From time to time, we are able to record and share some of the very special presentations that are made to us. Here are a few…visit our YouTube channel for more:
Archive of our April 3, 2025 Presentation: Honeoye Falls Musings with Muffy Meisenzahl
The April 3rd, 2025 meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Muffy Meisenzahl, whose topic was “Honeoye Falls Musings with Muffy Meisenzahl.”
This was a loose, unscripted and interactive session with our audience that featured Muffy telling stories from the Village and Town in years past, pulling from her vast connections throughout our community.
Mary Louise “Muffy” Meisenzahl has dedicated over three decades to public service, leaving an indelible mark on Monroe County and beyond. Known for her unwavering commitment, Muffy’s career spans a range of impactful roles that highlight her leadership, innovation, and deep sense of community.
A resident of Honeoye Falls, Muffy began her public service journey as a village trustee before serving as Mayor of Honeoye Falls from 1981 to 1990. Her dedication to her hometown set the stage for a distinguished career in emergency management and public safety.
In 1992, Muffy became the Administrator of Monroe County’s Office of Emergency Management, where she remained for 19 years. Prior to this role, she served as a 911 program analyst for four years. Under her guidance, the county developed a state-of-the-art program area within the Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility, which continues to serve as a model for counties across the nation.
Muffy’s leadership extended beyond Monroe County, as she served as President of the Emergency Managers Association of Western New York. She is recognized statewide and regionally as a leader among her peers in public safety. Her expertise and dedication earned her certification as a Certified Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Education from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Public Administration from SUNY Brockport. Muffy also shares her knowledge as a member of the adjunct faculty at Monroe Community College, teaching in the Public Safety Training Center and the Law and Criminal Justice Department.
Throughout her career, Muffy has been celebrated for her keen sense of duty, her ability to address complex challenges with empathy, and her loyalty to the communities she served. She has earned the admiration and affection of her colleagues, who regard her as a true asset to public service.
Archive of our March 6, 2025 Presentation: Spiritualism
The March 6th meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Jack Kowiak, whose topic was “Spiritualism.”
The story of Spiritualist Movement began long before the Fox Sisters and continued long after it. It was the fastest growing belief system in America in the mid-19th century. The story of its rapid growth and eventual decline contains some fascinating twists and turns. Meet some spirits and have some fun in this interesting trip into our history.
Jack Kowiak is a retired market research manager from Eastman Kodak who enjoys researching and presenting material that he finds interesting. Jack speaks on a variety of topics to numerous organizations in the Rochester area. In addition, he teaches regular classes at the Penfield Recreation Center. Jack’s goal is to present programs that both educate and entertain.
Archive of our March 1, 2001 Presentation: Erie Canal Legacy
The March 1, 2001 meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Andy Olenick & Richard Reisem, whose topic was based on their book: “Erie Canal Legacy: Architectural Treasures of the Empire State.”
Andy Olenick is a professional photographer and his studio, Fotowerks, Ltd., is located in Rochester. Since graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, he has been fulfilling assignments nationally in commercial magazines, corporate, and industrial photography including illustration, annual reports, advertising, and architecture. He is best know for his books documenting New York’s architectural heritage, including 200 Years of Rochester Architecture and Gardens and Classic Buffalo.
Richard Reisem has written seven books since retiring from Eastman Kodak Company’s Communications and Public Affairs Division in 1986. He graduated from Iowa State University with major studies in architecture, history and journalism. His 31-year career at Eastman Kodak Company included speechwriting for six of the company’s CEOs. His previous books include 200 Years of Rochester Architecture and Gardens and Classic Buffalo.
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 9
This is the ninth in a series of tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 9 contains another interview with Arthur Powell, former Mendon Town Assessor. It is undated. Most of this interview is about Mendon Ponds Park.
Archive of our February 6, 2025 Presentation: Remembering Frederick and Anna Douglass
The February 6th 2025 meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Rose O’Keefe, Author/Local Historian, whose topic was “Remembering Frederick and Anna Douglass.”
This PowerPoint presentation follows Frederick and Anna’s lives from rural Maryland, to Baltimore, Massachusetts, Rochester and Washington D.C. and their final resting place in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. Colorful slides highlight their early years and recent events to honor their legacy.
Rose O’Keefe is the author of six non-fiction history books: Rochester’s South Wedge, Revisited; All Rights for All: Working for Justice; Frederick and Anna Douglass in Rochester, New York; Historic Genesee Country; Southeast Rochester; and Rochester’s South Wedge. Special Delivery: From One Stop to Another on the Underground Railroad, is historical fiction.
