Press Release:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Joseph Morelle today announced Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) was awarded a highly competitive $18,113,192 grant from the U.S Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Buses & Bus Facilities Grant Program to upgrade its hydrogen fuel cell electric bus facility and purchase three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, which will reduce air pollution from dirty diesel busses.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, the Rochester-Finger Lakes region is on the road to a cleaner air and more efficient and modern transit future. Rochester resident can breathe a little easier because this massive federal boost will not only help add three new clean hydrogen electric buses to the RGRTA fleet and upgrade its state-of-the-art operational hub, but also accelerate RGRTA to achieve a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2040,” said Senator Schumer. “The Rochester-Finger Lakes is already a global leader when it comes to clean Hydrogen thanks to Plug Power, and thanks to federal investments like this Rochester is leading the way to show how this technology can build a better and cleaner future for our communities. This funding will keep the wheels of our local economy rolling and put Rochester residents on the road to a smoother and cleaner commute.”

“This $18.1 million in federal funding is a major boost for RGRTA and its goal to have a fully zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. This federal investment will help bring critical upgrades to RGRTA’s electric bus facility and will add three new hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to its fleet, ensuring riders can have a cleaner commute,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This grant will boost the Rochester-Finger Lakes region’s public transportation and help Rochester remain a global leader in clean hydrogen technology.”

“Affordable, accessible, and climate-conscious transportation options are critical to supporting individuals and families and moving us closer to our green energy future,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “This new $18.1 million in federal funding for RGRTA will ensure Rochester continues to lead our country in clean energy technologies. Congratulations to RGRTA on this exciting award, and I look forward to continuing my work alongside my colleagues in the Senate and in the New York delegation to strengthen the future of our region.”

“On behalf of the RGRTA team and our customers, I thank Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Morelle for securing this critical grant funding to help us continue our transition to a zero-emission bus fleet,” said RGRTA CEO Miguel Velázquez. “The best way to achieve a successful transition is to ensure we have adequate funding to upgrade existing facilities, address new infrastructure needs, and purchase zero-emission vehicles. Thanks to the leadership of our Congressional delegation, this grant funding will help us take an important step forward.”

RGRTA will use the funding to upgrade their existing facilities to allow for the storage and maintenance of hydrogen fuel cell battery electric buses as well as the replacement of three diesel buses with zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.  The new hydrogen fuel cell buses will provide zero-emissions and with refueling time and driving distance range performance on par with diesel buses. The fueling time for hydrogen fuel cell buses is 6-12 minutes and even in the cold winter months, a fully fueled hydrogen fuel cell bus can travel 250-300 miles.

Schumer, Gillibrand, and Morelle have a long history of delivering the fed support needed to increase federal support to boost public transit in the Rochester-Finger Lakes. In 2022, the lawmakers delivered a whopping over $23 million for RGRTA to establish a new facility for their paratransit service RTS Access and launch a first of its kind Clean Hydrogen Fuel Cell pilot program which will be boosted further by the funding announced today. The reps also secured over $36.3 million for RGRTA through the CARES Act, over $23 million for transit in the Rochester region through the FY21 COVID Omnibus (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021), and an additional $45 million through the American Rescue Plan. Finally, in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act the senator was able to deliver an estimated $94.7 million for RGRTA over the next 5 years.

A copy of Schumer’s original letter to Secretary Buttigieg in support of the grant can be found below:

I am pleased to write in support of the grant application submitted by the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) to the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration’s Buses and Bus Facilities Grant program and the Low or No Emission Grant program.

With funding, RGRTA will make critical hydrogen related code compliance upgrades to RGRTA’s facilities and purchase three hydrogen fuel cell buses. RGRTA is working towards the goal of having a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2040. That goal will only be achieved if RGRTA receives the funding to purchase the vehicles and ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the proper fueling, maintenance, and storage of the zero-emission vehicles. This work includes making the required upgrades to existing RGRTA facilities.

I applaud the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority for its foresight in submitting this grant application and sincerely hope it is met with your approval. Thank you for your consideration.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors will consider an initial resolution for Graham Corporation’s proposed new commercial production facility at its board meeting on Thursday, July 11.

