While no fans of the Downton Abbey series are pleased that March 6 will be its final episode, they will mark the end of the popular PBS program at a special tea on Saturday, March 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Royalton Hartland Community Library, 9 S. Vernon Street in Middleport. Not only will there be tea and treats at this celebration, but attendees can also discuss the award-winning 6 season series that spanned 12 years of drama centered on the Grantham family living on a great English estate during the beginning of a vanishing way of life. Downton Abbey enthusiasts are sure to have all sorts of fun chatting about the witty and biting lines delivered by Maggie Smith, the Dowager Duchess, More Info »
Read moreAuthor: Christa Lutz
New DVDs at the library include Downton Abbey Season 6
New DVDs are always being added to the collection at the Royalton Hartland Community Library. We have added these DVDs to our collection: Downton Abbey Season 6 DVD “Somewhere Only We Know” by Barbara Freethy “Finding His Way Home” by Mia Ross “The Restoration” by Wanda Brunstetter Stop by to browse our collection and take our your DVDs home to watch. You can also get information about Hoopla, a new and free digital services that allows you to download 8 books, audiobooks, music albums, TV shows or movies to your devices each month!
Read moreRHBPA Annual Holiday Dinner at Mr. Bond’s Diner
Members of the RHBPA enjoyed a great annual Holiday Dinner at Mr. Bond’s Diner, 12 Main Street in Middleport, a new restaurant that recently opened up in the Village. A brief business meeting was conducted and a short program was also presented. The cost was $10 for members and $20 for guests. Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal, fellowship and the opportunity to network with our local membership!
Read moreMyrtle Lewis Wilmot, local artist and philanthropist
Myrtle Lewis Wilmot was the daughter of Middleport residents and inventor Elgie J. Lewis and his wife, May Bathrick Lewis. Born in 1888, she attended Middleport High School from where she graduated in 1904 and then went on to study music at the Julliard School of Music in New York City. She and her husband, Arthur M. Wilmot lived most of their married life here on Terry Street and were active members of the Universalist Church and many other civic organizations. In a newspaper article from 1972, Mrs. Wilmot was quoted that she took up painting when a local art class needed new members. She had never had any formal training but often admired scenes, thinking they might make a good picture. She would spend More Info »
Read moreMiddleport Businesses on Display
Currently on display in the village hall board room are items from various businesses that were a part of the Middleport community many years ago. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and check out the photos and memorabilia from places like Smiler’s( more recently known as J and J Coffee Shop), Snell Hardware, Max Hyde Implements, Perfecto Cleaners, Lahey’s, Richardson and Knuebel Funeral Home, Harpuder’s Clothing and Braddock’s Meat Market. Since many of these names are no longer part of our business community, you might enjoy stopping by on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 10 and 3 to learn a little about the history of these businesses. Richard Maedl of Maedl Woodcrafts generously donated his time, talents and the wood to creating this beautiful display More Info »
Read moreMiddleport’s Grand Hotel
As early as 1825, the corner of Main and State Street in Middleport was known for its stately hotel, then called the Pierce House. One of the finest establishments in the area, it provided a home away from home for many a traveler who passed through this area. After a fire in 1883, the original wooden building was replaced in 1884 by one made of brick by the new owner, A.D. Rich. The new building was 118 feet long, 47 feet wide and three stories high. The main floor had a large dining room, billiard and bar room and offices. Upstairs were large sleeping apartments some of which provided a starting home for many local young married couples. After several more proprietors, the building was More Info »
Read moreMiddleport Herald, July 12, 1912
While sorting through some old newspapers earlier this week, imagine my surprise when I came across a short article and an ad for Mr. Vary, the inventor I have recently featured on this site. Thought you might enjoy reading what was written in the Middleport Herald, a semi weekly newspaper” circulated throughout the richest agricultural district on Earth”. Rates for the paper were $1.50 for the year according to publisher Lewis A. Jones.
Read moreElmer Vary, Tinkerer and Inventor
In the early 70’s when my husband and I first moved to State Street, we met Margaret and Elmer Vary, our neighbors at 55 State Street. Little did we know what a treasure of a man Elmer had been to this community for nearly 90 years. His early years were spent from the age of 14 working at the Batavia Canning and Preserving Company where he learned to love the machinery and was always looking for ways to improve their functioning. At the age of 16 he invented and patented an improved cherry pitter as well several other machines that made work easier at the factory. By 1919 his tinkering turned to the automobile and he opened a garage on Vernon Street, at the site More Info »
Read moreChauncey Norman, founder of NORCO
Chauncey Norman, a long time resident of Middleport, started his own business after working at the Niagara Sprayer for 37 years. NORCO Machine and Sheet Metal Corporation was started in 1957 with four employees in a building on Kelly Avenue after Niagara Chemical Division closed out its machine shop. Mr. Norman, Harold Austin and James Arnold formed their own firm and became known for their work in metal fabrication, arc welding and machine work. In 1961 the business moved from Kelly Avenue to a former Niagara Chemical Division building on Maple Avenue at the foot of Cemetery Street and added six additional employes. Chauncey Norman retired in 1971 and passed away in 1993. Photo courtesy of Bill Arnold.
Read moreHappy New Year
The office of the Village Historian is once again open and ready for your visit. I am now located in the board room at the Village Hall on Main Street and I am busy getting things back into order. My hours will continue to be on Tuesday and Thursday from 10-3 or by appointment. I hope to have a new display cabinet for some artifacts that are part of the Historian’s collection as well as plenty of reading material for you to enjoy. I am always ready to listen and record the memories that you have of Middleport and would like to preserve for future generations.
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