by As someone who’s spent years exploring and writing about Batavia’s rich history—with help from the Genesee County History Department, Ruth M. McEvoy’s The History of the City of Batavia, the Holland Land Office Museum, and the Richmond Memorial Library—I’ve loved blending historical research with personal memories from growing up in this charming Western New York town, nestled not far from the peaceful fields of Wyoming County.
Recently, I found myself reminiscing about the 1960s—especially the TV shows Dr. Kildare and Ben Casey. I can still picture myself sitting in class at St. Joseph’s Elementary School, sneaking a look at a photo of Ben Casey I had taped to the inside of my desk. Let’s just say the nun teaching that day didn’t appreciate my fan-girl moment.
The fashion of the ‘60s and ‘70s was unforgettable. I remember shopping at Metamorphous, a unique little store on Ellicott Street Road that sold the most incredible brushed corduroy bell-bottoms. It felt like a revolution when sneakers started coming in colors beyond white. As a Catholic school kid stuck in uniforms and white socks, I cherished any chance to express my style. I even wore dimes in my penny loafers just to be different.
Liz Taylor blouses with their ruffled fronts were all the rage for girls when we weren’t in uniform. And of course, there were the dances—the Twist, the Mashed Potato, the Swim, the Freddie. Our summers were simple but joyful: swimming in the New Pool, joining city park programs, and dancing under the stars at the Tennis Courts.
Sundays meant 9:15 a.m. children’s Mass at church—no Saturday options back then. With eight kids in our family, we were always rushing. Girls had to wear head coverings, and if you didn’t have a chaplet or mantilla, you’d pin a Kleenex to your head with a bobby pin. I wore plenty of those at St. Joseph’s.
One vivid memory was seeing children from the New York State School for the Blind attending the same Mass. They always sat on the left and walked in small groups to receive communion, guided by a peer and a teacher’s gentle hand. It left a lasting impression on me.
When the Beatles landed in America, everything changed. Beatlemania hit hard in Batavia and Wyoming County alike. After the Fab Four came The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, The Yardbirds—all redefining our soundtracks and our style. Halter tops, cutoff jeans, bell-bottoms, and mini dresses became staples. Boys let their hair grow long; traditional haircuts quickly faded.
One of my most cherished memories is gathering all five of my siblings for a professional portrait at Lawing Studio. We showed up proudly dressed—well, at least we thought so—and presented the photo to our mother on her birthday. Her reaction? Let’s just say she didn’t appreciate the boys’ long hair or their pork chop sideburns. We were stunned! The picture she couldn’t stand became legendary in our family. We’d drag it out on holidays and laugh until we cried.
After our mother passed, we honored her by gathering at Terry Hills Restaurant after her funeral Mass. We posed for the same photo in the exact order we had in the original—this time older, wiser, but still full of love for the woman who raised us.
Now at 75, I know my memories may not always come out in perfect order, but they still bring joy. And I believe many of you share these same moments from life in Batavia and neighboring Wyoming County. Please, share your own stories—I may be growing older, but my memories keep me forever young.
