May 2023 Meeting: Mr. Letchworth’s Vision: The History of Letchworth State Park

The May 4th meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society will feature Karen Russell, Historic Site Assistant, Letchworth State Park.

The topic of Karen’s talk will be “Mr. Letchworth’s Vision: The History of Letchworth State Park.” Letchworth State Park was voted #1 State Park in the nation for a reason. Stretching for 17 miles along the dynamic Genesee River, the Park includes acre after acre of magnificent forest, spectacular scenery, and a wide variety of recreational facilities. But the Letchworth story is more than just that. Two Hundred Years ago this month, on May 26th, 1823, William Pryor Letchworth was born. His vision for the development and character of Letchworth State Park is a fascinating tale of the land, a man, and his Park.

Karen Russell is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, majoring in Anthropology/Archaeology. She started as a volunteer in the History Interpretive Department at Letchworth State Park almost 10 years ago reading correspondence to and from Wm. Pryor Letchworth. Soon, she was hired as a seasonal employee, and is now Letchworth Park’s full-time Historic Site Assistant. Karen helps to oversee the Museum and other historic sites in the park like the Council Grounds. She also handles research requests from students, academics, authors, and collaborates with local historians like Tom Cook of the Nunda Historical Society. Her favorite titles, however, are Sweetie to her husband, and Mom and Gramma to her 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the Mendon Community Center, 167 North Main Street in Honeoye Falls. This facility is handicapped accessible. The meeting is open to the public.

For information, call 624-5655.