In her book, Frederick and Anna Douglass in Rochester, New York: Their Home Was Open to All, (2013) Rose promoted the family life of a famous man. This original work was recognized by noted Douglass scholar Celeste-Marie Bernier, and Dr. Ka’mal McClarin Ph.D., executive director at Frederick Douglass National Park in Cedar Hill, Washington D.C.
Rose grew up outside of New York City and moved to Rochester after graduating from SUNY Potsdam. She became intrigued with the Douglass family’s daily life in Rochester from 1847 to 1872.
O’Keefe is an author, blogger and speaker. She is a member of Rochester Area Children’s Writers & Illustrators, the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, and Toastmasters International’s Frederick Douglass Club #6898.
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 8
This is the eighth in a series of tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 8 contains a recording of Charles H.“Chuck” Meisenzahl – “Coach” of Honeoye Falls.
This is a short history of the local Rotary, recorded in January, 2002. Chuck was a member of the Honeoye Falls-Mendon Rotary Club for over 53 years. He was recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International; whose motto is “Service Above Self,” something Chuck practiced everyday. He served as Club President in 1977, was past Secretary and was a committee member for Citizen of the Year. Coach led the leadership team for many Rotary-sponsored local community projects, including tree planting, Senior Citizen housing projects vegetable garden, the Antique Car Show to name a few. In the 1980s, he organized what is now known as the “Honeoye Falls-Mendon & Lima Community Golf Tournament.”
Archive of our January 9, 2025 Presentation: Preserving Family Photos & Heirlooms
The January 9th 2025 meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Kate Jacus, whose topic was “Preserving Family Photos & Heirlooms.”
Not sure where to start organizing and preserving your photos and family heirlooms? In this presentation, Kate discusses a framework for your preservation project that can help break it into manageable sections. You’ll also learn about the science behind archival storage materials and explore options for storing photographs, negatives, slides, family documents, and common family heirlooms.
Kate is the Preservation Specialist for Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York, conducting preservation needs assessments and educational programs for libraries and archival repositories in New York State. She also provides photo organizing and collections management services to families through her business, The Photo Curator. Previously, she was the Marketing Coordinator for Archival Methods, a supplier of archival storage and presentation supplies. Her past museum work includes Collections Manager at The Strong in Rochester, NY and Membership Assistant at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Kate lives in Brighton with her family.
Resources for photo preservation info:
- Photo and Family Heirloom Preservation Guide (Archival Methods): https://bit.ly/PhotoPreservationGuide
- Archival Methods blog: https://archivalmethods.com/blog
- Save Your Photos Month, with free online classes from The Photo Managers: https://saveyourphotos.org
Two options for paid, private cloud storage – no data mining/advertising:
- Forever, also includes the option for digitization services: https://forever.com
- Permanent, a mission-driven cultural heritage nonprofit: https://permanent.org
Already have photos stored online?
- My Family Archive, consolidates memories stored in other internet locations (i.e., Google Photos, iCloud, Facebook, Dropbox, etc.) into one family archive: https://MyFamilyArchive.com
Collecting family stories:
- Artifcts – Keep track of your heirlooms, add the stories, and what to do with them next so you can declutter and organize the ‘stuff’ and the memories: https://artifcts.com
Remento – sends weekly prompts for recording stories and turns spoken words into a keepsake book: https://remento.com
Storyworth – answer weekly prompts to write your story; turned into a hardcover book: https://storyworth.com
Helpful blog post: Six Easy Steps to Collect Family Stories to Enrich Your Genealogy: https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/gather-family-stories
Sample questions: 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History: https://www.thoughtco.com/fifty-questions-for-family-history-interviews-1420705
Online backup service:
- Backblaze – unlimited online backup for desktops and laptops: https://backblaze.com
A/V digitization:
- Media Transfer Service – in East Rochester – https://mediatransferservice.com
- https://archivalmethods.com/ – Rochester-based, can pick up orders at their warehouse
- https://gaylord.com/
- https://universityproducts.com/
- https://printfile.com/
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 7
This is the seventh in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 7 contains an interview with Arthur Powell, Rochester Junction Stars Baseball Player. It is undated. There was significant noise on the original tape, which was digitally reduced. There was also a segment that was recorded at half-speed, which had to be pitch- and speed-adjusted. What you are listening to has been carefully reviewed, and is considerably more intelligible than the unedited original.
Don Thorpe Interview by David Albright – 2006
David Albright Interviews Don Thorpe for a 2006 class project. Don was a WWII Vet who lived in Honeoye Falls.
Discover Honeoye Falls: 200 Years of Historic Architecture
A meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society on Thursday, April 3, 2008 featuring Cynthia Hawk, Architectural Research Coordinator, The Landmark Society of Western New York. (Introduction by President Barry Quinn.)
