Avon Preservation and Historical Society

Name: Avon Preservation and Historical Society
Address: 23 Genesee Street, Avon, NY, 14414, US
Telephone: +15852262425
Price range: $

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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 Many unique photographs, historical documents and local memorabilia are on display.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!

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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09/27/2026

Happening today - Operational Morale!🇺🇸
Opera Block 23 Genesee Street Avon, NY from 2pm - 3pm

09/18/2026

If we say, “white tree on Genesee Street,” what image pops in your mind? Many in Avon miss the white-painted tree stump that stood as a landmark in front of 277 Genesee Street. Let us know if you remember it!

The tree’s story comes to us from Alex Strasenburgh, whose family lived in the Genesee Street home. Alex’s father, Paul Strasenburgh, purchased the house in 1930 and used it as the family residence as well as the office for his insurance business. Let’s have Alex outline the tree’s history. ⬇️

“It was a locust tree,” Alex said, “and my dad had his insurance business sign hanging from the tree. One day, the tree died — it was back in the 1940’s (I think). When the village came to cut it down, my dad asked the guy to cut it above the height of the sign so he would not have to get a post to hang the sign on. Always a practical businessman, he thought, ‘why get rid of a perfectly good signpost?’ After a year or so, the bark peeled off the stump, and at that point, my dad painted it white. So, now you know the rest of the story.”

The white tree stump stood for generations before it weakened and finally succumbed in 2016 and was taken down.

The home was in the Strasenburgh family until around 1997. It became the White Oak Bed & Breakfast in 1998, owned and operated by Barbara Herman for nearly 20 years. Barbara once said, “we told our guests, ‘Just look for the tall white tree stump at the front garden to locate us.’ ”

Today the home is a private residence.

The white tree stump, though no longer standing, lives on in our memories. Our thanks to Alex Strasenburgh for sharing the photos with us.

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09/16/2026

Please join us for our upcoming program on Sunday, September 27 @ 2pm to hear about "Operation Morale" - how Avon supported our troops during the Vietnam War. Presented by AP&HS Trustee, John Snyder. Program is free and open to the public - 3rd Floor of the Avon Opera Block (23 Genesee Street).

09/13/2026

Don’t delay - only a few spots left for this historical tour on Sunday, Sept. 20 @ 1pm. You may sign-up in person at the Avon Museum (23 Genesee Street) on Sunday from 1-4pm or email [email protected]. This tour is brought to you by the Avon Preservation & Historical Society and the Avon Town Historian's office.

09/09/2026

Attention Train Enthusiasts!! We invite you to visit the Avon Museum to see our latest train display featuring the Right Away and Train Map of the Avon, Geneseo & Mt. Morris R. R. Co. The Avon Museum is located at 23 Genesee Street is open on Sundays from 1-4pm or by appointment.

09/04/2026

The museum will be closed Sunday, Sept. 6 so our volunteers can spend time with their families for the holiday weekend. In the meantime, we invite you to visit some of the many historic sites found throughout Avon.

08/30/2026

Sign-up for this free tour on Sunday, Sept. 20 @ 1pm. Limited spaces available. You may sign-up in person at the Avon Museum (23 Genesee Street) or email [email protected]. This tour is brought to you by the Avon Preservation & Historical Society and the Avon Town Historian's office.

Address

23 Genesee Street
Avon, NY
14414

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15852262425

Website

http://avonpreservation.org/

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