Graham Corporation is a global leader in the design and manufacture of mission critical fluid, power, heat transfer and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy, and process industries. The project would add to the company’s existing location in the city of Batavia where the company has been headquartered since 1942.

The $17.6 million proposed investment includes the construction of a 28,867 sq. ft. expansion intended to reduce design and manufacturing costs and improve shipping capabilities. The project would create 24 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions while retaining 367 current FTEs.

The initial resolution requests sales tax exemptions estimated at $383,546 and a property tax abatement estimated at $298,427 based on an incremental increase in assessed value totaling the proposed financial agreements to approximately $681,973. 

For every $1 of public benefit, Graham is investing $42 into the local economy resulting in a local economic impact of $19.5 million in wages and tax revenue. 

If the project application is accepted, a public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed project agreement in the city of Batavia. 

The July 11 GCEDC board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the MedTech Center’s Innovation Zone, 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia. Meeting materials and links to a live stream/on-demand recording of the meeting is available at www.gcedc.com.

Press Release:

Do you wish to support not-for-profit events? Do you like vendor craft shows and activities? Then why not take a short drive out to the country where you will find a gem of a gift shop nestled a short distance back off the road named Norton's Chizzelwood. 

On July 20 from 10 - 3 p.m., we will be hosting our inaugural outdoor Vendor/Craft Show with activities and fun for all!

Norton’s Chizzelwood, a popular craft store and gift shop, offers custom woodworking, woodcrafts, small cabinetry, outdoor poly furniture, Amish products, and hand-made items by us and local handcrafters.

Our Inaugural Coneflower Festival will have many vendors and crafters set up offering products such as jewelry, honey, woodcrafts, glassware, hand-sewn items, blacksmith wares with a full demonstration taking place during the event, Tupperware, and many other products. The Kidzone will include activities and games with a make-and-take craft for the little ones. Live alpacas will be on the premises, too!

This is a non-profit event with all vendor proceeds being donated to Crossroads House of Batavia. The Bethany Fire Department will be selling lunch that day with hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and soda and the Alexander Fire Department will be selling tickets for the Basket Raffle. 

All proceeds from these sales will be going directly to each fire department. Table registration fees are being donated to Crossroads House of Batavia. The Alzheimer’s Association will be on hand offering information.

So why not stop by on Saturday, July 20 from 10-3 pm at Norton’s Chizzelwood, 4309 Gilhooly Road, Alexander to support these agencies and thank them for their volunteerism, shop the gift store and visit the vendors on the grounds to purchase their goods.

Vendor applications are still being accepted; reserve your space now! To register, please contact Sue Bowman at 585-615-2726 or stop in at Norton’s Chizzelwood to fill out an application. Store hours are Tuesdays and Sundays by appointment, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 - 5 and Saturdays 10 - 2 p.m.

Press release from the National Weather Service for Wednesday:

Heavy rain from the tropical remnants of Beryl will soak the region today and tonight with rainfall amounts ranging from a half inch across the western Southern Tier and up to two inches across the lake plains from Buffalo to Rochester...to potentially more than three inches over the Eastern Lake Ontario region. This could lead to local flooding problems...particularly in urban areas and areas with elevated terrain.

Possibly a greater risk will come from strong thunderstorms that will develop this afternoon. While there will be tropical downpours and localized wind gusts to 40 mph...there will be an unusually elevated risk for tornadoes. The greatest risk for tornadic activity will be across the Finger Lakes region and parts of the western Southern Tier.

17 Hart Street, Batavia-City.  GREAT HOME. FANTASTIC LOCATION. BETTER PRICE!! SELDOM FOUND-FRONTAGE ON TWO STREETS! AWESOME LARGE YARD!! MINUTES WALK TO HOSPITAL, SCHOOL & BASEBALL STADIUM! This home is ready for someone new to move in and make their own. It offers super spacious downstairs with huge bright living room with gas fireplace, formal dining area, large kitchen and first floor den/bedroom, if you would need; currently used as rec/play room- with full bath attached and new sliding glass doors leading to back deck and awesome back yard! Upstairs has three more bedrooms and half bath. Upstairs bedrooms do have hardwoods, as well as primary bedroom has door leading to balcony porch for hot summer nites and firework watching!! Many updates to including year old furnace and central air, literally many new (days old) windows and sliding glass door! Back yard is best kept secret as it is extra deep(240') - going clear back to Douglas Street, with full frontage to !! Basement is extra large with some partially finished areas, for extra play/work areas! No delays here, come check it out and be home by Labor Day!! Call Reliant Real Estate today, call 585-344-HOME (4663).

