Perry NY Historian

01/21/2026

Hilarious, and why going to primary sources (then citing those sources) helps prove what is correct 😁

01/19/2026

Please share with your schools. What an awesome opportunity!!
Perry Central School District

History is not just read, it is experienced. America’s Field Trip takes classrooms beyond four walls and into the places that shaped our nation. Make America your classroom.

Learn more today: https://america250.org/fieldtrip/

12/19/2025

WANTED: OLD PERRY HERALDS! (and other Perry related items!)
We (Perry as well as the Wyoming County Historian's Office ) are in search of the March 17, 1966 copy of the Perry Herald!
YES, we have the digitized version online.
However, most likely these older digitized versions were taken from old microfilm that was degrading from time, so most all older digitized Perry Heralds are difficult to read and the photos are almost always as you see them in the photo-almost indiscernible!
I am looking specifically for the March 17, 1966 issue, but also would like any from 1966 thru 1969, as well as the year 1982.
We have most all other years (with exceptions of a few issues missing in some years) but if you have any older Perry Heralds, PLEASE contact me so we can see if they are issues we don't have! (Please DO NOT drop off any items to the Town Hall before getting approval to do so as I have limited storage and cannot take duplicates of years we already have)
THIS-the photo below, is why it is SOOO IMPORTANT to NEVER throw out originals!!!
Have you digitized your family photos? DON'T throw out the originals!! This is a PRIME example of why it is so important to keep them!
Do you not want to keep your family photos after you've digitized them? Are they of Perry people? DONATE them to the Town of Perry Historian's department!! We have priceless old family photos that would be otherwise lost to time, and your Perry family is no different!
PS: The Perry Library has been applying for grants to eventually re-digitize all Heralds, but we NEED the originals to do this, so if you have old copies of the years listed above (1966-1969, 1982) that you could even LEND us, we would greatly appreciate it!!

11/25/2025

Had an awesome meeting with many of our Wyoming County municipal historians, hosted and run by Kevin Proper and Stacey Huber , our Wyoming County historian and assistant historian. Thank you Kevin and Stacey-- it was an awesome meeting and I'm looking forward to the next one!

🏆 Go Team Historian 🏆

Last night we hosted the majority of the Town Historians from our county for a little brainstorming and social hour. It was productive and fun. We are all looking forward to continuing this and bringing some great programs in the future to all. Teamwork makes the dream work!

11/13/2025

Almost seems surreal! Can you imagine: in another 100+ years, people will be like: "Where did we get these expressions from?" It's also possible these expressions will fall out of our English vocabulary as many old sayings have!
A penny for your thoughts?
A penny saved is a penny earned.. In for a penny, in for a pound.
The penny drops.
Penny-pincher.
Turn up like a bad penny.
Not a penny to my name.
And that's just a few...!
https://apnews.com/article/us-mint-treasury-department-penny-end-production-86139df5644ef0885a9baf98e9677380

11/07/2025

The things we historians find when researching a whole other topic!
This ad for 'Lands, &e. for Sale' was in the Geneva Gazette and General Advertiser in the January 23, 1828 issue on page 4.

I'd LOVE to know what store was for sale in Perry in 1828 not only with a stone cellar, but heck, one could bring in $100 per year in rent!
And wow, LOTS of land for sale in Castile....near a post office!

(PS: This whole area was Genesee County until Wyoming County was formed in 1841)

Sometimes when you decide to go down these rabbit holes, it can go two ways: I could either get lucky and find the information proving who was selling a store, or I might spend hours or days or longer searching. It's the latter option that allows my reasonable brain half to say "No Suzie, DON'T do it!!"
BUT....my FOMO, and more so my huge curiosity and love of history means I never wonder why I DO go down those rabbit holes 😁😆

10/15/2025

What I love about small town life: it's so easy to see people you know (and don't know that well, but can still strike up a conversation about everything and anything) and have an impromptu sidewalk chat and talk about our Perry history, the people of the past, how everyone is related, and reminisce how life used to be!
Of course, catching up and hearing how everyone is doing is part of that, all while realizing my Chinese food was ready 20 minutes earlier and the hubs was surely quite hungry but probably knew I got talking 😁
Pictured: Front: Suzie Canby Carlson
Back left to right: Timothy Martin-- one of the nicest young men I know, Joanne Knapp of His & Hers, Mary Hotchkiss of the Town of Perry Zoning & Planning board & roving Perry Herald reporter, and Craig Andolina-fellow history lover.

08/03/2025

Two events tomorrow: Pioneer Picnic at the historic Pioneer Association grounds at Silver Lake, and a historic house talk in Perry!

07/13/2025

05/26/2025

Every year on this day, Perry has our annual Memorial Day parade, after which is a service to honor and remember all 'those who gave the last full measure of devotion.' The new memorial and flagpole was dedicated today, a memorial that now encompasses all those who gave their lives in service from the beginning of Perry to the present. It was a beautiful day, and I always get a lump in my throat when Taps is played at the end 🇺🇲 🎺

05/26/2025

came to the dedication of our new veterans memorial in Perry, NY and also wanted my boy Lucas in the photo. These girls were great, taking photos with many of our veterans on hand for today's Memorial Day parade & service. Thank you for coming today, girls- you brought a lot of smiles! (You can also check out on Instagram, Facebook X, and YouTube)