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 6
This is the sixth in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 6 contains “Interviews with Carl Shuart.” This was recorded Aug 2 (no year) at Mrs. Kreiger’s home (pictured as of 2024) in Honeoye Falls by Katherine W. Thompson, Monroe County Historian’s Office.
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 5
This is the fifth in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 5 contains a Historical Society meeting from October, 1972 with the Mendon & Honeoye Falls Fire Departments.
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 4
This is the fourth in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 4 contains a planning discussion, presumably prior to the 1963 Sesquicentennial, with folks from the Historical Society discussing plans for the upcoming celebration, which was held from August 14–August 18, 1963.
“Mark Twain and the Civil War,” Presented by Rosemary Irwin
The January 4, 2024 meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Rosemary Irwin, whose topic was “Mark Twain and the Civil War.” This is a recording of that presentation, which was held on Zoom.
To this day, US casualties in the Civil War have exceeded those of all the wars our nation has known. Young men in America would have been on the Rebel Side, the Union side, or might have escaped the battles and lived the Gold Rush reality of the Western settlers. Mark Twain once boasted: “I am not an American; I am THE American.” Arguably he was at different times rebel, union, and Gold Rush Westerner. Much of the way we see the Civil War is directly related to Mark Twain—from Huckleberry Finn to his publishing of the Ulysses S. Grant’s war memoir.
Rosemary Irwin lectures throughout our local area on topics as varied as health care, history, art, and technology. She has also facilitated classes created by Harvard, Stanford, and Humanities New York, translating complex material into lively non-academic discussions. Since 2012, her mission has been “to give lifetime learners a reason to be in the room.”
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 3
This is the third in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 3 features several people discussing local history and events in celebration of Nellie Thompson’s 89th Birthday celebration on December 9th, 1959. There is some fun group singing that starts around 53 minutes in. Otherwise, this is a general historical talk about our area.
Memories of Honeoye Falls – A Conversation With Henry ‘Hank’ Besanceney
The October 5, 2023 meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society featured Henry “Hank” Besanceney, Artist/Barber/Village Resident.
This was a very special evening of conversation and stories relating to the history of Honeoye Falls.
A long-time resident of Honeoye Falls, Hank is best known locally as the Village Barber. A history buff, he has studied local history and served on the Planning and Zoning Boards in the Village for two decades. Hank is also a self-taught, award-winning artist who has been a member of several local art groups, including the Pastel Society of Western New York. As a member of the highly regarded Societe de Pastel de l’est du Canada, he was honored when his paintings were accepted for international exhibit in Montreal, Canada, in every year his works were submitted. Hank enjoys discussions about art, art history, wine, and of course, local history.
The meeting took place at 7:30 PM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Mendon Community Center, 167 North Main Street in Honeoye Falls, NY.
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 2
This is the second in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 2 features several people reading prepared local history notes. Probably mid to late 1950s. Note at about 31:40, you can hear the Lehigh Valley Railroad whistling for the grade crossing and quickly passing by the building they are speaking in.
Reel-to-Reel History: Tape 1
This is the first in a series of reel-to-reel tapes from our archives that we have had digitized.
Tape 1 features a woman reading a local history paper, answering questions, and telling of old local history. Probably mid to late 1950s.
Archive of our October 7, 2022 Presentation: How (and What) Forged Our Major Roads
Where did our roads come from? How did they get there? Most importantly, why did they get there? You may think our major highways appeared randomly through the good graces of the New York State Department of Transportation (which an assist from the many community Highway Departments they traverse through). But you’d be wrong. There was no central planning. But their formation wasn’t random, either. What was that forged and maintained these thoroughfares we take for granted today? Come learn how both nature and man — from the Ice Age to the Mastodons — worked in tandem to create the much-traveled highways and byways that cross the Greater Western New York Region.
View the video at https://stateof.greaterwesternnewyork.com/2022/10/new-york-states-state-road-before-it-was-a-road/
Archive of our January 6, 2022 Presentation: Genesee Wesleyan Seminary/Elim Bible Institute
Hosted by Doug Morgan, Former Lima Town/Village Historian
The January 6, 2022 meeting of the Honeoye Falls / Mendon Historical Society was a virtual meeting on Zoom. Our speaker was Douglas (Doug) Morgan. Doug Morgan, a former member of our society and former member of our Board of Trustees, was the Lima Town/Village Historian before he and his wife left Mendon for the sunny climes of Florida. Doug is a Life Member of the Livingston County Historical Society as well as several other area historical societies. He has researched Livingston County and Western New York history for over thirty years, with a particular interest in his hometown of Lima.
Doug’s presentation provided an overview of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary / Elim Bible Institute from its earliest years to the present-day using photographs – both old and new.
You may peruse the photographs on https://www.flickr.com/photos/douglas_morgan/albums/72177720318421932/.
