Submitted Photo Leon celebrated the bicentennial of its first settler in 2018, one of their biggest events of the year.

LEON — The Leon Historical Society brought another year to a close at the iconic 1836 Methodist Church located on Rt. 62 in the town of Leon. Christmas was celebrated with a 19th century Methodist Christmas church service. This particular service was significant as it concluded Leon’s First Settler Bicentennial celebrations.

The Society thanks all its members for their support during the year but a special thanks goes out to the Bicentennial Committee for creating an extraordinary year of celebration of Leon’s two hundredth anniversary. Raised and donated funds enable the Leon Historical Society to do many things throughout the year.

Judy Stevens donated funds for a commemorative sign honoring our first settler, James Franklin. This was proudly displayed in the Leon Hollow Cemetery following a dedication attended by State Senator Catharine Young, State Assemblyman, Joe Giglio, Myra Johnston (a direct descendent of James Franklin) and numerous other Franklin descendants. Johnston also gave a heartfelt speech about the role of men, like her great, great, great grandfather, James Franklin, in the first American wars. All Leon veterans, past and present, were also acknowledged at that time.

Pat Bromley and Donna Snyder were instrumental in the creation and promotion of a coupon booklet sold by members of the Society for additional funds. The funds raised from this endeavor allowed the Society to do many things during the year. Bicentennial banners were purchased through the efforts of Freda Milliman and they were proudly carried by Elizabeth and Zachary Hartwig in the Memorial Day and the Cherry Creek 4th of July parades.

The educational component of the Society was brought to the public with the Pioneer’s Journey Program. Fred Milliman built two amazing replicas of the times. One depicted how the pioneers traveled and the other a settler’s homestead. Tina Scherman took the Journey on tour to the Farnham Library in Ellington, the Prendergast Library in Jamestown, the Randolph Library and the Lakewood Library. Students at the Sinclairville Elementary School and the Pine Valley Elementary School were also able to enjoy and learn from this very educational program. The Society plans to continue to reach out and educate our youth about their heritage as they begin a new year.