Ovid will hold its first Founder's Day celebration Oct. 3 at Three Bears Park, bringing residents together to mark the village's history as it continues to rebuild after a January 2025 fire destroyed businesses and apartments on its main block.
The community event is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. The Ovid Local Development Corporation is organizing it with the Friends of the Three Bears and the Ovid Historical Society & Museum.
The program will recognize the Seeley family, whose ties to Ovid date to February 1792. John Seeley, his wife Eleanora Pease Seeley and their young family arrived after a four-week journey into what was then the western New York frontier, according to the organizers.
The family's connection remains visible at the Three Bears Courthouse complex. Land donated by the Seeleys in 1807 became the site of the courthouse buildings, later constructed with bricks made from soil on the family's farm.
History and rebuilding
The local development corporation is linking that history to current efforts to revive the village after the 2025 block fire. A historical essay by board member Larry Nikula about the Seeley family will be presented during the celebration.
Patricia Allen of Westchester County, a direct descendant of John and Eleanora Seeley, has sponsored a streetside banner honoring her ancestors. The organization launched the banner program in July to raise money to begin rebuilding, and local businesses and families have sponsored 30 banners so far.
The group says the recovery effort is about restoring connections and confidence as well as replacing buildings. The release did not provide a construction timeline or a total raised through the banners.
What visitors can expect
Founder's Day will include recognition of banner sponsors, updates on rebuilding, a courthouse presentation about the Seeley family, a guided walk to the historical society, tours of the Three Bears buildings and light refreshments.
Organizers invite residents to bring family and neighbors to Three Bears Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. More information is available from the Ovid Local Development Corporation at ovidldc.org.
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