Over the Top! Courtesy of the Military History Society of Rochester

Posted by [email protected] | Sep 27, 2015 | History | 0 |

WWI cannon in Pittsford (Canal Path].

July 30, 2015

For those of us who daily walk or bicycle on the Canal Path in Pittsford past the Village’s Department of Public Works, the dilapidated old cannon — its wooden wheels disintegrating — is a curious anomaly. Is Henrietta about to attack!

In “Pittsford military landmark in need of repair”, Donna De Palma tells the story of the World War I German howitzer captured by American forces in 1918 far better than I can, including how the Town of Pittsford hopes to raise funds to repair and move the forlorn relic. As Donna did, I am happy to publicize its misbegotten plight, as well as the Military History Society of Rochester.

To do so, my first stop was 250 N. Goodman Street in the Anderson Arts Building (the old Fabrics & Findings location), now home to over 60 artists and several cultural organization including the Military History Society of Rochester. In its 7th year on the second floor of the building, MHS is what is called a historical society with collections, chartered by the board of regents of the State of New York. Covering the military heritage of our area from the War of 1812 through current times, many displays feature Rochester and Monroe county veterans or items made in Rochester.

Chuck Baylis, the founder and Executive Director, provided me with this World War One uniform which belonged to Sgt. William A. Hines of 135 Meriman St, who served with the 7th Field Artillery from May 1917 through September 1919, overseas from July 1917 to August 1919. The rifle, a M1903, was manufactured in Springfield, MA.

For more on this “can’t miss” Museum,

As you can see, I have a history of vintage war uniforms and cannons. Below is at the Spanish-American Trophy Cannon Monument in Highland Park. Wonder in what uniform Chuck will dress me next!

For more on WWI artillery and Chuck: The WWI Austrian Cannon is back–or not–in Washington Square Park!

Celebrating the first Otis Day (June 15th) with the General’s sword at its new home: the Military Society of Rochester

As you can see, I have a history of vintage war uniforms and cannons. Below is at the Spanish-American Trophy Cannon Monument in Highland Park. Wonder in what uniform Chuck will dress me next!

UPDATE: Celebrating the first Otis Day (June 15th) with the General’s sword at its new home: the Military Society of Rochester

SEE ALSO

The WWI Austrian Cannon is back–or not–in Washington Square Park!

More on the Austrian Cannon Monument including from Rachel Barnhart

One hundred years ago when America entered the War to End All Wars. And Rochester.

About The Author

[email protected]

Welcome to Talker of the Town! My name is David Kramer. I have a Ph.D in English and teach at Keuka College. I am a former and still active Fellow at the Nazareth College Center for Public History and a Storyteller in Residence at the SmallMatters Institute. Over the years, I have taught at Monroe Community College, the Rochester Institute of Technology and St. John Fisher College. I have published numerous Guest Essays, Letters, Book Reviews and Opinion pieces in The New York Times, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, the Buffalo News, the Rochester Patriot, the Providence Journal, the Providence Business News, the Brown Alumni Magazine, the New London Day, the Boston Herald, the Messenger Post Newspapers, the Wedge, the Empty Closet, the CITY, Lake Affect Magazine and Brighton Connections. My poetry appears in The Criterion: An International Journal in English and Rundenalia and my academic writing in War, Literature and the Arts and Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Starting in February 2013, I wrote for three Democratic and Chronicle blogs, "Make City Schools Better," "Unite Rochester," and the "Editorial Board." When my tenure at the D & C ended, I wanted to continue conversations first begun there. And start new ones. So we created this new space, Talker of the Town, where all are invited to join. I don’t like to say these posts are “mine.” Very few of them are the sole product of my sometimes overheated imagination. Instead, I call them partnerships and collaborations. Or as they say in education, “peer group work.” Talker of the Town might better be Talkers of the Town. The blog won’t thrive without your leads, text, pictures, ideas, facebook shares, tweets, comments and criticisms.