On July 24th, 2010 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, history will come to life at the Erie Canal Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast, formerly St. Mary's Assumption School (1907-1977). Jeri and Lou Becker invite the public to share in a day of welcoming back former students of the school, celebrating Christmas in July and enjoying some of Albion's historic treasures and local talent. See details below.

Let's rediscover together the wonderful history of Albion, New York. Bring along your favorite local history photos and stories to share. A scan station will be set up so you can add your photos to a historical collection while retaining your originals. Waterport Bakery will have pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and baked goods available for purchase all day. There will also be a lemonade and pretzel stand. Enjoy a picnic on the old school grounds while you visit with family, neighbors, friends or former classmates.

Erie Canal Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast is located at 43 Brown Street in the Village of Albion, NY. For more information about the event, please contact us.

History of St. Mary's Assumption Church and School

Located approximately 45 miles northeast of Buffalo, the rural village of Albion began to welcome Polish immigrants as early as 1875. An industrious and thrifty people who left the hardships of Poland to toil in the quarries and canning factories of Orleans County, the immigrant population quickly grew to more than 800 people. The increasing number led Bishop Stephen Ryan of Buffalo to call upon Rev. Bartholomew Swinko in 1890 to establish a rural mission church for the ever-increasing immigrant population. Prior to his placement in Albion, Swinko had established St. Casimer's Parish in Elmira, NY.

After purchasing a plot of land from the C. H. Moore Estate, the Poles quickly began the process of paying for that parcel as well as raising the necessary funds for the construction of a church. The corner stone was laid on August 16, 1892 on the feast day of the Virgin Mary, in the presence of 5,000 spectators. By spring of 1893, the brick and sandstone church was completed at the cost of about $18,000. The Polish population of Albion quickly engaged in quarry and agricultural labor, saving the money necessary to buy and improve their homes while supporting the ever-growing parish.

By 1907 it was deemed necessary to construct a new parochial school to house the large number of students under the pastorate of Rev. Stein. In the years immediately following completion of the building, school enrollment peaked at over 150 pupils. The Felician Sisters were petitioned to teach at the school, to which they did from 1907 until the school's closing in 1977. The longest pastorates were under Revs. John Melinski, Adam Borowiak and Walter Waligora.

As the immigrants and subsequent generations began to travel further into the cities, the Polish population of Albion began its decline as early as the 1930s. An aging population and centralized school district led to the closing of the school. Shortly after the death of the last permanent priest, the parish celebrated its centennial in 1991. Fifteen years later, on Christmas Day 2006, the parish celebrated its last mass and closed its doors to Sunday services. St. Mary's has since merged with St. Joseph's, becoming a new Catholic community; Holy Family Parish. At the time of its closing, St. Mary's was the oldest rural mission church in the Buffalo Diocese.

Featured Artists:

Carol Culhane - Artist, Oak Orchard Gallery

Carol Culhane signing an ornament in her studio

Carol Culhane is a self taught artist who began her career in 1989. When she is asked what are her greatest accomplishments to date, she immediately replies - "my children." Then Carol mentions her mural work at Golisano's Children's Hospital at Strong, the emergency room there and the Rochester Ronald Mc Donald House. Her work with the servicemen and women always brings tears to her eyes and the same comment: "I wish I could do more."

Carol was born and raised in Dutch Town in Rochester, New York and moved out to the Albion area in 1968. She loves the area, loves the town and the wonderful history. Charles W. Howard, aka Santa Claus, is the focus of her attention these days. Carol has created many unique custom ornaments over the years and the latest is so special. She is honoring Charles W. Howard with a commemorative ornament that portrays him in full costume as Santa. The formal unveiling of this ornament will take place at 11:00 am on July 24th, 2010. Each ornament is signed and numbered and can be personalized with your special message.

Gretchen Murray Sepik, Storyteller

Gretchen Murray Sepik as "Erie Canal Sal"

Actress, storyteller, playwright Gretchen Murray Sepik will present "Erie Canal Sal," a theatrical characterization of Sal McMurray, an Irish cook working on a packet boat traveling the Erie Canal in the year 1840. The presentation will take place at 1:00 pm on July 24th, 2010. The program combines Irish folk tales and facts about the canal that are true...in a very broad sense. You'll laugh while you learn about one of the engineering wonders of the world.

Gretchen was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania and was raised in the country where she and her brother, Greg, would spend hours playing in the woods and fields that surrounded their home. "I guess I'm the result of my father's storytelling and my mother's boundless imagination," says Gretchen.

Ms. Sepik majored in modern dance at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she also studied acting and writing. Gretchen does her form of storytelling across New York State and into Pennsylvania and was the cofounder of the Flight of Fancy Experimental Theatre and is an artist working with Young Audiences of Rochester and Young Audiences of Western New York. She presents 200 to 300 programs a year.

Gretchen and her husband, photographer and designer, Walter Jakubowski, live in an 1830s cobblestone house in Albion, New York.

Featured Displays:

Christmas Park and Santa Claus School

Charles W. Howard Commemorative Ornament created by Carol Culhane

Founded in Albion in 1937, the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School is the oldest and longest running school dedicated to the art of portraying Santa Claus. In 1946, Charlie Howard was the technical advisor for the original motion picture, Miracle On 34th Street. He appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1948 through 1965 and was also featured on TV shows: What's My Line, To Tell the Truth and the Johnny Carson Show. After Howard's death in 1966, the Santa Claus School moved to Bay City, Michigan where it still operates today.

In the late 1940's, Howard started to convert the three barns behind his house in to the Santa Claus School and Christmas Park became the campus for that school. This small amusement park became known all over the Northeastern United States and remained a popular year-round destination until its closing in 1968. This Disney-like theme park was ahead of its time.

Harold Hudson and the Hudson Exposition Show

Harold Hudson started his hobby of building miniature midway rides in 1953. The basement of his home on Caroline Street in Albion served as his workshop. In the early days, the public was able to view these rides in his garage once a year. The display eventually filled two garages front to back. Hudson was a big fan of real carnivals and would frequent many fairs and carnivals during the summer months. These visits were inspiration for the large-scale models of a variety of amusement park rides that he created. The models actually functioned like their real counterparts. Charles Zicari, one of Hudson's many fans, shared Harold's passion for miniature midway rides. Charlie was a young teen when he started spending time with Hudson. Upon Harold's death, the collection of years of model building was passed on to Charlie. This hobby is still very much a part of Charlie's life. He is continually adding new models as well as restoring the original Hudson models.

Some of the original Hudson models and part of Charlie's model collection will be on display. These models will function as their real counterparts. Lights, sounds and music will make you feel like you are actually on the midway. Charlie will be on hand to describe the rides and share his memories of Harold Hudson.