Press Release:

The Elba Betterment Committee is pleased to announce the first of our 5 summer concerts in The Elba Village Park. 

On July 11, come on down and listen to Trolls 2.0. Calvin Nichols, of the original Trolls is back with 2 of his sons and a family friend to bring a variety of classic rock, alternative and pop with a little metal sprinkled in. There will be something for everyone!

Islands Hawaiian Grill, The Original Red Osier Restaurant, Ice Cream and Chill, and Circle B Winery will be providing food and beverages starting at 5:30. The music starts at 6:30, so come and pick out a good spot on the lawn to enjoy it all. 

The 50/50 raffle will benefit the Open Hearts Club Food Pantry at ECS. Please bring a non-perishable food or hygiene item to
support this cause.

All concerts are made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature and administered by GO Art.

You know you wanna be there!

Rick Mancuso is offering a reward for the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a stolen utility cart from outside T.F. Brown's in Batavia.

The person in the surveillance pictures is a suspect. 

Mancuso will pay the person who provides information leading to arrest and recovery either $75 cash or a $100 T.F. Brown's gift card.

To provide information in the case, call Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

It was hard enough for established businesses to remain open through the pandemic after COVID hit in 2020, so Market Manager Katy Hobbs is especially happy to be celebrating the continued success of Corfu Farmers Market, which dared to get going during that tumultuous time.

"It’s our fifth year this year, we started it in the pandemic in 2020,” Hobbs said during Monday’s opening night at the Corfu United Presbyterian Church, 63 Alleghany Road, Corfu. “It was a big feat because we had all the restrictions and everything, and it’s grown ever since.”

New this year, with the financial support of a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, is the 2024 Corfu Farmers Market Music Series, which features musicians Tim Wright on July 15, Southpaw Sal Aug. 12 and Sara Elizabeth on Aug. 19. 

“And so it's free for anybody to come and listen to and it's our way to bring the arts to our village,” Hobbs said. 

This year's market features new treats, including freeze-dried candies, Sugar Greens Farm maple products, and micro greens. It also features child-friendly activities such as a scavenger hunt, rock painting and carnival games. 

“We are still finalizing our community nights,” she said. “We have a lot of events that we normally kind of wrap up throughout the season.”

Corfu’s market is unlike any other since it’s on a Monday, which is what organizers were shooting for. They didn’t want to compete with others in the area, Hobbs said.

Monday's launch featured everything from honey, fresh yellow squash, zucchini and cucumbers to iced cut-out cookies, crunchy taco salad, microgreens and live musical entertainment from Buffalo artist Davey O.

“And it's really come to be a way for our community to come and gather, and everybody helps donate or support things in order to put it on,” Hobbs said. “And so we have our food trucks here. If it's a fair week, then our church does a hotdog and hamburger sale. So we always have a place for people to scoop up dinner as they do their daily shopping. 

"We do trivia on the last Monday of every month, and so we welcome all different families," she said. "We do two rounds of it. And we give away local prizes to our local businesses.”

The first trivia night is July 29. The market will be open every Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. until Sept. 23.

For more information about the market, go to www.corfuny.gov. 

Press Release:

Photos from Genesee County Spartans' 3-on-3 basketball tournament fundraiser on Saturday (July 6) at Ri-Dan’s Sports Park on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Twelve teams competed - six in the Youth Division and six in the Adult Division.

Press Release:

Robin Laney Ettinger, member of the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter, NSDAR, received First Place in the DAR New York State Fiber Arts competition: crochet category for the second time.

