On Tuesday, July 1, the CIViC Heritage Historical Society held its summer picnic under two large maple trees on the lawn beside the Victory History Center. It was a lovely evening with around 30 members and friends attending.

Historians present were Dorothy Southard from the Town of Ira, Margaret Sweetman from the Village of Cato, Eva Taylor Sholes from the Town of Cato and yours truly from the Town of Victory. We enjoyed our picnic and listened to music of different eras. With the help of Kate Smith's recording, I led our group singing “God Bless America” to put everyone in the Fourth of July holiday mood.

After the picnic (and singing) everyone was welcomed into the history center to browse our Victory treasures and our cache of historical pictures and memorabilia telling the story of our town.

Among our treasured items are pictures and uniforms of our World War II veterans, pictures of the Victory common schoolhouses of the 1800s to the 1930s before centralization, a beautiful flowered dress that our local teacher (Leta Coppernoll Tifft) wore when she taught in China, farm items from our rich farming heritage, a bread cutter (for making dressing) used at the Grange, a baby bed and doll, the old Victory Hotel sign, a cow bell, glassware, Grange memorabilia, a Red Creek Central School maroon and gold satin majorette's uniform (many of us went to RCCS!), Knights of the Maccabees memorabilia, our veteran's table full of donated pictures and books, history books from other towns in the county and much, much more.

We were all looking forward to Town Historian's Day at the Agricultural Museum, which was held Saturday, July 19. Hope you found time to come out and see our exhibits and computer slideshows.

The 1861 brick schoolhouse at the intersection of Route 34 and Short Cut Road between Weedsport and Cato will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays for the rest of the summer.

Different historians and members of the CIViC Heritage Historical Society will be giving tours and present programs at this time.

On Sunday, Aug. 17, Dorothy Southard and I will take our turn at the schoolhouse to show you how the country school operated.

There are many little desks for the children to come and sit and do some “work” to enrich their knowledge of our local history and New York state history. All are welcome, and we'll sing, learn and have a good time.

Hope to see you there.

Beverly Sayles is the Victory town historian. She may be reached at beverlycs65@gamil.com