1968-1978
A new Neighborhood Association was called to organize on January 29, 1968 following a discussion between Mr. Melville C. McQuay and the Rev. Walter B. Freed, D.D., Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 33 Grove Street, who offered the Church as a meeting place.
The first meeting of the Neighborhood Association was held February 4, at the Church with 33 attending. Dr. Blake MaKelvey, City Historian, spoke, outlining his experience in assisting the forming of similar neighborhood groups. A general discussion was held on the purpose, aims and policies. Mr. Theodore Meldahl, Planned Parenthood Representative, was appointed Chairman of the Committee on ‘Constitution’ with Dr. Robert Clark and Mr. Anthony Maletta as members. Representatives from the Reformation Lutheran Church were: Charles Clutz, as Chairman and Mrs. Harriet Dutton, as member of its Property Committee.
Grove Place Association was the name selected at the second meeting, February 25, 1968. The name was taken from the street that bears the name of the former private lane into the old Ward homestead. Officers were elected with Mrs. F. Hawley Ward, President; Melville C. McQuay, Vice President; Raymond Torrey, Treasurer; William VerHoeven, Recording Secretary and Joseph A. Fitzgerald, Corresponding Secretary. Boundaries were discussed.
On March 24, 1968 membership policies were established, with boundaries of the organization determined: on the North - Delevan Street, on the South - Main Street (but not inclusive), on the East - Scio Street, on the West - North Street (but not inclusive). Meetings would be held on the 4th Sunday of each month excluding December, at 4:00 P.M. at the Church.
On October 27, 1968 Dr. Julian Granberry with the help of his Committee reported on a survey of historical and architectural houses worth saving in the neighborhood that date from the 18408s.
Grovetown Incorporated was formed May 1969 as a financial arm of the Association and purchased the brick house at #137 Gibbs Street, renovated, rented, then sold it to William Buckett, a commercial artist, for his office use. In April 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clutz purchased the condemned and boarded up brick house at #164 Gibbs Street. It was renovated from 7 former apartments to 2. The Grove Place Association encouraged the Landmark Society to purchase the east wing of the Ward home at 20 Grove Place. Mrs. Ward had deeded her home at 18 Grove Place to the Landmark Society of Western New York in 1967 with the provision that she might continue to live there through her lifetime.
The Grove Place Preservation District was established by the City Council in August 1971 after recommendation by the Landmark Society and the City Planning Commission. It includes almost the whole acreage of the former Ward estate and is bounded on the North by University Avenue; South, by Grove Place and Grove Street; East, by Carpenter Alley and West, by Stillson Street. A month alter this designation Mrs. Hawley Ward s home at #18 and the east wing at #20 Grove Place and Melville McQuay’s Town Houses #128-#152 Gibbs Street and the Carriage House, #3 and #5 Selden Street were named Landmarks.
To replace some of the trees on Grove Place, Gibbs, Selden and Windsor Streets that had been removed by demolishing homes, the City planted 18 young trees. The Association provided metal rods and protection for these maple, flowering crab, callary pear and locust trees. Since then the City has added more maple, pear, and sycamore trees on Gibbs Street with new planting curbs, aggregate sidewalks and brick paving to the edge of the street. Other trees have been planted on Selden and Gibbs Street by the Association in memory of those members who formerly lived in the area and have passed on: Joseph Fitzgerald, Elvira Wunderlich, Margaret Whelan, Clayla Ward and Hannah Harle.
The beautification project has been completed on Gibbs Street from University Avenue to Grove Place/Grove Street. Members of the Association have painted the metal guards protecting the trees from accidents and vandalism. Several trees have been replaced by the group because of vandalism. Chain-link fences have been painted black. Members of the Association painted the fence on the north side of Selden Street, the Y.M.C.A. the south side. New street lighting with colonial lamps has been installed. Trash containers have been painted green end placed in strategic locations. The beautification project is scheduled to be continued this year for the rest of the Preservation District.
The burned out brick house at #175 Gibbs Street was purchased by Grovetown Incorporated in March 1973, was demolished and the land was then sold to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Davidson and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Saphar who built adjoining townhouses.
Within a year after Clayla Ward passed away in August 1973, with arrangements through the Landmark Society, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra transferred their offices from the Eastman Theatre building to the east wing of the Ward house. Her-home is used for Board meetings and receptions.
Planned parenthood purchased a building at #24 Windsor Street, renovated and added to it for new and larger offices which they occupied in June 1975. Their former offices in the home at #38 Windsor was purchased by James Ferrar which he remodeled into offices and business on the first floor and his apartment on the second floor.
In June 1975, Mr. and Mrs. David Casey purchased the vacant house at 157 Gibbs St. After some delays, the asbestos shingles were removed. Deteriorated siding and missing shingles in the gable were replaced and exterior painted. Work is now continuing on the interior.
Grovetown Incorporated purchased in November, 1975, the brick house at 158 Gibbs Street, formerly known as “The Marquette”, removed the porch, installed new steps and railing, sandblasted the exterior and painted the trim. The rooming house operation was discontinued and is now being finished into two condominiums separated by a fire wall. Mrs. Walter J. Weyerts has purchased the Gibbs St. portion; the Selden St. portion is for sale.
In 1976 the Y.M.C.A. constructed an addition on the east side of their building on Grove Place for 6 hand ball courts and one squash court. Portions of-the interior were renovated and the parking lot extending between Grove Place and Selden St. was curbed, repaved and landscaped.
Events which the Association has promoted are the Luminaria during the Christmas season, held Dec. 21, 1976 and Dec. 20, 1977. Lighted candles within paper bags lined the walks and steps of the residences as carolers stopped to sing at doorways and were greeted by those within. After the caroling the Ed Saphars entertained with a reception in 1976 and Ray Torrey in 1977.
The Gardens of Grove Place was held July 25, 1977. A walking tour with 12 stops to view gardens with potted plants or beds of flowers concluded with a reception in the garden of Town House, where several tables of fewer arrangements were on display. At Reformation Church the gardens had been refurbished, a new chain-link fence installed and a tour of the sanctuary provided.
The Grove Place Association is involved in the City’s efforts to revive downtown Rochester through various committees and organizations in which individual members are participating.
Officers of the Grove Place Association
|
|
President |
Vice-President |
Treasurer |
Recording Secretary |
Corresponding Secretary |
|
1968 |
Mrs. F. Hawley Ward |
M.C. McQuay |
Raymond Torrey |
William VerHoeven |
Joseph A. Fitzgerald |
|
1969 |
M.C. McQuay |
Louis M. Clark, Jr. |
Francis Brewer |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1970 |
M.C. McQuay |
Louis M. Clark, Jr. |
Dr. Robert Clark |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1971 |
M.C. McQuay |
Charles W. Clutz |
Dr. Robert Clark |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1972 |
Charles W. Clutz |
Raymond Torrey |
Dr. Robert Clark |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1973 |
Charles W. Clutz |
William Buckett |
Dr. Robert Clark |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1974 |
M.C. McQuay |
William Buckett |
Anne McQuay |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1975 |
Thomas Ryan |
Rosabelle Hooten |
Anne McQuay |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1976 |
Edwin Saphar |
James Ferrar |
Anne McQuay |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1977 |
Edwin Saphar |
James Ferrar |
Frances DeFrank |
William VerHoeven |
|
|
1978 |
Edwin Saphar |
Jean Casey |
Frances DeFrank |
William VerHoeven |
|
Social Secretary
1977 Helen Munson
1978 Winnifred Fletcher
Written and presented at the Grove Place Association meeting, April 23, 1978 Lois K. Clutz