The 2024 theme was "Stars and Stripes Forever in Our Hearts through the Arts''. She crocheted a red, white, and blue shawl using a "sparkle" yarn in the style of "Crochet Filet," which throughout the rows of the shawl, heart motifs are crocheted using the stitch. The shawl represents Ettinger’s respect for the U.S. flag.

Robin’s crochet shawl was selected to represent the 121 chapters in New York State for the National Society (NSDAR) Heritage Committee Contest. Although she did not place in the national contest, she is pleased with the ultimate winning creations.

Robin learned how to crochet from her mother, a skill handed down to her from her grandmother. She is a member of the Prayer Shawl mission group at Northgate FMC which crochets shawls, face clothes, and scarves for local and world communities.

For more information on the NSDAR or if you are interested in joining, please visit DAR. org

Click here to see the listing of events!

Press Release:

The City of Batavia is a recipient of $1,153,534 to install sidewalk connecting the Jackson Street Elementary School with Batavia Middle School.  The award comes from Governor Kathy Hochul as part of a $97.7M Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.

TAP grants promote alternative, environmentally friendly modes of travel, such as walking, biking or riding mass transit. The funding supports initiatives that improve access to the transportation system for all users and advance New York State’s nation-leading agenda to fight climate change by constructing new sidewalks, shared use paths and other enhancements that facilitate the use of non-motorized modes of travel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"The City of Batavia continues to plan and pursue funding for sidewalk projects that promote walkability and healthy living across the City. The $1.1M will help to make needed improvements to the sidewalks on Swan, Ross and South Jackson Street.  Keeping sidewalks maintained, especially those on school routes, is beneficial to all our residents" said Eugene Jankowski Jr, City Council President.

The City of Batavia will install over 10,000 linear feet of sidewalks on South Swan, Swan, South Jackson and Ross Streets to connect Jackson Elementary School with Batavia Middle School.

The TAP grant program provides up to $5 million in grant funding for communities to implement alternative transportation projects, funding 80% of the total project cost.  The 20% local match is typically covered by CHIPS funding received from New York State to support continual street maintenance.

Currently the project estimates are being refined but the total project cost is estimated to be $1.4 million, making the City’s local match approximately $240,000.  The City can use CHIP’s funding in addition to other City funding as part of the City’s local match.  

“The corridor slated for improvement encompasses South Swan Street, Swan Street, South Jackson Street, and Ross Street. These upgrades aim to improve safety and mobility for school children, neighborhood residents, including many seniors, and businesses along the route. The proposed project will not only enhance handicapped accessibility but also increase walkability throughout the entire corridor. Additionally, it will establish a connection to previously TAP-funded sidewalk improvement projects along Washington Avenue, near Batavia Middle School,” said Batavia City Manager Rachael Tabelski. “We would like to thank Governor Hochul and our local state representatives for making this award possible.”

Press release:

Richmond Memorial Library will close at 1 pm on Monday, July 7 due to problems with the air conditioning system. 

Please check our website at batavialibrary.org for up to date information. 

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday & Tuesday, July 8 & 9, 2024 from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the general area of North of E. Main St. and East of Bank St. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected.  These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area.  As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored.  If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about 5 minutes or until clear.

This annual testing is essential to maintain the community class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city's water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settles in the water lines. Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel's knowledge of the hydrant locations. 

If you have any questions or should notice a hydrant needing repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

As organizers head into the 34th annual Oatka Festival, this year will bring a heartening measure meant to honor a former longtime parade chairman and add another layer of tradition for festivals to come.

There will be a new banner in memory of Robert “Sully” Sullivan, carried by his family members, as part of the walk from the American Legion to the front of the old high school and Trigon Park. The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in Le Roy.

“Sully made the parade a big deal because it starts off the festival, he really worked hard for people to come together and enjoy it,” Parade Chairman Scott Ripley said to The Batavian about the late Robert Sullivan. “He didn’t take any feedback, it was do it the Sully way … not telling anybody what to do until the day of the parade. When Sully said something, it was done and that’s the way it went.”

While that might sound like a stubborn leader, his system actually worked well, Ripley said, because telling groups where they were stationed ahead of time allowed them time to argue or debate, vying for different spots in the lineup.

