Chautauqua County Historical Society’s McClurg Museum

The Chautauqua County Historical Society’s annual gala will take place this Saturday, June 10 in Westfield.

The gala features dinner and refreshments from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McClurg Museum, located in Westfield’s Moore Park.

The event will include commemorating the McClurg Mansion‘s 200th anniversary as well recent structural improvements made to the building.

The 140th anniversary of CCHS, which was founded in 1883, will also be highlighted during the gala. The CCHS is one of the oldest historical organizations in western New York.

A formal dedication of the museum’s library as the Nixon Research Library also will be held at the event. The designation honors the long-standing efforts of Samuel F. Nixon and his descendants to collect and preserve significant elements of county history. They were also key to saving the McClurg mansion from demolition and renovating it to be a museum and home of CCHS.

Tickets to the event are $50 and are available by calling CCHS at 716-326-2977 or by email at info@cchs.mcclurg.org.

Re-enactors portraying President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as Lincoln’s aide-de-camp, descend the front steps of McClurg Museum.

The Chautauqua County Historical Society will host “An Evening With the Lincolns” for its annual fundraising gala this Saturday, September 10.

The event will feature portrayals of President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln by Ron and Tina Carley of Westland, Michigan. Carley has appeared as President Lincoln at history-related events and in classrooms.

The gala will be held during the 9th New York Cavalry Civil War reenactment in Moore Park. Re-enactors will set up camp during the late afternoon or early evening on Friday, September 9, and offer living history throughout the weekend on September 10 and 11.

The reenactment weekend also includes demonstrations of camp living, weapon tactics, and period craft making.

The fundraiser takes place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the McClurg Museum in Westfield. Tickets are $50, with proceeds benefiting the Chautauqua County Historical Society. For more information, call the museum at 716-326-2977.

The Saturday, July 16 interview sessions will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Interview topics will include:
– Memories of Chautauqua Lake: Beaches, Boating, Communities, etc.
– The Construction of I-86 and the Chautauqua Lake Veterans Memorial Bridge
– Boat Races on Chautauqua Lake
– Chautauqua County Music Venues & Musicians: Part 1
– Bill Clinton’s Visit to Chautauqua County (and other Presidents / Vice Presidents)

Pre-registration for those who want to participate is required. Participants may sign up for a 20-minute interview session at the Bemus Historical Society located at 13 Alburtus Avenue in Bemus Point.
You also may register by emailing WRFA@RegLenna.com with “I Remember” in the subject line or calling 716.664.2465 ext. 209.

More Information about the project can be found at www.WRFALP.com/IRemember.

The “I Remember” oral history project focuses on local residents who want to serve as primary sources on a variety of historical topics from the Jamestown and Chautauqua Region. The residents will be interviewed and portions of those interviews will then run in a series of audio and video programs that will be broadcast on the local airwaves and also streamed online, starting in September 2022.

Funded through a Community Action Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, as well as from additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the “I Remember” project has a goal of interviewing at least 100 different individuals and providing 25 hours of audio and video programming in its first year.

All unedited interviews will also be transcribed and donated to the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the Fenton History Center for their archives

The free presentation is sponsored by the Chautauqua County Historical Society and features local historian and author Fletcher Ward.

It takes place at 7:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Fire Hall on 3590 Daily Hill Road in Kennedy.

In Ward’s book, Last Raft: Timbering Chautauqua’s Virgin Watershed, he describes how the lumber industry has been an integral part of the county’s history, from the selling of the first property by the Holland Land Company in the early 1800s through today.

Ward is also the author of Chautauqua’s Largest Fish, Chautauqua’s Muskies, Chautauqua’s Great Race, The History of Chris Craft’s Jamestown Division, and The History of Chautauqua Lake’s Ice Industry.

Project will launch in June with a goal of interviewing 100 area residents

JAMESTOWN, NY – Area residents who want to share their memories to help chronicle local history in Chautauqua County will get a chance to do so later this year.

WRFA-LP in is launching an oral history program that will allow Chautauqua County residents to provide their first-hand accounts of people, places, industries and events from our region’s rich past.

The “I Remember” oral history project will begin with a series of interview sessions starting in June, and local residents who want to serve as primary sources on a variety of historical topics are encouraged to participate. The interviews will then run in a series of audio and video programs that will be broadcast on the local airwaves and also streamed online.

