Dr. Tom Greer, “Elizabeth Scudder Fenton,” County Legislator Lisa Vanstrom, and County Executive PJ Wendel unveil the new interpretive archaeology signs at the Fenton History Center

The Fenton History Center unveiled new interpretive archaeology signs on its grounds in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Resident Archaeologist Dr. Tom Greer said the Walnut Grove Archaeology Project at the center has been going on for ten years. He said close to 100 volunteers have helped with the dig over that time.

Greer said he worked with former Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling on the language for the three signs, “As far as the signs themselves, they were designed by myself, Noah, and Victoria Parker. I was hoping Victoria would be here today. She’s not feeling well. Cause she did most of the work on this. She did all the graphics, all the layout, she recorded all the videos, and edited the videos that you’ll be able to access on your phone via the QR codes that are on the signs.”

The event coincided with the 198th birthday of Elizabeth Scudder Fenton, who was the second wife of former New York Governor Reuben Fenton.

Center Staff confirmed that Renee Freifeld, who began in the new position on January 10, 2022, has left the organization. No explanation was given for her departure. Freifeld had replaced Noah Goodling, who resigned from the Fenton in December.

He took a job as Project Director for Capacity Lab, a new shared non-profit capacity building initiative housed at both Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

Center Curator Victoria Parker said while the Fenton has a Christmas exhibit every year, they invite people to see the theme of the exhibit which changes, “It’s our interpretation of the North Pole. You’ll see Santa Claus checking his list, some elves at work, and also learn about the history of those things and where we got that story of Santa Claus checking his list. We’ve kind of based our elves on a photo we found from 1873 – a magazine cover of Santa’s Workshop.”

Parker said there will be Candlelight Hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 17th which allows visitors to tour the whole Fenton mansion by candlelight.

Parker said a Holiday open house will then be held Saturday, December 18th, “So we’ll have some extra activities, some games for the kids, make and take craft activities, as well as the holiday exhibit. All of these events are standard admission, so $10 for adults, children age 17 and under and Fenton History Center members are free.”

Parker also shared that the Fenton History Center Board of Directors has named Lisa Goodell as its interim Executive Director.

Goodell is filling in after former ED Noah Goodling resigned December 3rd to take a job as Project Director with the Capacity Lab. A new, permanent director of the Fenton History Center is expected to be hired in early 2022.

Noah Goodling

Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling is stepping down this week.

City Council member and Fenton History Center Board Member Marie Carrubba told City Council on Monday that Goodling has taken another job within Chautauqua County, “It was with deep regret that the board accepted his resignation about a month ago but this is his last week and they’ll be holding an open house for him on Friday to acknowledge his accomplishments over the past four years. He’s really turned the Fenton around and got it in a much better financial position. And he was very dedicated, very committed, and put a lot of time and energy into the Fenton.”

Goodling said he has taken a position as Project Director for the Capacity Lab, “Which is a brand new initiative. It’s being conducted by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the United Ways from the north and south part of the county, the Sheldon Foundation, and the Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation. And basically it’s an initiative to strengthen the non-profit sector across Chautauqua County.”

Goodling said one of the projects he’s most proud of following his four years at the Fenton include making the center more accessible, “Opening up the ADA accessible entry at the end of 2019, that was a huge improvement, I think, to let people know that anybody no matter what your capacity to walk or move is… if you want to come see our programs or see our seasonal exhibits we’re open to you.”

He added the opening of the LGBTQ+ exhibit earlier this year was a major step forward in representing that community’s voice and including them as part of the center’s historical archives.

The Fenton History Center is holding its 16th Annual Saints & Sinners Tours in October. We learn more about that from Executive Director Noah Goodling and Fenton Board Member Rick Lundquist.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley spoke with Marvin Community House Consultant Marlin Casker and Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling about their joint project to bring QR-code self-guided tours to their facilities.

“We wanted to come up with an idea that let people still experience the Fenton History Center and Marvin House and get all that rich, great history but without that guide breathing in your face.”
Goodling says QR codes are like a bar code that you use your phone camera to scan and read,

“It’ll link to somewhere on our website that contains additional content. So for the Fenton, if you walk into our orientation room and you scan the QR code in there you’ll get some introductory history about the Fenton mansion, about the Fenton family, about the history of Jamestown, you’ll get some extra pictures you’ll get some extra text, just give you a little bit more enriching history about what we’re offering.”

