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Rush Historical Society

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Our Mission

The purpose of the Rush Historical Society is to provide educational programming and to preserve and encourage historical research related to the Town of Rush, New York

One of the ways we want to share history is through articles written by Society members and guests on a variety of topics. We welcome your submissions. Below are the most recent posts. To see all, click on Articles tab.

Wells Barn & The Genesee Land Trust, Sunday, May 19th at 2 pm

1911 Corner House Grant Update April 2024

Roads of Rush, April 7, 2 pm, Board Room of Rush Town Hall

Our Beginning

In 2017, just in time for its bicentennial year in 2018, the Rush Historical Society is “reborn” after years of dormancy. Originally formed in 1938 by Mary “Mattie” Hayes (1870-1949), the association worked to acquire and preserve information and artifacts of the Town of Rush, New York. Mattie served as a consultant and a confidant to the Town Historian, Bessie Hallock, who served in that role from 1944 to 1968.

This new incarnation of the Rush Historical Society is a non-profit organization established under the laws of the State of New York. Their activities will include, but not be limited to, conducting public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, and trips that will educate members and their guests about the history of Rush and the surrounding area.

Our Board

Janet Cruz

Co-President
I have lived in Rush for 24 years, before that I lived in Henrietta. I had moved to Henrietta from Long Island. We lived in a small town on the island where we knew all our neighbors when I was growing up. I saw
that in Rush and decided when I was ready to buy my own home, it would be in Rush. While it's not a historical home, I'm sure it has history, as it was built in the late 1800's.

In High School, I took Photography Classes at RIT. I went on to graduate from Nazareth College with Degrees in Sociology and Education. My first career was in the Human Service Field, providing Supports and Services to individuals with Disabilities and their families. In 2015, I left that field to pick up where I left off in Photography. Today, I am a full time Photographer. I do portrait work, some families and weddings, mostly High School Senior Portraits. Primarily, I am an art photographer. I do a great deal of commission work, creating artwork for individuals and companies based on their interests. Some of my art can be seen in local Health Care Settings, Assisted Living Facilities throughout New York State, Private Companies in the Rochester area and Family homes throughout the country. I also have pieces sold through Minted and Pottery Barn Teen.

My favorite Historical period is the Renaissance. I love the art from that time, the frescos and the sculptures. It is so vibrant, it's rich with emotion and full of stories from the time period. MIchaelangelo is my favorite artist. Actually Irving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy" is my favorite book. I have traveled to Italy to see as much of his work as possible, and spent time in Florence retracing his steps!
I am torn with my favorite musician. It's between Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. Bruce, well I just love his music, Thunder Road is my favorite song of all time. Although, my ringtone is "Piano Man". I love Billy Joel for a few reasons 1. I like his music. 2. He's from Hicksville, Long Island, where I grew up. 3. We had the same piano teacher during the same period of time. I think he got more attention than I did. I"m sure I ran into him once or twice while waiting for or leaving a lesson.

Dave Sluberski

Co-President
Program Chair
Principal Lecturer at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Film & Animation, specializes in sound design/technology. He served as design team consultant for MAGIC Spell Studio’s state-of-the-art sound design, and as Senior Audio Technologist at WXXI Public Broadcasting Council/NPR-PBS affiliate for 25 years. Through his own West Rush Media LLC, he produces/designs/mixes audio for broadcast media/digital distribution networks, including independent feature films and documentaries. WRM clients include: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, WXXI Public Broadcasting Council, University of Rochester, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and independent filmmakers. Awards include the George Foster Peabody Award (1994), Telly, Gabriel and NYS Emmy awards. Dave considers himself a recreational welder, and he and his wife, Dr. Sandra Boysen Sluberski, enjoy their classic cars and reside in Rush, NY.

Pam Bock Ebersold

Treasurer and Founding Member
I was born in Rush and have lived here most of my life. I have a long family history in Rush with many generations before me living here and being important and beloved members of the community. My paternal grandparents owned and operated the Bock's grocery store and meat market in the hamlet. My family also owned Bock's Dairy prior to the grocery store business. As a teenager, I worked at the family store. My home previously belonged to my maternal grandparents and my maternal grandfather was the Town Highway Superintendent for many years. As you can see, my family history is deeply connected to Rush. I am interested in preserving and sharing our town's history for the benefit of current and future generations.
I am currently the bookkeeper for several area Dairy Queen stores where I oversee the payroll and a multitude of accounts.

Bonnie Meath-Lang

Secretary
Bonnie Meath-Lang, and her husband, Harry Lang, have been residents of Rush since
1988. Both are retired professors from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf
at the Rochester Institute of Technology. In 2018, she had the great privilege to
write and direct Rush’s Bicentennial production, with the wisdom and counsel of the
town historian, Sue Mee, and the neighbors who have inherited, live, tell the stories, and breathe Rush's deep history.

Chris Miller

Membership Committee Chair
"Lived in Rush since 1968 - 53 years
Joined Historical Society after bicentennial and had an interest in history of Rush
I am a registered Medical Technologist and worked in the field for 42 years.
My favorite historical period is the Civil War."

Linda Henry

Past President

Susan Mee

Founding Member and Town Liaison

My family moved to Rush when I was in fourth grade and I have mostly lived here since. My husband, Tim, and I have two adult daughters; our oldest resides in Rush and our younger daughter is in Buffalo. After 42 years at RIT, I retired in 2021. At RIT, I was a reference librarian and supported RIT’s international campuses and online programs.

I became the historian for Rush in 2014 and truly enjoy meeting members of our community, as well as researching and learning more about our community’s rich history. Working with the Rush Historical Society and helping them grow and further develop is an enriching experience that I appreciate.

In my free time, I enjoy quilting, gardening and reading. And, now that Tim and I are retired, we hope to travel more.

Society's Bylaws

Rush Historical Society is a 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization. Our bylaws are public documents. To read them you may download a copy of this 5 page document.

Explore with the Rush Historical Society