Laona, New York

Laona is a hamlet in Chautauqua County, New York, United States, near the village of Fredonia. It is part of the town of Pomfret, New York and New York State Route 60 runs through it.

Laona has been an area of importance to Spiritualist groups since the mid-19th century. Spiritualism began there in the winter of 1844-45 and over the next several years, a number of mediums converged there. The Laona Free Association organized soon after 1850 and the First Spiritualist Society of Laona was formed in 1855. [http://www.townofbusti.com/chaut_lake.html] [http://www.deltahousepress.com/] Another organization based there was the Laona Free Thinkers Association. [http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2005/06/04/AR2005060400619.html]

The American composer Alan Hovhaness visited Laona and composed two works inspired by the hamlet: "Laona" (for piano) and "Dawn at Laona", Op. 153 (cantata for low voice and piano).

External links

* [http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2005/06/04/AR2005060400619.html Article about Laona]

ee also

*Lily Dale