Chautauqua County Historical Society

Used as scrap paper in old cookbook.

The latest podcast of WNY History Podcast is now online! Picking up from where we left off last week with the Holland Land Company, this week we get into the specifics of the Chautauqua County Land Bank Riot of 1836, when nearly 300 residents descended upon and destroyed the Holland Land Company office in Mayville, NY. - jason

Today in Chautauqua County History: January 6 1939 - Ground broken for Cassadaga Valley Central School in Sinclairville.

Today in Chautauqua County History: January 5 1970 - The last regular passenger train makes its final stop at the Erie Lackawanna Train Station in Jamestown, NY. (Image from the John Bowman Collection, Chautauqua County Historical Society)

Today in Chautauqua County History: January 4 1940... Robert H. Jackson, whose legal career began in Jamestown, NY, was appointed U.S. Attorney General by President Roosevelt. Source: ... http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/daybyd//january-4th-1940/ See more

Chautauqua County Milk Bottle Books Available for Purchase A graphic design graduate looks at an old bottle and becomes interested in the design of the embossed monogram. Someone else sees their family name on a bottle. Maybe they just like how it looks on the kitchen window sill. Familiar things, interesting things, childhood memories are some of the many reasons people might collect things such as an old milk bottle or two. For some, the history aspect is one of the most ...interesting draws to the hobby. With each passing day, fewer and fewer people are even aware of how milk once came to the table. Coming across a circa 1900s photograph of a horse drawn milk wagon and crew, can lead to an interesting history quest. From information in the photograph, it is obvious that P E Larson had a dairy at 28 Jones Street in Jamestown. An early City of Jamestown directory has him listed with a dairy on Chautauqua Avenue. Seems a bit confusing until a later directory mentions that Chautauqua Avenue was originally named Jones Street. Come to find out, the house is still there, the barn is gone, and a glass milk bottle and cardboard cap have been found. There is an out of print booklet written by Alberta Oonk, that gives the history of many of Chautauqua County Dairies and the glass milk bottles they used. Alberta has graciously permitted the Chautauqua County Historical Society to reprint them in their original form (with additions), and the Society is making them available for a $15 donation. Like many groups, we have been taking a hit to our normal fund raising efforts, so your decision to go ahead and buy a copy, perhaps as a holiday gift, would help us out. Bob Johnston is a trustee with the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Feel free to give him a call with any county dairy information or questions, and hopefully to buy a copy of the book. 716-338-5051. Copies will also be available at the McClurg Museum, Home of the Chautauqua County Historical Society in Westfield, New York, when we are able to open the museum again.

McCLURG MUSEUM TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WESTFIELD, NY (March 16, 2020) - The Chautauqua County Historical Society board of trustees is announcing it is closing the McClurg Museum temporarily, effective immediately until further notice, as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to the temporary closure of the museum, the historical society is also postponing its lecture and presentation on the WCTU in Chautauqua County, o...riginally scheduled for Saturday, March 28 in Fredonia. The society's annual meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 18 in Westfield, has also been cancelled in the interest of public health and safety. The historical society board of trustees will also continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and will provide other updates regarding future programming as the situation continues to unfold. Once public health officials announce it is alright to resume regular operations, the museum will reopen and programming will resume. Any postponed events will also be rescheduled. For additional information, call the museum at 716-326-2977 or email [email protected].

Thanks to Virginia Peterson for sharing those images from 1958.

As we get ready to say goodbye to a very challenging year, we look forward to a hopeful return to normalcy in 2021. You can help us in this effort by making a tax deductible donation to CCHS or by becoming a member! Options for both are available at the bottom of the home page of our website! Thank you for your continued support! #GivingTuesday #LocalHistory #ChautauquaCountyNY

Anyone have any photos of the old Mid-Continent System telephone building in Falconer? It was in operation until about 1984. If so, contact Tom Vaughn, who posted this photo with the attached message.

Hello Friends. Tuesday is #GivingTuesday and we are asking/reminding our members and followers that it's not just a good time to donate to the Chautauqua County Historical Society, but to also renew your membership, start a membership, or buy one as a gift for a friend or family member. More details coming Tuesday!

In case you missed it, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation presented CCHS president Cristie Herbst with its John D. Hamilton Community Service Award last week! Here's a link to the video of the presentation!

Congratulations to our president Cristie Herbst for being announced the recipient of the 2020 John Hamilton Community Service Award from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. CRCF executive director Tory Irgang was recenty at the McClurg Museum to shoot a piece about Cristie and her years of volunteer service to our community. Thank you Cristie from your fellow trustees and members of the Historical Society for your tireless leadership!