Geneva, N.Y.: The Geneva Historical Society will hold its Annual Dinner and Meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Club 86 on Avenue E in Geneva. A social hour with hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. A short business meeting will be held to highlight last year’s activities and elect new officers and trustees. The evening’s speaker will be Chris Lynn, from Genesee Country Village who will speak about the Civil War Union Balloon Corps. The Historical Society will also honor Charles Bauder with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Society is recognizing Charlie for his many contributions to the Historical Society. He was Executive Director of the Geneva Historical Society from 1992 to 2006, and currently volunteers on the Geneva Historical Society Finance, Audit, and Endowment Committees. Charlie is alsos an invaluable help during the Wassail Bowl and Tour of Homes fundraisers. Prior to serving as director, he was a member of the Board of Trustees and held the offices of Treasurer, Vice-president, and President. In 1989, he chaired a capital campaign that raised over $500,000 for the Society’s endowment.
Speaker Chris Lynn is the lead interpreter of the Civil War-era balloon, the Intrepid. The Genesee Country Village and Museum's Intrepid is a 44-foot diameter replica of the Civil War-era gas balloons used by the Union Army. Conceived by Professor Thaddeus Lowe at the beginning of the Civil War, the Balloon Corps was formed in June 1861 and disbanded in 1863. The corps was made up of seven balloons (Intrepid, Constitution, United States, Washington, Eagle, Excelsior and Union) and did aerial reconnaissance for the Union Army.
The dinner is open to the public, but reservations are required. Tickets are $35 per person. Entrée choices are Club 86 baked chicken, bistro steak, and eggplant parmesan. The meal includes soup, salad, roll, dessert, and coffee or tea. There will be a cash bar during the event. Please call the Geneva Historical Society at 315-789-5151 by Tuesday, June 24 to reserve a seat.
