East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 16) 16 Continued from page 14 rejected his name in favor of “Aurora.” The museum timeline chronicles the many establishments that began opening in the growing town: a sawmill, gristmill, the first school, a general store, several places of worship and even a hotel and train station. Fascinating artifacts from these early years are on display. From 1826–1830, a small town lawyer named Millard Fillmore practiced his trade on Main Street. He would one day become the 13th president of the United States. In that same decade, Buffalo was fast becoming a pillar of the American economy. The city boomed when it became the terminus for the Erie Canal. It was soon a major port and gateway to the American West. As Buffalo’s fortune’s went, so went the Town of Aurora’s. Agriculture, grain and lumber made for a respectable standard of living. In short order, the town had become a thriving community. Nearing the turn of the 20th century, the timeline introduces Aurora’s rich equine history. The Jewett family’s mile-long covered racetrack was erected in 1885, a spectacle without compare. This exhibit features a variety of original barbed-wire samples as well as a veterinary medicine kit. All of Aurora’s history to this point was likely enough to keep it on the map. But in 1895, Elbert Hubbard removed all doubt with the establishment of the Roycroft community. The Arts and Crafts Movement brought new socioeconomic status to the town. For that reason, it has its own dedicated museum in the village. The Roycrofters are certainly recognized in the Town of Aurora Museum, but the most compelling artifacts aren’t traditional exhibits. They’re gorgeous, 100 percent authentic chunks of original Roycroft furniture still used in the meeting room. Go sit on one of the chairs, lean on a table and see the detail of a genuine Roycroft logo for yourself. Even if you’re pressed for time, Roycroft artisan Sandor Landeau’s “Prayer for the Lost at Sea” justifies a cursory stroll through the museum. This painting’s impressive scale captures the anguish of sailors’ families praying for those lost at sea. With an abundance of local history, the Town of Aurora has a strong group of preservation-minded residents. Working with the town historian, the Aurora Historical Society helps support the exhibits at two other museums as well. The Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum is the holy grail for fans of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The Millard Fillmore House, as the name suggests, is where the future U.S. president spent his time when he lived in the town (interestingly, the house was originally situated on Main Street before being relocated to Shearer Avenue). Aurora isn’t alone in her enthusiasm. The adjacent towns of Marilla, Colden, Elma, Holland and Wales all have independent historical societies (and because of a little-known state law, they have their own official historians as well). The Town of Aurora Museum is open to the public during Town Hall’s regular business hours. Since the museum shares the meeting room with other activities, it’s a good idea to call before visiting. AURORA TOWN HALL AND MUSEUM 5 South Grove St. East Aurora, N.Y. 14052 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Phone: (716) 652-3280 History s Helpers local historians educate, preserve If you live in the Empire State, there’s a historian at your service. That’s because all jurisdictions in New York — some 1,600 municipalities, counties and boroughs — are required to provide a local historian. This so-called “Historian’s Law” of 1919 was the first of its kind. Rob Goller, Town of Aurora Historian, clearly respects his office. “I’ve got to be the youngest ever,” muses the 31-yearold. “It’s usually someone older, like a retired person working from home.” Goller has the luxury of a workstation, since he’s also secretary to Town Supervisor Terence Yarnall. “I’ve always loved history, which I studied at Geneseo. So when the historian’s position became available, I applied for it and was appointed.” Aurora’s neo-historian benefits from the wise counsel of his predecessor, Donald Dayer. There’s also a publication that provides some direction. Goller consults a dense binder with a tongue-in-cheek title: But What Am I Supposed to Do? A Handbook for New York State’s Local Historians. It provides a rough sketch of his duties, such as preserving artifacts and promoting tourism. Goller’s chief responsibility, however, is to educate the community about its past. He enjoys speaking to students about the town’s diverse heritage. With the help of dedicated volunteers, folders are maintained on all of Aurora’s prominent families. “The Historian’s Office is here for research purposes,” says Goller. “Some of this stuff is priceless to the people who come in. One woman’s jaw dropped when she saw how much information we had on her family.” , Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 1) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 2) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 3) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 4) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 5) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 6) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 7) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 8) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 9) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 10) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 11) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 12) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 13) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 14) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 15) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 16) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 17) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 18) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 19) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 20) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 21) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 22) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 23) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 24) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 25) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 26) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 27) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 28) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 29) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 30) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 31) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 32) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 33) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 34) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 35) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 36) http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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