The B’ville Voices project is unveiling three new “memory markers” in the village June 28.
The sculptures and their stories will honor the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center’s first Man of the Year Albert Palmer, Emily Ekross’ mural at the Four Corners and the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse.
“It’s important to mark community and space — you bring narrative to life. People take pride in the maritime heritage and agricultural heritage [of Baldwinsville],” said Molly Garfinkel of City Lore, a New York City cultural conservation nonprofit which partnered with the village of Baldwinsville, Shacksboro, the Baldwinsville Public Library and the Erie Canal Museum to create the B’ville Voices initiative in 2013.
B’ville Voices is a trail of memory markers placed at historically significant sites within the village. Thirty B’ville residents recorded video interviews and stories about each place. So far, the project has placed six memory markers in the village and has plans for four more.
Brendan Rose, an artist and architect with Syracuse-based art and design collective Echo, has crafted two markers honoring Palmer and Shacksboro.
“Each [marker] is tailored to be unique and to reflect the story it represents,” Garfinkel said.
The reception begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the corner of Albert Palmer Lane and East Genesee Street. Albert Palmer, father of Lysander town historian Bonnie Kisselstein, was the owner of Palmer’s Diner and was famous for his pies, which he sold to raise money for numerous local charities. (For more about Albert Palmer, see this week’s Baldwinsville History Mystery feature.)
“That is really about philanthropy and volunteerism,” Garfinkel said of the marker honoring Palmer.
Kisselstein and her daughter, Lisa Kisselstein, will share stories about Palmer. The celebration continues at the Four Corners in front of Emily Ekross’ mural. A plaque will be placed at the mural, which Ekross completed in 2013 for her Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action Project.
“The mural really speaks for itself,” Garfinkel said.
Ekross will present on why she chose the mural for her project and its meaning.
The tour culminates at the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse, which Garfinkel said is symbolic of the “importance of education in Baldwinsville” and the museum’s role in preserving the heritage of the greater Baldwinsville area.
“The preservation of history is an important part of the museum,” Garfinkel said.
Rheta Jenks will share her memories of attending the one-room schoolhouse, and BPL Director Meg VanPatten will provide a host of treats and desserts around 4 p.m.
Garfinkel said she hopes the community will turn out to support the event.
“Baldwinsville’s so very much alive and thriving, and we want people to see that,” she said. “This is really meant to be a celebratory event.”
To learn more about B’ville Voices, visit bvillevoices.org or call Garfinkel at 212-529-1955 extension 17.
