Farmington-Bits and Pieces of History

08/30/2026

DID YOU KNOW? The town of Farmington was virtually "dry" for over 150 years meaning NO licenses to sell liquor were issued. Three hundred and three people voted on the issue. Two hundred and fourteen voted against liquor licenses. On May 14, 1846, a special town meeting was held to confirm the vote and pass the act. Nathan Aldrich/Supervisor, Webster Sheldon/Town Clerk and 3 JPs signed.

08/07/2026

07/22/2026

07/15/2026

This morning I smelled smoke and thought our field was on fire! Then remembered the news report about smoke from the Canada wild fires drifting our way. These pictures don't do justice to the reality of this phenomenon. Recalling earlier research, another global weather abnormality occurred in 1816. A "dry fog" just like today dimmed sunlight but in 1816 it caused cold and actual frost throughout the summer months. Crops failed leading to an agricultural disaster and economic distress. The main cause for the weather change was a massive disruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia. Volcanic ash was released into the atmosphere blocking the sun and led to cooling....just as the smoke from Canada is doing today!
But news did not travel like it does today. In 1816, people were left with their own misunderstandings about why the weather was working against them. One wonders if this was the beginning of the makings of the "Burned over district"?

07/13/2026

Stopped at the West Bloomfield Historical Society's annual yard sale yesterday and got to visit the church building which houses their artifacts. I was absolutely amazed over the treasures they have collected and the tender loving care they are given. My appreciation goes out to the historical societies who are good stewards of their community's history and actively collect BEFORE artifacts leave their townships. Wouldn't it be fun to visit and tour the many buildings which hold archival material that is maintained by historical societies? (Gorham, Macedon, Bristol, Naples, East Bloomfield, Canandaigua, Geneva, Lyons so many more!) If you go - have fun-there is so much to see.

06/30/2026

An early engraving of Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette at Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon, with Martha Washington and Nelly Custis to the right.

06/26/2026

History in Color:

A group of Teamsters pose for a photo near the signal tower at Cobbs Hill, VA.

While the photo shown here is an original scan from our collection (colorized), the Library of Congress has expanded information on this photo: https://buff.ly/tTdqpu0