Local History

ESTELLE SMITH

Dates of Interview:
June 7, 1984

Location of Interview:
Henrietta, NY

Interviewer:
Cynthia Goldstein

Length of Transcript:
17 pages

Biographical Summary
Estelle Smith was born in February 1913 in Henrietta, NY.  Ms. Smith graduated from Monroe High School in 1930.  Ms. Smith’s maiden name is Peets, of who descendants were early settlers of Henrietta.     Estelle Smith died on October 8, 1998.

Interview Highlights
Smith speaks about her family history and how they were early settlers and farmers in Henrietta, NY.   Ms. Smith reflects on her childhood in Henrietta, NY, as well as reports the highlights of the political and social climate relating to the growth in Henrietta from a rural to suburban community.  Her commentary provides information about daily life, including recreational activities, the introduction of electricity in homes, and farming. 

Interview Excerpt
“In my early life every Wednesday we would go downtown.  And, if we went with the horse we would park it – uh, leave the horse in West Brighton and go downtown, and I can remember my father would go his way and my mother and I would go our way.  And before we came home we would go down on Front Street, and that was where all the meat markets were.  There was Andrew’s, Fay’s and then we would also go to the Duffy/Powers store.  That is located on West Main Street.  That is where R. I. T. has their school now.” (p. 14)

About the Henrietta Oral History Project