We are taking a brief break from the upcoming Civil War to determine what was going on in the typical month of January in Palmyra. One highlight was the completion of the Village Hall in January of 1868. Begun in the fall of 1866 with a plan already laid out for the width, use, and depth by building committee of A. Crandall and Carlton H. Rogers, the ideas were turned over to the architect, H. White from Syracuse. The building was three stories if you count the jail in the basement or two stories and a mezzanine. The post office was on the east side opposite the fire engine bay which was later switched. The “beautiful room” upstairs with the four grand stairways two in the back and two in the front was the auditorium and stage with a capacity for 800 people. For 144 years this building has served our village well.
Next we have the moving of the post office from the Village Hall in January of 1927 to the O. J. Garlock Building previously the Palmyra National Bank and the home of Pliny T. Sexton. Opening day was to be Jan. 15, 1927 under the watchful eye of Postmaster R. D. Sessions. In the guest book over 700 visited the post office in its new home on opening day.
In January of 1830 under the ownership of Luther Howard and Erastus Shepard the newspaper called the Western Spectator and the Anti–Masonic Star were published. This newspaper was merged with the Anti-Masonic Inquirer of Rochester shortly after. All of this Anti-Masonic activity was the result of what is called the Wm. Morgan incident. The presumed death of Wm. Morgan resulted from his threat to make public the secrets of Free Masonry.
By January of 1853 the Palmyra Courier had already gone through two owners and was bought by a third, B. C. Beebe who changed the name to the Palmyra Democrat which lasted less than one year when it became the Palmyra American. Finally Mr. Averill bought the paper in 1856 and returned the name to the Palmyra Courier.
Although not in Palmyra, this event is related to a major part of Palmyra’s history. On Jan. 9, 1854, Jenny Jerome was born in Brooklyn to parents Leonard and Clarissa Hall Jerome. The Jerome’s were married right in Palmyra, in the Western Presbyterian Church at the corner of E. Main and Church Streets. The year was 1849 and Clarissa Hall had been orphaned since 1828, young Leonard had been working for his Uncle H. K. Jerome. They began their life on Canal Street in this small village. The Jerome’s later moved to Rochester and finally New York City. Jenny would be the wife of Lord Randolph Churchill and the mother of Sir Winston Churchill. Finally to end this great story, on Jan. 24, 1965 the Man of the 20th Century Prime Minister of England, leader in WWII, author, statesman, artist, and humorist Sir Winston Churchill died. Remember the museums are open Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. call at 597-6981 for information and special tours.
We are taking a brief break from the upcoming Civil War to determine what was going on in the typical month of January in Palmyra. One highlight was the completion of the Village Hall in January of 1868. Begun in the fall of 1866 with a plan already laid out for the width, use, and depth by building committee of A. Crandall and Carlton H. Rogers, the ideas were turned over to the architect, H. White from Syracuse. The building was three stories if you count the jail in the basement or two stories and a mezzanine. The post office was on the east side opposite the fire engine bay which was later switched. The “beautiful room” upstairs with the four grand stairways two in the back and two in the front was the auditorium and stage with a capacity for 800 people. For 144 years this building has served our village well.
Next we have the moving of the post office from the Village Hall in January of 1927 to the O. J. Garlock Building previously the Palmyra National Bank and the home of Pliny T. Sexton. Opening day was to be Jan. 15, 1927 under the watchful eye of Postmaster R. D. Sessions. In the guest book over 700 visited the post office in its new home on opening day.
In January of 1830 under the ownership of Luther Howard and Erastus Shepard the newspaper called the Western Spectator and the Anti–Masonic Star were published. This newspaper was merged with the Anti-Masonic Inquirer of Rochester shortly after. All of this Anti-Masonic activity was the result of what is called the Wm. Morgan incident. The presumed death of Wm. Morgan resulted from his threat to make public the secrets of Free Masonry.
By January of 1853 the Palmyra Courier had already gone through two owners and was bought by a third, B. C. Beebe who changed the name to the Palmyra Democrat which lasted less than one year when it became the Palmyra American. Finally Mr. Averill bought the paper in 1856 and returned the name to the Palmyra Courier.
Although not in Palmyra, this event is related to a major part of Palmyra’s history. On Jan. 9, 1854, Jenny Jerome was born in Brooklyn to parents Leonard and Clarissa Hall Jerome. The Jerome’s were married right in Palmyra, in the Western Presbyterian Church at the corner of E. Main and Church Streets. The year was 1849 and Clarissa Hall had been orphaned since 1828, young Leonard had been working for his Uncle H. K. Jerome. They began their life on Canal Street in this small village. The Jerome’s later moved to Rochester and finally New York City. Jenny would be the wife of Lord Randolph Churchill and the mother of Sir Winston Churchill. Finally to end this great story, on Jan. 24, 1965 the Man of the 20th Century Prime Minister of England, leader in WWII, author, statesman, artist, and humorist Sir Winston Churchill died. Remember the museums are open Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. call at 597-6981 for information and special tours.
