Cincinnatus Area Heritage Society

09/14/2026

This might just be our "claim to fame." We discovered this image in an odd little box of glass plates. The minute we held it up to the light, we knew we were holding something magical. It's the Brick Store, with the back of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Cincinnatus (completed in 1844) slightly to the left. Oliver and George Kingman, descendants of Cincinnatus pioneer Col. John Kingman, bought the store from Halbert and Bean in 1854. Two years later, in 1856, they sold to HM and Jefferson Kingman. (Note the signage over the front of the store.)

We give this image, with the circus-like entertainment that must have come to town in the springtime, when the snow was still on, when the road was still awfully muddy, a circa date of 1856.

We'll have the image enlarged, so it can hang proudly for the public to see...and delight in. This is magical.

09/13/2026

Working on linen. Choosing the just-right hook. Sketching a design. Trying out frames. All this happened today (9/12) at the Rogers House, during a CAHS/KFL class, complete with books from the Finger Lakes Library System that could be checked out for future reference. Avail yourself of one last introductory class--September 19th at 1 p.m., by calling the library or 607-863-3856.

09/10/2026

"Just" a wonderful gift. On September 7th Justin Tefft and "Bubba" Billy Rutan donated their labor and materials, so Cincinnatus Area Heritage Society could have gutters on its north side porch roof. The society has had ongoing problems with paint peeling on either side of the roof, and this is doubtless due to the rain and snow that come off the building's high roof. How grateful we are for this improvement!

Justin Tefft

09/10/2026

"Here you come again." Autumn. And "Here [we] go!"

CAHS board members Joanne Livermore and Lora Congdon celebrate the arrival of fall 2026 with eye-popping door swags on Heritage Hall's doors, this as we look forward to opening those doors for the society's Annual Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on October 7th. Got to be ready.

09/09/2026

Another find, taken from one of the John Sheerar/Moe Seager boxes of glass plates that we're slowly accessioning. This little gent is Adelbert Eugene Delavan (1858-1942), father of Harold Burton Delavan (Dean Delavan's father). And it's a hat he's holding with his right hand.

09/05/2026

9/4. They arrived. They tore into the rotten upper door decor. They built a long section that they moved up the ladder and fitted into place. And yes, we gave the shrubs a haircut while they were working.

Our thanks to Ricky Yale and John Byroads for making Heritage Hall as stately as it must have been back in 1832.

09/02/2026

08/30/2026

September has that feeling of a fresh start, of time starting over again. Apples go to c***r, children go to school, books open, things are written, the world is studied.
Our point: Local businesses stay put. They remain what they've been...there for us.