Avon Preservation and Historical Society

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Avon Preservation and Historical Society

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The historical society's mission is to interpret and preserve the history of the Avon, NY, area. Please come visit us on Sundays between 1:00 and 4:00.

The Avon Preservation and Historical Society (APHS) was chartered in 1983. Through diverse collections and educational programs, the Society aims to promote a sense of pride in the Avon community. The APHS Museum, located at 23 Genesee Street, is home to a wide variety of collections. Many unique photographs, historical documents and local memorabilia are on display. The displays change on a regular basis, so come often!

11/01/2026

Voting in Avon’s Past ~ let’s look at where citizens went to cast their votes in the 1960’s, including a couple unique sites.

Art Coyne’s welding shop was where South Avon area residents went to vote in 1961. Mr. Coyne’s one-man welding business transformed into a polling place on Election Day. Check out this image from 1968 ⬇️ which shows how the polling place would have looked then. The building still stands at 2759 Avon-Geneseo Road.

By 1965, District 5 voting had moved away from Art Coyne’s shop to the garage of Doris and Kenn Blakely on the corner of Route 39 and Hogmire Road, and that remained the site for South Avon voters well into the 2000’s. Casting your vote in the Blakely‘s garage was a fun, neighborly experience. With couches and chairs surrounding the check-in table, the garage had the feel of a living room.

The voting machine stood along the wall, managed by Kenn Blakely and, after Kenn had passed away, other family members. You might be given an apple from the family’s trees, or a clipping from one of Doris’ plants.

Where did you vote? Do you remember the voting machines with a curtain that closed when you pulled the lever? Please share your memories with us about voting in the Blakely‘s garage, Art Coyne’s welding shop, or any of the other polling sites from long ago.

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10/30/2026

Local Spooky Tale for the Halloween Season -
Eleanor Bonney was a clairvoyant medium who, in November 1873, claimed she would “go out” of body for a period of time and then return, thus proving the ability of the soul to separate from the body. Before her “going out”, she left specific instructions that she was to lie unmoved in a bed in the house in Canawaugus, NY, just outside of Avon, and that the room was to be kept at a specific temperature, the body always under the watchful eye of only a few trusted people, including clairvoyant physician Mrs. Dr. Jennie C. Dutton.

Bonney also made predictions about what would happen to her body during her “going out”, and said bells would ring and the house would shake; these predictions allegedly came to pass. Once word got out about Bonney’s spiritual journey, local newspapers clamored for information and citizens debated the veracity of her claims. Authorities were not allowed entry to assess the situation, but several reporters were granted access. Alas, Bonney never returned, and in January 1874, coroners were finally admitted to the home to remove the co**se for burial.

(www. notesfromthefunnyfarm. wordpress. com/2017/09 /14/big-knockers-fringe-festival-and-local-characters/)

10/28/2026

10/23/2026

We invite you to come and visit the Avon Museum- if you DARE!! 😬
The Avon Museum is open every Sunday from 1-4pm or by appt. ⭐️23 Genesee Street Avon, NY (right next to the Village Restaurant)

10/19/2026

Time to get ready for the holidays!! Order deadline is Nov. 15 - Delivery or pick-up options available. Ordering information listed below. Thank you in advance for supporting the Avon Preservation & Historical Society.

10/18/2026

Hope to see you today’s program - October 18 @ 2pm

10/12/2026

Please join us for our next upcoming program on Sunday, October 18, 2026 @ 2pm - "Avon's First Settlers: The Seneca of Canawaugus" presented by Livingston County Historian, Holly Watson. Avon Opera Block / 23 Genesee Street.

10/10/2026

Have you noticed - the White Horse is getting a makeover! The Avon Preservation & Historical Society recently received a very gracious donation which is helping to fund this worthwhile project. It’s donations like this that help us continue with our mission of preserving Avon’s rich history. Thank you to all our supporters and long-time members!!

10/03/2026

The sun is shining in Avon.☀️ Have you had a root b**r today? This fun 1955 ad may have you craving one.

Tom Wahl opened Twin Kiss Ice Cream & Drive-In in March of 1955; this ad is from those early days. In 1957, he changed the name to Tom Wahl’s.

Root b**r 🍺 and ice cream🍦are still served today at Tom Wahl’s, along with the expansive menu of “ground steak” (a.k.a., burgers), hot dogs (a.k.a., “Texas” and “porkers”) and other delicious food.

Tom Wahl’s employees learned quickly the language to use when calling out an order to the cooks . . . “One ground - one,” or “one Texas - one,” for example. If you worked there, you know!

We hope you enjoy this sunny day and maybe have a root b**r.😊

………..
This advertisement appeared in the Genesee Valley Penny Saver dated July 28, 1955. It is part of a collection donated to the AP&HS by Tom Wahl and family.

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Address

23 Genesee Street
Avon, NY
14414

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15852262425

Website

http://avonpreservation.org/

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