Middlesex Heritage Group

05/22/2026

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, we wanted to take a moment to recognize one of Middlesex’s heroes: Barlow G. C**n.

Barlow G. C**n was born on May 21st, 1918, to Edwin L. and Sarah (Huey) C**n. He grew up on a farm in Middlesex, and was one of twelve children.

In March 1942, C**n joined the Engineering Corps to serve in World War II. The following year, he was sent to India, then later Burma.

On May 18th, 1944, just days away from his 26th birthday, Private First Class Barlow G. C**n was killed in action in Myitkyina, Burma, when American-Chinese forces seized the northern Burma base, under Lt. General Joseph W. Stilwell.

Posthumously, C**n was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. The citation that arrived with the medal read, “For heroism on May 18, 1944… While serving as driver for the commanding officer on reconnaissance in the forward area, Pfc. C**n was seriously wounded by enemy fire from an ambush. Disregarding his wounds, Pfc. C**n continued to drive until he lost consciousness, thereby saving the lives of the commanding officer and several passengers.”

Barlow is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, in Penn Yan, with military rites. Pfc. Barlow G. C**n showed true heroism and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." 🇺🇸
– Unknown

05/20/2026

04/19/2026

We received a message inquiring about arson fires, set by a Albert Ward, and some were in the Middlesex area. He is looking for possible first or second hand accounts to interview for a book he intends to write.

The specific list of arsons committed by Ward in and around Middlesex is as follows:

July 7, 1954 Galvin (Gavin?) Wilcox, Middlesex. Barn.

July 26, 1954 Middlesex Valley Industries, Mill St., Middlesex. Machine shop in old school building.

Nov. 24, 1954 Milford Button, Middlesex. Two barns.

Sep. 5, 1955 Charles Sturm, Middlesex. Barn.

Apr. 19, 1957 Cuffee Bay Property, Rushville

June 1957 Frank Loomis, Potter. Barn (unsuccessful arson attempt)

Aug. 21, 1957 Merrill Smith, Potter. Two barns.

Jan. 11, 1958 George LaDue, Italy Hill Road, Potter. Two barns.

Jan. 11, 1958 Stanley Button, Italy Hill Road, Potter. Two barns.

Sep. 15, 1958 James Gule, Potter. Barn.

Nov. 4, 1958 Mrs. Melissa Cooper, Potter. Barn.

Please reach out if you have any information and we can connect you with the author.

04/19/2026

👏

The Association of Public Historians of New York State held its regional conference in Penn Yan on April 18. Village, town and county historians and museum professionals from all over western New York attended. Speakers were Tricia Noel, Anastasia Sopchak, and Aaron Noble. Representing Yates County were (l-r): Ellen Chirco, Jerusalem historian; Len Kataskas, Yates County historian; Kevin Oliver, Dundee Area Historical Society director and Starkey historian; Stephanie Olsen, Benton historian; Amberle Kelly, Middlesex historian and Yates County History Center administrative assistant; Andy Baus, Penn Yan historian; Tricia Noel, Yates County History Center executive director and curator; Sara Hullings, Rushville historian.

04/02/2026

The Town Board provides funding for the Middlesex Hometown Heroes Project to honor the local servicemen and women currently on active duty. A 30” by 60” banner with the service person’s photo and name will be hung in town from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Upon completion of their service, the banners will be given to the individual service person.

Currently, we are honoring Noelle Kitenko, Michael Smith, Lillian Chrysler, Cody Webster, Kyle Craine, and Sean Conaway.

If you know of someone who is actively serving in the military from the Town of Middlesex and would like to have them honored with a Hometown Hero Banner, please contact me, Win Harper, at 585 397-4340 or [email protected]. You can also pickup an application at the Town Hall on Wednesday mornings.

03/23/2026

Exciting things are happening at MHG! Not only do we have a volunteer working diligently on upgrading our Family Tree Maker files to be accessible to the public, but we are also in the beginning stages of DIGITIZATION!

What does this mean? Once digitization is complete, all paper records and archives kept by MHG will be offered online! This will be an extensive project that will take time, but upon completion, anyone in the world will be able to browse our collections and use them for research, projects, and more! 📝➡️💻

Stay tuned! 🤩

03/09/2026

‼️ Historian Office Hour Change Notice ‼️

Town Historian office hours have changed to Mondays, 3-6pm.

Middlesex Heritage Group will continue to meet on Wednesday mornings, 9-12pm.

We hope the added late afternoon/early evening hours will create an opportunity for those unable to join us on Wednesday mornings to visit on Mondays.

We look forward to seeing you soon! 🙂

01/08/2026

A few spaces are still available in our upcoming printmaking workshop with Linda Griswold Davis on January 19th!

Learn block printing techniques and make your own prints on fabric in this hands-on class.

Sign up today:
https://www.folkartguild.org/classesandworkshops/p/blockprinting2026

01/04/2026

12/19/2025

Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Please check out this page to learn how you can help by sponsoring Veterans Remembrance Wreaths or by joining us on Decembe...