Sullivan commanded a type of respect that participants honored throughout his two decades or so of being at the helm of the festival parade.

Sully was also a straight shooter; maybe that came from his days of coaching football. The banner was colored with black and red, “very basic,” event Chair Kate Flint said, as “he wasn’t very frilly, but he was very unique and genuine.”

“He was chairman from the very beginning until 2021,” Flint said. “He always wanted to throw the best and biggest parade ever.”

He was also a tad old-fashioned, eschewing texts for talking to people by phone to communicate. It was all for the greater good, Ripley said.

See Also: Old favorites, new twists and lots of food and fun at 34th annual Oatka Festival

“He started with the parade around 1990; he wanted to help the festival be the best it could be,” Ripley said. “He was with the Mighty St. Joe’s marching band, and he could get more bands.”

Sullivan was a longtime director of both St. Joe’s Drum & Bugle Corps and Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps and Drum Corps Associates Hall of Fame. His musical roots also traveled to Batavia, where he was a 1950 Batavia High School graduate and later a 2019 BHS Music Hall of Fame inductee.

Ripley caught Sully’s eye while serving as announcer for Le Roy’s Little League, and he was tapped to help out with the parade in 2018. He continued forward, taking on the chairman position a few years ago.

Sullivan died in May 2022, and Ripley has taken a page or two out of his success manual, adding on to this year’s parade with the Buffalo Bills official drumline DownBeat Percussion, lining up eight Genesee County bands and eight floats from Le Roy class reunions, from 1964 to 2004. 

Even unlikely participants have joined, such as car and gutter cleaning businesses, a roof siding establishment, Five Star Bank, and Geneseo Air Museum will have a replica airplane float.

Old favorites are returning, including the Shriners and their tiny cars, he said.

“I’m trying to make it so Sully would be proud,” Ripley said. 

While some events come and go, others such as the Oatka Festival just keep on returning — and growing — year after year. Spoiler alert: The array of edible treats this year has been significant enough to compete for event Chair Kate Flint’s attention.

“I’m so excited about the food,” Flint said during an interview with The Batavian. “We have 12 food vendors; we only had seven last year.”

Waffles are making a comeback, and there will be hotdogs, hamburgers, taffy, lemonade, cotton candy, french fries, Italian sausage, salt potatoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, beef on weck, pizza, bratwurst, funnel cakes, kettle corn, chicken barbecue, ice cream, bubble tea and baked goods.

This year's festival lands in Le Roy Saturday and Sunday.

See Also: Oatka Festival parade to include special banner to remember past chairman 'Sully'

Also new to accommodate this gastronomical bounty, organizers are carving out a food niche all its own so that all food vendors will be in one central area and not separated as in past years, she said. 

There are “a ton of arts and crafts vendors,” or more specifically, a respectable 79 vendors with everything from woodwork and jewelry to traditional crafts that make festival-shopping so much fun. 

The library will be running its annual book sale, and the local churches are collaborating for an ecumenical service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday under the big tent. That typically draws about 25 people, and Flint would “like to see it grow,” she said.

What’s her favorite part, aside from all of the flavorful treats?

“I just like watching it grow and the community come together and support it and it’s a fun weekend,” she said. “And all of the food vendors (mostly nonprofits) use it as a fundraiser, it’s usually their biggest fundraiser of the year.”

Last year was a learning curve for many first-time volunteers, she said, and now “everyone’s grown into their positions.” 

“I think it’s growing in the right direction. We’ve got a lot this year, and I think it can keep getting bigger each year,” she said. “I’m a transplant, from Pavilion, but I used to come to the festival as a kid, it has always been a great festival … I’d like to see it all the way up Main Street one day.”

Other festival activities include:

• The parade is set for 11 a.m. Saturday (see related article), and the car cruise is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday on Wolcott Street.
• Oatka Creek Children’s Fishing Derby is from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday for age groups from under 4, 4 to 6; 7 to 9; 10 to 12 and 13 to 15. Winners of each group and drawings will be announced at 1 p.m.
• Our Space Yoga & Wellness will be offering a yoga class at 9 a.m. Sunday.
• There will be a scavenger hunt — get a worksheet at the table next to the kids entertainment tent and find the nine images on your sheet around the kid’s areas on the festival grounds. Once you find a picture, write the password below the picture on the worksheet and return it to the table where you got it from. Winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. Saturday: two winners of age 8 and under and two 9 and above.