Marvin Community House Consultant Marlin Casker said a docent guide had been developed in the year before the pandemic,

“It changed from being a docent-led tour to being a self-guided tour, so we had to make a transition from paper to a voice. And so when you go through the house and listen to the presentation you’ll hear two people reading a text that sounds as if you’re joining Robert and Elizabeth on a tour of their house.”

Casker added that the paper version of the tour also will be available to visitors of the Marvin House.
Goodling says one of the main impetuses for the Fenton and Marvin House to start this program was to get more motor coach and bus tours interested in scheduling tours to the area.

The Marvin Community House and Fenton History Center will have a promotion for Saturdays in May where if you mention the promotion, you can receive entry to both attractions for ten dollars.

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Noah Goodling, director of Fenton History Center, and Julia Ciesla-Hanley, communications coordinator for Jamestown Pride, to share details about the upcoming exhibit at the Fenton that focuses on the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Jamestown and Chautauqua County.

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Julia Ciesla-Hanley from Jamestown Pride and Noah Goodling from the Fenton History Center about an online event to celebrate “National Coming Out Day” on Sunday, October 11th.

The event will feature local members of the LGBTQIA+ community sharing their stories about themselves with a moderator that will be live-streamed in a Zoom webinar, courtesy of the Robert H. Jackson Center. The stories shared will be added to an exhibit the Fenton History Center is compiling on the history about Chautauqua County’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Members of Jamestown Pride’s National Coming Out Day Organizing Committee – Pride Outreach Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley, Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling, Robert H. Jackson Center President Kristan McMahon, & Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County Executive Director Steven Cobb

Members of Jamestown Pride’s National Coming Out Day Organizing Committee – Pride Outreach Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley, Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling, Robert H. Jackson Center President Kristan McMahon, & Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County Executive Director Steven Cobb

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Pride and the Fenton History Center have announced an online event to celebrate “National Coming Out Day” on Sunday, Oct. 11.

The event will feature local members of the LGBTQIA+ community sharing their stories about themselves with a moderator that will be livestreamed in a Zoom webinar, courtesy of the Robert H. Jackson Center. The stories shared will be added to an exhibit the Fenton History Center is compiling on the history about Chautauqua County’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Jamestown Pride Coordinator Sheridan Smith said, “National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other people to ‘coming out of the closet.’ The foundational belief is that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance, and that once people know that they have loved ones who are LGBTQIA+, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views.”

“With not being able to have the large Pride event we planned in June, we wanted to do something for the community that opened the door to talking more openly about our experiences. We thank the Robert H. Jackson Center for donating the technology, facility, and assistance in making this a reality,’ Smith added.

Those interested in attending the Jamestown Pride’s National Coming Out Day online webinar may register online.

Smith said, “We’re also looking for those who are interested in sharing their story at the live event. We are live streaming the story presenters from Robert H. Jackson’s theatre space on Oct. 11. Proper health and safety guidelines will be in place for this including mask wearing and disinfecting procedures.” Smith added there are a limited number of spaces for presenters and those interested should email JamestownPride @ mhachautauqua.org their interest by October 4.

The stories shared on Oct. 11 will be added to the Fenton History Center’s archives on the local LGBTQIA+ community being developed thanks to grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Greater Hudson Heritage Network.

Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling said, “We found there is a large gap in our historical knowledge about the LGBTQIA+ community in Jamestown and the larger area, so we decided it was time to rectify that issue. We are currently collecting anything that may represent the experience of growing up or living in Chautauqua County as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. This could be a story, poem, picture, video, or other items.” Goodling said people may submit experiences through the Center’s website at FentonHistorycenter.org, email director @ fentonhistorycenter.org, or drop off physical items during business hours at the Center located at 67 Washington Street, Jamestown, New York. The exhibit is planned to be opened to the public in early 2021.

The National Coming Out Day event is being made possible by Jamestown Pride operating under the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County, Fenton History Center, Robert H. Jackson Center, and Prevention Works/Hope Chautauqua.

“We are always happy to host community events, especially those that provide opportunities for meaningful conversation and paths to understanding,” said Kristan McMahon, president of the Robert H. Jackson Center.

For more information about the National Coming Out Day Event, contact Pride Outreach Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley at (716) 450-8765. For information about the LGBTQIA+ exhibit at the Fenton History Center, contact Executive Director Noah Goodling at (716) 664-6256.