Next Medina tour will follow interpretive signs

Photos by Tom Rivers  – This interpretive panel highlights the historic downtown district in Medina. It is one of 11 panels that were installed recently in the downtown in a project spearheaded by the Orleans Renaissance Group.

MEDINA – The annual historical tours by the Medina Sandstone Society typically draw a good-size crowd interested in Medina history, whether its downtown buildings, Boxwood Cemetery or other locations.

This year’s tour will be on Aug. 9, coinciding with the inaugural Sweets in Summer event planned by the Medina Business Association and also two canal concerts.

The Sweets event will feature businesses serving up chocolate, ice cream and cookies from 1 to 5 p.m. A farmers’ market will also have honey and maple syrup.

The Sandstone Society will lead a tour beginning at 2 p.m. in front of City Hall. Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin and Medina Historian Todd Bensley will lead the tour, stopping at 11 panels that highlight Medina history. The tour should last until about 3:30 p.m.

A panel in front of City Hall tells about the history of Medina Fire Department.

Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association, has a panel in front of her business, The English Rose Tea Shoppe at 527 Main St., that panels discusses immigration and its role in Medina.

“People stop and read it all the time,” Robinson said.

She sees people looking the other 10 panels as well.

“When people come into town they’re very interested about the history,” Robinson said. “We don’t have people who can take you on a historical tour. This way they can wander around town and do their own tour.”

The Medina Business Association wants to develop map with the sign locations.

Following the historical tour, there will be two bands performing in the Canal Basin from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.