Le Roy Historical Society

09/05/2026

On this day, September 5th, 1867, Lt. Col. Phineas Staunton’s life came to an abrupt end at the age of 50

Phineas died on an exploratory expedition to South America put together by Williams College and the Smithsonian, led by University of Rochester professor, James Orton. Phineas was recruited for this expedition to draw their precious findings of animals, flora, and insects.

After just arriving, Phineas became victim to Yellow Fever, or also know as “the scrounge of the lowlands.” Phineas passed away in Quito, Ecuador, one week after his arrival on the expedition.

Phineas is remembered today through his art and other artifacts in our collection. This image is from his funeral held here in LeRoy, over a month after his untimely death.

09/02/2026

John Sherman Sr. was the winner of our 2026 afghan raffle!

John is standing with its maker Ann Marie Bahrenburg!

Thank you to everyone who participated and bought a ticket! And thank you to Anne Marie for crafting a beautiful afghan for us!

08/30/2026

We want to thank EVERYONE who came out last night to our event Liberty in the Garden! 💐🇺🇸

With almost 90 people in attendance it was an amazing event with amazing music! 🎶🎻

Thank you so much for celebrating America’s 250th with us!

08/29/2026

An amazing concert and evening in the LeRoy Historical Society Gardens!

Fiddlers of the Genesee

08/28/2026

We hope to see you tomorrow! Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs or we will have folding chairs!

Hope to see you there!

Join us on August 29th at 5 pm for "Liberty in the Garden" to continue the celebrations of America's 250th!

Come enjoy a summer night at the LeRoy Historical Society in the gardens, listening to patriotic music by Fiddlers of the Genesee! There will be some light refreshments provided!

Admission is FREE, but donations are greatly appreciated!

08/27/2026

The fall weather is starting to creep in!

This is a perfect time to shop our Jell-O crew necks! Be sure to stop into the gift shop located in the Academic Building, during our open hours

⏰ Thursday - Saturday: 10-4
⏰ Sunday: 1-4

Or you can shop on our online store! Located at leroyhistoricalsociety.org

08/21/2026

Join us Sunday, September 20th!

Come learn about piano student and 1875 Ingham University graduate, Jenny Modisette Mathews! This will be the fourth installment of our 2026 program series, "The Artists of Ingham University: Faculty and Students."

Learn more about Jenny and her life following her time at Ingham University! You will also get an exclusive look at some of Jenny's clothing from the 1880s! For now, enjoy this 1887 portrait of Jenny by Seymour Guy that hangs above the fireplace in the front parlor!

Please join us at 2 pm inside the Historic LeRoy House! Presented by LeRoy Historical Society curator Tyler Angora

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council of the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by GO ART!

08/20/2026

Join us on August 29th at 5 pm for "Liberty in the Garden" to continue the celebrations of America's 250th!

Come enjoy a summer night at the LeRoy Historical Society in the gardens, listening to patriotic music by Fiddlers of the Genesee! There will be some light refreshments provided!

Admission is FREE, but donations are greatly appreciated!

08/18/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our program this past Sunday! It was an amazing crowd!

Those who came were enlightened about Lt. Col Phineas Staunton — his life, art, and legacy! They also witnessed the first public appearance of Staunton’s masterpiece, “The Ascension,” in decades!

Curator, Tyler Angora and art history intern, Emma Tower, unveiled the painting after their brilliant presentation about the phenomenal artist