“As a former trustee with the Chautauqua County Historical Society, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of documenting first-hand accounts of everyday people who’ve experienced, lived and witnessed our local history,” explained Jason Sample, WRFA general manager, adding, “That’s why this project is so important for our county.”

Funded through a Community Action Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, as well as from additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant, the “I Remember” project has a goal of interviewing at least 100 different individuals and providing 25 hours of audio and video programming in its first year. All interviews will also be transcribed and donated to the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the Fenton History Center for their archives.

“We’ve already established a committee of local historians to help us identify topics to focus on for this year,” Sample said. “Starting in June, we’ll schedule a series of interview sessions and invite community members to meet with us and share their memories of a particular topic or topics.”

Partnering with WRFA on the project is Kipp Reynolds from Kranky Plate Productions, who will help to document each interview. Conducting the majority of interviews will be Dan Swackhammer, a long-time resident of Jamestown who has a past history of working on a similar project. In 1986, Swackhammer produced and directed an hour long video documentary in conjunction with the Jamestown Centennial entitled ‘A Century of Life- A Century of Living in which he interviewed residents born in the 1800’s as well as local historians.

FIRST INTERVIEW SESSION IS JUNE 4

The first interview session for the I Remember project is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the James Prendergast Library. Specific topics for the June 4 session include: Brooklyn Square & Urban Renewal; the Kent Mansion, including its time as the Scottish Consistory and also the transition to the Robert H. Jackson Center; Jamestown General Hospital; Jamestown Community College from 1950 to 1990; and the development and early history of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festivals.

Other sessions, which will focus on other topics, will also take place on June 25 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts; July 16 at a location to be determined in Bemus Point; and August 13 again at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Other dates and locations for future months will also be announced.

WRFA is asking anyone who wishes to be interviewed for the project during any upcoming session can reach out via email at WRFA@RegLenna.com with “I Remember” in the subject line. You can also call (716) 664-2465 ext. 209. More information can also be found online at WRFALP.com/IRemember.

Once enough interviews have been collected, WRFA will launch the first episode, tentatively scheduled for September 2022.

“This is going to be a very exciting project and we are looking forward to not only hearing the stories and memories of people who’ve lived and experienced our local history, but also sharing it with the greater Chautauqua Community,” Sample said. “I cannot express enough how excited we are to see this project launch and usher it forward!”

Comments, questions, or suggestions about the project can be directed to Sample using the above contact information.

ABOUT: Founded in 2004, WRFA-LP is a noncommercial, listener supported, low power FM radio station licensed to the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts and broadcasting at 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY.  As a radio station licensed to a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, all financial donations/contributions made to WRFA are 100% tax deductible. Businesses and organizations can also provide corporate underwriting for WRFA by making a tax-deductible contribution of $100 or more.

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County Humane Society’s (CCHS) 16th annual Pennies 4 Paws campaign kicks off February 12 and runs through the end of April. This campaign benefits the animals at CCHS by providing funds towards their essential care and rehabilitation as they wait to meet their adoptive families.

Community support also helps keep local animals at home with their loving families.

CCHS Director of Community Relations Brian Papalia says, “It’s important to support those animals that need just a little boost to stay with the family that they know and love. We would rather have them there, than with us at the shelter.”

For more information on the Pennies 4 Paws campaign, or to get involved, please visit CHQHumane.org or call 716-665-2209 ext. 213.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to improve and save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals, and commitment to the community.

According to the Chautauqua County Health Department’s COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of known active cases as of Wednesday was 379,  34 more cases than what had been reported for Tuesday. There were also 20 people hospitalized in the county who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 – one higher than the previous day. And the 7-day Average Positive rate for the entire county was 6.2% – the same as it was for Tuesday.

Of the 61 new cases from Wednesday, 17 were out of Jamestown. The total number of active cases in Jamestown was 91, by far the highest in the county. The next highest total of active cases was based out of Fredonia with 45, followed by Mayville with 44 and then Dunkirk with 37. Both Bemus Point and Silver Creek each had 17 active cases, while both Lakewood and Falconer each had 15 active cases. Rounding out the top ten list for communities with the highest number of active cases was Forestville with 14, followed by Frewsburg with 11.

