Historian

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Historian

Email: heritage@middlesexny.org

Phone: 585-554-3607

Office Hours:

Wednesdays 9am to Noon

Mailing Address:

PO Box 147
Middlesex, NY 14507

The Story of Middlesex

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes, Middlesex may appear today as a quiet town, but its story stretches back thousands of years with some of its first inhabitants being the Adena culture, as confirmed by Dr. Arthur Parker.

According to Seneca legend, life for their people began here. On South Hill, known as Nundawao, Clark’s Gully is said to be the sacred place where the first Senecas emerged from the earth and built their earliest village. What was once a vibrant homeland of the Seneca Nation is still carrying their presence today. Middlesex holds the honor of preserving some of their most enduring legends, including an ancient burial ground resting along a peaceful shore of Canandaigua Lake and the Legend of Bare Hill.

Each year, the community pays tribute to this legacy. On Labor Day weekend, Middlesex gathers for Seneca Heritage Day—an afternoon filled with Seneca speakers, stories, and ceremonial dances. As dusk settles, a signal fire is lit atop Bare Hill, sparking the Ring of Fire tradition around Canandaigua Lake, a glowing circle of remembrance, celebration and gratitude for a bountiful harvest season.

When soldiers of the 1779 Sullivan Expedition passed through this region, they marveled at the beauty and fertility of the land. Many returned years later with their families, arriving by covered wagon to begin new lives in a place rich with promise. By 1789, Thomas Maxwell had sold Arnold Potter the land that would become Middlesex. The town was formed in 1796 and was originally named Augusta (also known as Potterstown and Suckerstown), and was formally renamed Middlesex in 1808. The town was originally part of Ontario County until Yates County was formed in 1823, when it then became part of Yates County.

In time, the hamlet of Vine Valley grew along the lake’s edge, welcoming families who built summer cottages or made permanent homes to farm the fertile soil. By the mid-1800s, Middlesex families were experimenting with grapes, thanks in large part to resident Azariah Younglove. His work took root, and soon the hillsides were lined with vineyards. To this day, Middlesex supplies grapes to major wine and fruit corporations around the world, a testament to the land’s enduring bounty.

Though smaller than in its early days, Middlesex remains special. Generations of descendants of both settlers and farmers continue to call it home, cherishing the connection to those who came before.

At the heart of the town, the Middlesex Heritage Group works to keep these stories alive. Located in Town Hall, the group maintains a rich collection of artifacts, historic records, and photographs. Each Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon, the doors open for neighbors and visitors—complete with fresh coffee and homemade cookies. Guests are warmly invited to browse the collection, share memories, and join in preserving the town’s history. Appointments can also be made by emailing the Heritage Group at MiddlesexHeritageGroup@gmail.com.

The Heritage Group is proud to offer former historian Ruth Clark’s book, History and Legends of The Town of Middlesex, available for $20 to members and $25 to non-members. Membership is just $10 a year, helping to support the preservation of Middlesex’s story for future generations.

For the latest updates, events, or information, visit the Middlesex Heritage Group on Facebook.

Historic Places of Interest

  • Bare Hill – The legendary and sacred site where, according to Seneca tradition, a boy defeated a giant snake that once threatened his people. As the creature rolled down the hill to its death in Canandaigua Lake, it stripped the slope bare of trees, leaving behind its name and story.

  • Lehigh Valley Railroad – Originally the Middlesex Valley Railroad, incorporated in 1892, carried coal, farm goods, and supplies across the region. By the mid-1900s, automobiles and highways made railroads less essential, and in the mid-1960s, the branch was dismantled.
  • Overackers Corners School – Built in 1874 and closed in 1938, this one-room school had no electricity or running water, and students kept warm with a round stove in winter. Reopened in 1998 after restoration, it now serves as a local museum and meeting place, lovingly cared for by the Heritage Group.

  • Vine Valley Farm – Part of the original Phelps and Gorham purchase, this farm has been in the Button family since 1885. Now in its fifth generation, it continues to operate as a dairy farm, proudly raising award-winning Brown Swiss dairy cows.

Cemeteries

  • Middlesex Cemetery, founded in 1791, is the final resting place of veterans of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War.
  • Pine Corners Cemetery, established in 1806, holds the graves of eight Revolutionary War veterans.
  • Overackers Cemetery, dating back to 1805, lies across from the Overackers Corners School, and is still carefully maintained today by the Overackers Cemetery Association. It holds the graves of many veterans.

Each December, the Middlesex Heritage Group participates in Wreaths Across America, ensuring that every veteran’s grave in Pine Corners and Overackers cemeteries is honored with a wreath during the holiday season.

Other Places of Interest:

Dudley Poultry

West River

High Tor Wildlife Management Area

Clark’s Gully

Robeson Store and Vine Valley Beach

Middlesex Airport

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