstaking process of its full restoration from Gabrielle Dunn of unDunn Art in Buffalo.

Light refreshments will be served.

•HAL’s second annual historic motor coach tour will depart Lewiston around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. This year, participants are venturing to Genesee Country Village, the largest “working museum” in New York.

HAL officials said, “We will enjoy a fabulous motor coach trip directly to the village and, when we arrive, will enjoy a docent-led trolley orientation tour throughout the 20-acre site. Following that, you may roam, as you will, the venue, seeing genuine 18th and 19th century buildings collected from across central New York. Many of them will have authentic costumed reenactors performing period-appropriate activities and telling about life on the frontier.

“We will have lunch together with food prepared and served with authentic 18th century style. Following more time on your own, we will return to Lewiston around 6 p.m.

“Come, relax, laugh, enjoy and learn about what life was like in Lewiston in the 1790-1830 period. The entire day costs only $95 per person.”

•Then, at 1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 13, HAL will gather at the now-famous Freedom Crossing monument at the foot of Center Street to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its dedication. The occasion will be made more special as members gather and thank those who were involved in the monument’s funding, design, construction and installation.

HAL said, “We will acknowledge Izzy Bleckman who has created a wonderful video history of its creation and the amazing stories of many of the run-away slaves who passed through our area. ‘Risking Everything’ has just been accepted into the Niagara International Film Festival, to be held in Niagara Falls, New York, in September. The amazing chorale who provided the background music for ‘Risking Everything’ will sing at the commemoration ceremony and then hold a community concert at the “Old Stone Church” portion of the Lewiston Presbyterian Church.”

To reserve a place at one or all of these events, call the Lewiston Museum at 716-754-4214 (1-5 p.m. weekdays).