Halfway to Heaven – Songs of the Suburbs
Presented by Michael Lasser
Sunday, December 1, 2019 – 2:30PM
Brickstone Wintergarden
1325 Elmwood Avenue
Michael Lasser, host of WXXI’s “Fascinating Rhythm” will take us on a
musical journey through America’s suburbs at the turn of the 20th century – told through the eyes and ears of one of Rochester’s finest music historians and Peabody Award winner.
Refreshments and book signing to follow.
Michael Lasser grew up just across the Hudson in New Jersey at a time when Broadway was still Broadway, and kids, parents, and grandparents could all sing the same songs. He is a broadcaster, writer, lecturer, writer, critic, and teacher. He is also the author of America’s Songs II: From the 1890s to the Post-War Years (2013), a companion volume to his and Philip Furia’s America’s Songs: The Stories Behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley (2006). A graduate of Dartmouth College, he is the former theater critic for The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, and appears often at museums, universities, and performing arts centers around the country. In 1994, Fascinatin’ Rhythm won a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, and, in 2010, he was named a Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Rollins College. He recently completed his third book, City Songs: The American Popular Song, 1900-1950.
A Celebration of History
By Arlene Vanderlinde
It is hard to believe that Historic Brighton is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2019! HB was founded in 1999 by a small group of Brighton citizens who sought to know more about their community’s past and share it with all who wanted to learn. This group was aware that communities that have embraced their local history enjoyed enhanced economic stability and a stronger sense of place among its population.
Historic Brighton was established as a 501(c)3, not-for-profit cultural organization with the help of the Landmark Society of Western New York. The Brighton Historical Society had ceased operation at this time and their remaining members joined as Charter Members of Historic Brighton. HB received its Permanent Charter from the State of New York Education Department in 2009. All work is carried out by its talented and hard-working Trustees and community members. All membership dollars are applied directly toward our mission.
No one could possibly imagine the depth and breadth of history that would be presented through its quarterly Newsletter/Journal and public programming. Thus far, Historic Brighton has presented over 80 public programs and 79 Newsletters encompassing all aspects of the Town’s history and beyond. Most of these are offered free to the community through the generosity of our loyal membership. Our first speaker was former Congressman Barber B. Conable, followed by many notable authors, community leaders and historians. Subjects included: the Seneca Indians, our neighborhoods and sites, local cultural and religious institutions, historic personages, architectural history, historic preservation and so many more. I hope you will visit our Newsletter page to read some of the Newsletters. The new comprehensive index will help you find specific information. During our anniversary year, Historic Brighton will be revamping its website so we can be more visible in the community and be an even better resource.
Historic Brighton has proudly published books and booklets with the help of community grants and contributions to our Publishing Fund. These include East Avenue Memories, by Elizabeth Brayer; three Salon Booklets, highlighting the work of several well-known local architects, and Brighton Brick, by Leo Dodd, a delightful illustrated history of Brighton’s early brick industry.
We are proud of the accomplishments of our first twenty years. Our hope continues to be that all members of this community with a love for history and pride in this town will join Historic Brighton and keep the celebration going.
Some Popular Sections
Brighton Brick
Architecture
Brighton Farms
About Us
Buried Treasures in Mount Hope Cemetery
Presented by Richard O. Reisem
Sunday, October 13, 2019
2:30 – 4:00PM
Brighton Town Hall Main Auditorium
Historic Brighton will open its season with Rochester author, Richard O. Reisem bringing us a fascinating and highly informative look at his pictorial field guide, Buried Treasures in Mount Hope Cemetery.
The new 230-page field guide to historic Mount Hope helps cemetery visitors locate more than 650 burial sites of remarkable people – some well-known, others more obscure – and provides a biographical sketch for each one. The text is complemented by 210 color images by photographers Don Hall and Ron Richardson, showing cemetery “residents,” important monuments, and the evocative landscape of America’s first municipal Victorian cemetery. Useful, easily read maps of each cemetery quadrant as well as a larger map of the whole cemetery will help visitors explore Mount Hope.
As Reisem states in his introduction to Buried Treasures, “Official records reveal that about 350,000 people have taken up permanent residence here since the cemetery’s establishment. The range and diversity of the people whose stories are told provide a fascinating tableau of Rochester history.”
Author Richard O. Reisem has written 16 books about history, architecture, and cemeteries since retiring from Eastman Kodak’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs. His books about Mount Hope Cemetery include a biography of Myron Holley (Myron Holley: Canal Builder/Abolitionist/Unsung Hero); Gravestones in Mount Hope Cemetery; Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad; and Mount Hope: America’s First Municipal Victorian Cemetery.
A book-signing will follow the talk.
A Celebration of History
By Arlene Wright Vanderlinde
It is hard to believe that Historic Brighton is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2019! HB was founded in 1999 by a small group of Brighton citizens who sought to know more about their community’s past and share it with all who wanted to learn. This group was aware that communities that have embraced their local history enjoyed enhanced economic stability and a stronger sense of place among its population.
Historic Brighton was established as a 501(c)3, not-for-profit cultural organization with the help of the Landmark Society of Western New York. The Brighton Historical Society had ceased operation at this time and their remaining members joined as Charter Members of Historic Brighton. HB received its Permanent Charter from the State of New York Education Department in 2009. All work is carried out by its talented and hard-working Trustees and community members. All membership dollars are applied directly toward our mission.
No one could possibly imagine the depth and breadth of history that would be presented through its quarterly Newsletter/Journal and public programming. Thus far, Historic Brighton has presented over 80 public programs and 79 Newsletters encompassing all aspects of the Town’s history and beyond. Most of these are offered free to the community through the generosity of our loyal membership. Our first speaker was former Congressman Barber B. Conable, followed by many notable authors, community leaders and historians. Subjects included: the Seneca Indians, our neighborhoods and sites, local cultural and religious institutions, historic personages, architectural history, historic preservation and so many more. I hope you will visit our Newsletter page to read some of the Newsletters. The new comprehensive index will help you find specific information. During our anniversary year, Historic Brighton will be revamping its website so we can be more visible in the community and be an even better resource.
Historic Brighton has proudly published books and booklets with the help of community grants and contributions to our Publishing Fund. These include East Avenue Memories, by Elizabeth Brayer; three Salon Booklets, highlighting the work of several well-known local architects, and Brighton Brick, by Leo Dodd, a delightful illustrated history of Brighton’s early brick industry.
We are proud of the accomplishments of our first twenty years. Our hope continues to be that all members of this community with a love for history and pride in this town will join Historic Brighton and keep the celebration going.
Some Popular Sections
Brighton Brick
Architecture
Brighton Farms
About Us
