This summer ALHS is celebrating the completion of the front porch of the historic Patrick Tavern. Some 30 years ago the old (c.1900) porch was torn off due to a deteriorated condition. At the time, it was most pressing to stabilize the 1793 structure and rehabilitate it for use as a community historical and cultural resource. Restoration of the porch had to wait until now.

Using old photographs and the memories of residents, plans for the porch were drawn up by historic preservation architect Jennifer Ahrens of Bero Architecture in Rochester, NY in early 2025. Because the porch encroaches onto NYS Highway land (roads are wider than in 1793) a permit to occupy the area of the former porch was next acquired. Construction was begun in late 2025 by Aurora craftsman-builder Jeff Koehn of Yesteryears Restoration. Using local black locust timber (known for its resistance to rot) should help preserve the porch for a good long time.

This careful reconstruction project was made possible by a generous grant to the Historical Society by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation in early 2025. This gift is but the latest in a history of generous support Ms. Rowland has given to the Historical Society to help save, preserve, and give new life to this oldest existing building in Aurora.

On August 5th the Historical Society had the pleasure of hosting Ms Rowland at Patrick Tavern. At this small reception a plaque was unveiled gratefully honoring Ms Rowland for her generous support over the years. She explained it best when she told the gathering that she has had a special place in her heart for Aurora ever since she arrived in the Village to attend Wells College. With warm thanks, greetings, and fond memories being exchanged all around, the current museum exhibit, “Our Home - How We Saw It,” provided a most fitting accompaniment to the occasion.

The past rehabilitation of the historic Patrick Tavern has also been supported by the Cayuga County Community Fund, the Preservation League of New York State with the New York State Council on the Arts, the Village of Aurora, and many individual donors. AND it is not over yet! Please look for further work to rehabilitate and upgrade the East side entrance and lawn area in the coming 1-2 years, thanks to the award of a generous grant from New York State ’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.