A Promise Kept: Mendon High School Students Unveil Civil War Memorial Years in the Making

Mendon High School students recently unveiled an historic marker in Pittsford Cemetery honoring eight Civil War soldiers buried there. It was the culmination of a project they began seven years ago as fourth-graders at Thornell Road Elementary with their book, “Eight Brave Civil War Soldiers in Pittsford Cemetery.” Joining them in the celebration were Pittsford CSD Superintendent Michael Pero, BOE member René Kazacos, their fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Stevens-Oliver and her current students, Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith, members of the Pittsford American Legion, and the Pittsford Cemetery Association.

During the 2017–18 school year, the students’ class partnered with Pittsford Town Historian Vicki Masters Profitt to write the book. It won the New York State Archives Student Research Award from the NYS Archives Partnership Trust and played a key role in advocating for the installation of the new historic marker.

To celebrate the installation of this historic marker, flowers were planted at the site using part of the award money from the NYS Archives Partnership Trust. Thornell Road Elementary School students also performed a Civil War-era song to honor the occasion. The day stood as a powerful testament to patience, perseverance, and the impact of student-led civic engagement.

View news coverage from the event:

https://13wham.com/news/local/pittsford-students-reunite-as-their-work-leads-to-historic-marker-dedication-in-town-civil-war-soldiers-book-cemetery-thornell-road-elementary

https://www.rochesterfirst.com/pittsford/civil-war-soldiers-buried-in-pittsford-honored-with-marker-dedication/