PORT BYRON - When it comes to the subject of local history, events and happenings from the 1800s are the first thing that come to mind.

History is what is created every day and it is recent history that members of the Lock 52 Historical Society in Port Byron are looking for to create their new book.

In an attempt to get the memories of historical society members stirred up, a special meeting was held to discuss preliminary plans for a book containing local history, which the organization would like to put together.

“When we think of history we think about the 1800s with covered wagons and things of that nature,” said Mentz Town Historian Mike Riley. “Yesterday is our history and we want to get people thinking about this.”

Historical society president Chick Walker said she got the idea from a similar project that the organization worked on about 10 years ago.

“The book will contain a collection of short stories and maybe an old family recipe,” she said. “Things that people may have done when they were young. Just an assortment of tidbits for our younger generation to enjoy.”

Walker said that many of today's youth don't realize that even as recently as the 1940s and 1950s, there were still houses that didn't have indoor plumbing.

“Many of the kids today don't realize that even some of the cars that we had in the 1970s had to be parked on the downward slope of a hill if they ever hoped to start it again.”

The previous version of the book, put together by Walker's own mother, Betty Smith, and fellow society member Hellen Davies, was a big hit with Port Byron residents, according to Walker.

In order to spark memories and start the process, Riley was ready with a local history quiz as well as a collection of newspaper articles.

The historic article that seemed to begin the chat was of the high school band that went on a trip to Florida in 1977.

At first, many guests did not remember the event took place, but after a few short minutes of searching their minds and discussing the topic, it became more clear.

Walker said the group didn't have any definite plans for the book, but would know more when people submit their stories and recipes.�

“It would be nice to have the stories in and a good portion of the project complete by January,” she said. “But right now we aren't sure how long it will take.”

Although the group would like to focus more on stories from Port Byron history, Walker said she would welcome stories from anyone within Cayuga County who would like to contribute.