All of the bands are new, Flint said, and will be on the Main Stage and gazebo. 

The lineup for Saturday:

• Noon to 2 p.m. is Remedy Three on the main stage and Lambert-Iten at the gazebo
• 2 to 3 p.m. Funk Yard Brass Band on the Steps
• 3 to 5 p.m. Matt Seidel Band on the main stage and The Pearlz Band at the gazebo

On Sunday:

• 10 to 11 a.m. Knight n Gaels on the main stage and Swinging Knights at the gazebo
• Noon to 2 p.m. Grove Street on the main stage and Mood Swing Duo at the gazebo
• 2 to 3 p.m. Warren Paul on the steps
• 3 to 5 p.m. Batavia Swing Band on the main stage and Side Project at the gazebo

The children’s Free Play area will feature water and sand tables; bubbles and chalk; coloring, boondoggle, and bracelet making; yard games.

Kid events will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, including an inflatable obstacle course and bounce house, Mr. Scribbles, mini golf and the Free Play area. 

Face painting and hair tinsel will go from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and the scavenger hunt will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

As if that’s not enough, Mega Bubble Man is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m., Emmalee’s Memories Princess Show from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. and the Prehistoric World Reptile Show from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. all on Saturday.

Sunday will serve up The Art of Many from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 2 to 6 and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for ages 7 and up (pre-register for these); Cara Weinman is offering a dance/movement class from 1 to 1:30 p.m., Emmalee’s Memories superhero show from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. and a magic show from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Duck Pluck will return to the water this year, and that’s set for 5 p.m. Sunday.

Good news for all of you walkers and runners, the free Oatka 5K is back. It’s set for 8 a.m. Saturday.

For more information about these events, go to https://www.oatkafestival.org

There are many hidden treasures in Genesee County. One beautiful gem is the Historic Batavia Cemetery.    

If you travel slowly down Harvester Avenue, look at the first cemetery on the left going south. A wrought iron fence and trees surround the cemetery. It is the home of our early leaders and pioneers from this area.   

I would bring my fourth-grade students to this living history book every year to learn about their local history. We would visit the various stones, and I would explain their relevance to Batavia’s early history. I could not wait to show them Joseph Ellicott’s Monument. As my students would sit on the grass looking at The Ellicott Plot, I would have them turn around and look toward Harvester Avenue.   They would see nothing in front of this monument but a beautiful lane lined with trees over 100 years old. I would then tell them about this brilliant man and his family. 

If you wanted to buy land and settle in this region, you purchased your land from Joseph Ellicott, founder of Batavia. He was the first surveyor and local agent of the Holland Land Company. Joseph was entitled by his contract to select a piece of land for his residence and land office. He claimed the land on West Main Street, opposite Walnut Street. His land occupied the areas we know as Thomas Avenue, Porter Avenue, and Washington Avenue. 

In 1802, the east wing of Ellicott’s mansion was built as his residence. In 1815, the Holland Land Office was completed across the street from his mansion, which remains the Holland Land Office Museum today. 

In 1818, the three-story structure of his home was finished. It included a large main building with two wings and additions to the rear of his house.   Behind his home were a pasture, barn, and a large flower garden. If you were fortunate enough to be a guest in Joseph’s mansion, you would have dinner on blue and gold English china. If you were overnight guests, a bed warmer warmed your sheets. A bed warmer consisted of a metal container, usually fitted with a handle shaped like a modern frying pan, with a solid or finely perforated lid. The pan would be filled with hot coals and placed under the covers of a bed to warm it up. A servant would then run the bed warmer between the sheets to warm them.          

Please visit the Holland Land Office Museum and enter the room where Joseph sold land to our early settlers. The museum has Ellicott’s China, a bed warmer, and a cabinet donated by the Ellicott-Evans family. Also, stop by the Historic Batavia Cemetery and find Joseph’s monument and other famous Batavians resting on Harvester Avenue.