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Cobblestone Museum joins effort to promote historic sites during Preservation Month

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Photo by Tom Rivers Posted 22 May 2016

GAINES – May is being celebrated as Preservation Month with a “This Place Matters” campaign by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (click here).

The Cobblestone Museum, the only site in Orleans County deemed by the federal government as a National Historic Landmark, is joining the effort. The top photo shows Museum Director Taylor Daughton, left, and Volunteer Coordinator Sue Bonafini by the Ward House.

The Ward House was built in 1840 under the direction of John Proctor, a prominent early Gaines resident. The building was constructed in the Federal style. The interior of the house is decorated to reflect the 1880s.

Following Proctor’s ownership, the house was sold to Benjamin and Mary Ann Woodburn Dwinnell. Mary Anne was the aunt of New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, who held the mortgage until 1863. The home functioned as a private residence until 1975, when the property was purchased by the museum from Mrs. Inez Martyn Ward.

The Ward House needs repairs to the front steps and other restoration work. The Cobblestone Museum welcomes donations for that project and other museum upkeep, as well as volunteers to help lead tours, and with other museum efforts.

For more on the Cobblestone Museum, click here or call (585) 589-9013.