April 10, 2005
Varna: Then and Now
The Dryden Town Historical Society talked me into leading a presentation on Varna, which will be held next Sunday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Varna Community Center (map), and I'm hoping it will be similar to an event they held last year at Bethel Grove, both talking about the place and collecting more stories from the audience. There hasn't been much history written about Varna since George Goodrich in 1897, and I'd definitely like to hear from people who've spent more than my five years here.
The announcement looks like:
Varna: Then and Now, in the Heart of Downtown Varna and Beyond
Main Street, Varna (1897)An afternoon program recalling the history and changes in the Greater Varna community.
Simon St.Laurent and members of the community will use slides and personal accounts to illustrate activities in Varna and the surrounding area. Bring photos and memories to display and share.
April 17, 2005
Sunday Afternoon, 2-4 P.M.
Varna Community Center
943 Dryden Road, VarnaFree and open to all. Refreshments will be served.
Need a ride or more info? Have information to share? Call 844-4691.
I'm defining "Greater Varna" as roughly Route 366 from the Town of Ithaca line to the Route 13 intersection, as well as Freese Road, Forest Home Road to the Ithaca line, Turkey Hill Road to Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Game Farm and Stevenson Roads, and Mount Pleasant and Baker Hill Roads to their intersection. I'm planning to talk a bit about the development of the area from George Robertson's 1798 arrival in the vicinity of the current Plantation Inn to the present, noting industry, schools, businesses, and organizations along the way. I have some maps and photos to show, as well as a "Dynamic Detective" article on a 1930 murder in Varna and a 1962 article on the Taggin' Wagon, now Hillside Acres.
I'd also really like to see people bring their own history to the event. We'll have memories and a display on the Varna Home Bureau's activities, information on the Varna Community Association and Varna Volunteer Fire Company, and more. If you have something you'd particularly like to see or would like to talk about, let me know through the comment link below.
Posted by simonstl at April 10, 2005 05:15 PMNote on photos