As of Wednesday, there’s been a total of 2,193 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic, with 1,792 of them now listed as recovered. There’s also now been 22 deaths, according to the health department.

Meanwhile in Cattaraugus County, health officials there report 521 active COVID cases and 25 hospitalizations where a person has tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, there’s been 32 deaths. The average positivity rate is 7.1 percent.

The Lincoln Festival this weekend in Westfield includes several appearances by Ron Carley and his wife Tina, portraying President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. The festival coincides with the weekend-long 9th NY Cavalry encampment. (image courtesy of Ron Carley’s Facebook page)

WESTFIELD – The annual tradition of the 9th NY Cavalry encampment is once again ready to take place in Westfield’s Moore Park, with a very special guest scheduled to make several appearances over the weekend.

Members of the 9th NY Cavalry and invited guests will present “Standing Ground: a Civil War Living History Event in Westfield.” Reenactors will set up camp late afternoon/early evening on Friday, June 7 and offer living history throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9.

In addition to the regularly scheduled events, President Abraham Lincoln will also be on hand as part of the Lincoln Festival, featuring Lincoln impersonator Ron Carley and his wife Tina as President Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln.

The festival will include a pancake breakfast and lunch with Lincoln. There will also be a beard contest, look-alike contest, and a recreation of the meeting of Grace Bedell and the President during his inauguration trip to Washington DC, which included a stop in Westfield.

President Lincoln will also be touring the village and spending time in Moore Park where the NY 9th Cavalry encampment is taking place. As part of his visit he is expected to be doing a troop inspection.

President Lincoln will also do a speech from the steps of the McClurg Museum prior to the Chautauqua County Historical Society’s annual Gala Fundraiser.

PRESENTATION ON 72nd INFANTRY SLATED FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Rick Barram

The encampment will also include a special lecture/presentation by author Rick Barram, who will come to Westfield from his home in California to discuss his research and book on the 72nd New York Infantry regiment, which was formed in Chautauqua County. The lecture will take place Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m. inside St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located next to the park.

Barram’s book – “The 72nd New York Infantry in the Civil War: A History and Roster” (McFarland publishing, 2014) – focuses on the men who fought and died in the 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.

“Half the companies within the 72nd came out of Chautauqua County, these were generally well educated men from supportive families, often with a militia background. This contrasted greatly from the New York City men, who were often gutter sweeps who choose military service over prison,” Barram notes.

The 72nd New York was part of Major Gen. Daniel Sickles’ “Excelsior Brigade”, which served in all the major actions associated with the III Corps. The regiment lost one-fourth or more of its members in engagements that included Williamsburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.

Drawing on soldier’s letters, diaries, memoirs (many unpublished or obscure) and official reports, Barram’s book follows the men of the 72nd New York from the exciting beginnings of recruitment, the boredom and frustrations of life policing the secessionist countryside of Southern Maryland, through to the eventual disbanding of the regiment in July of 1864.

Barram teaches Social Studies and Theater Arts at Central Valley High School in Northern California. A long-time student of history, he also enjoys Civil War reenacting. His articles have appeared in America’s Civil War magazine, both covering the Excelsior Brigade. He lives in Red Bluff, California.

Civil War reenactors will be in Westfield’s Moore Park and June 8 and 9 for a living history event presented by the 9th NY Cavalry, free and open to the public.

“It was through my reenacting experience that we choose to portray the 72nd many years ago,” Barram explains. “There were a series of happy circumstances that led us to the 72nd and it was after that, that I began to research this regiment and appreciate its role in the war.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a copy of Barram’s book at the event.

Following his lecture, members of the 9th NY Cavalry will continue the annual tradition of reading Civil War letters from local enlisted men. The event is free and open to the public.

GALA FUNDRAISER IS SATURDAY NIGHT

The Chautauqua County Historical Society is also inviting its members and the community to help support the preservation of local history by attending its annual fundraiser and gala on Saturday night.

The Gala will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the historic McClurg Museum in Westfield’s Moore Park – located at the corner of Routes 394 and 20 in the village.

The fundraiser will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting, along with musical entertainment provided by the dynamic folk duo of Russell and Hamels (Doc Hamels and Will Russell).

Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the McClurg Museum and learn more about the numerous renovations that have taken place during the past several months. A special new exhibit will also be unveiled featuring the local soldiers of Chautauqua County who served in the NY 72nd Infantry regiment during the Civil War.

The McClurg Museum in Moore Park, Westfield.

Because it is a fundraiser, admission for the June 8 Gala is $50 per person. All proceeds go to support operations at the Chautauqua County Historical Society, including the ongoing renovation efforts at the historic McClurg Museum.

For tickets and reservations, call (716) 326-2977 or contact any member of the Chautauqua County Historical Society’s board of trustees.

CIVIL WAR CHURCH SERVICE ON SUNDAY

Also taking place at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 10 will be an authentic “Civil War Service” – with the sermon, selected hymns, and other related activities patterned after what a service would have been like had it taken place at a church when the Civil War was actually underway. The special Civil War Service will begin at 10 a.m. and all members of the public are invited to attend.

In addition to the 9th NY Cavalry, which is hosting the event, other reenactment groups will also be on hand.

The encampment, along with all other related events except for the Gala, is free and open to the public.

President Lincoln’s appearance is made possible by the Historical Society, St. Peters Episcopal Church, Patterson Library, YWCA, Lake Shore Center for the Arts, Westfield Beautification, 9th NY Calvary, and the Westfield Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

Sunday, Nov. 11 will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I – at the time called “The Great War” or the “War to End all Wars.”

In Jamestown, Local veterans groups will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Park on W. Third Street.

Later in the morning just before 11 a.m., representatives from the VFW and the American Legion Ira Lou Spring Post 149 will meet at the corner of Third and North Main Streets. The JHS Band will be on hand to play the national anthem, with taps scheduled to play at 11:11 a.m.

As part of the event, Third St. between Cherry and Pine Streets, along with Main Street between 2nd and 4th streets will be closed to traffic.

A service is also scheduled to take place at approximately 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Local veteran Clyde Card, who is also a member of St. Luke’s will be the speaker for the remembrance service, which begins immediately following the regularly scheduled 10am Sunday service at the traditional time of 11:11 a.m.

Later in the day, the Chautauqua County Historical Society will partner with historians from various towns and communities across the county to present a special Veterans Day event in Fredonia.

In an effort to focus on the impact WWI had on the local home front, Michelle Henry, Chautauqua County historian and Chautauqua County Historical Society trustee; and Todd langworthy, Pomfret historian, are coordinating a special centennial celebration of Armistice Day at the Fredonia Opera House that will feature local municipal historians sharing stories about World War I from the county’s various communities.

The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday and is open to the public.

JCC professor Traci Langworthy (left) and Dr. Shannon Risk of Niagara University

BEMUS POINT – The Chautauqua County Historical Society, in partnership with the Bemus Point Historical Society, will present a special lecture on the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in New York State on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. at Bemus Point United Methodist Church (4954 Bemus – Ellery Rd, Bemus Point, NY).

Traci Langworthy, Historian and Jamestown Community College Professor, will join Dr. Shannon Risk, Niagara University History Professor, in a joint presentation outlining the women’s suffrage movement in New York State, which began in the mid-19th century and continued until women in the state were finally given the right to vote in 1917. Risk and Langworthy will also spend time focusing on notable suffragists and organizations that took root here in Western New York and Chautauqua County.

In addition to the presentation by Risk and Langworthy, a special reenactment will also take place featuring actual remarks that were made at the time by notable anti-suffragists, as presented by local actor Robert Terreberry, with a rebuttal that was originally prepared by suffragist Ophelia Griffith of the Fluvanna Political Equality Club, as portrayed by reenactor Kimberly Peterson Bentley.

Another highlight of the day’s event will be opening remarks from New York State Senator Catherine Young, whose 57th Senate District includes Chautauqua County. Chautauqua County Historical Society President and former editor of the Jamestown Post-Journal Cristie Herbst will host the event and welcome attendees.

“With 2017 serving as the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in New York State, we thought it fitting to have an event to focus on this important anniversary,” explains Jason Sample, Chautauqua County Historical Society trustee and programming committee chair. “Our county played a prominent role in the women’s suffrage movement and we look forward to sharing some of those details with attendees during this very special event.”

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) will also be on hand as a “friends of the event” to provide literature and details on its organization.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Historical Society at (716) 326-2977 or email CCHS@McClurgMuseum.org.