Ellicottville Historical Society

The Sheldon Factory mentioned here was first started in Ellicottville in the 1800s.

https://www.mentleyfuneralhome.com/obitu/Justin-P-Woodarek

If you sent yours in already, great! If not, you'll want to do it soon so you're on the list for the yearly membership letter that goes out in April. You won't want to miss the news!

This post is a dedicating Tribute, to two very wonderful, intelligent, classy blazing trail blazers, who were the Pioneers for Women Skiers in Western New York,... earning them the name of "Matriarchs of Skiing". They are EDNA NORTHRUP & LILLIAN CONGDON. These two adventurous ladies, are the widows of Dr. G. Wilbur Northrup and attorney Richard Congdon. These two incredible ladies became best of friends at an early age, and remained that way until Lillian Congdon passed away on December 11, 2007, at the age of 92 years young. Edna Northrup is still going strong today, at the age of 95 years young. Together, they collaborated together to write a coffee table size book that is 159 page hard covered book, titled, "FOR THE LOVE OF SKIING-OUR STORY OF SKIING IN ELLICOTTVILLE", which is a collection of their shared Memories, dating back to the Beginning of Skiing in Ellicottville, to the present time. Mrs. Congdon taught school in Iran. Upon her return to the United States, she taught English in the Geneseo (N.Y.) School System, in Salamanca schools and, later, at Jamestown Community College. Edna was on Oprah Winfrey’s popular TV show, where she was interviewed by Oprah, for climbing to the Base Camp at Mt. Everest, at the amazing age of 84 years old, where Edna told Oprah, that it was something she always wished to accomplish. I am always amazed whenever I call Edna on the phone, as it seems that she is almost always in various cities around the Country, either doing adventuress things or giving a speech or presentation. But yet, she always takes the time to take my phone call and talk. Edna has done so much in her lifetime, such as being the Mayor of the Village of Ellicottville. She was so popular and well known, that no one ever ran against her. She served in the office of Mayor for eight years, and probably could have continued indefinitely, but I decided it was time to do some of the things I wanted to do and had the time, she says. Then in her 70’s she might have done what most people of that vintage do; take up painting or gardening. But, Edna launched into hiking with her usual enthusiasm. Over the course of four years she hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail; ending up at the 10,000 foot peak of Mt. Katahan in Maine. Her next accomplishment was to reach the summit of the 111 highest peaks on the East Coast. When the paltry peaks of the East Coast proved too easy, Edna set her sights on the big one. Everest. With a son, a daughter and a group of friends in tow, she set out for the base camp. We thought it was maybe 25 miles in and out. But it turned out to 50 miles in and 50 miles out, she says with a laugh. We were only allowed to stay at the base camp for two hours. The base camp is at 18,000 feet, and only the most seasoned high altitude climbers are allowed to go to the summit. Still, at that height most people need oxygen, but not Edna. The group hiked down, and spent the night sleeping at 16,000 feet. It was quite and experience, she now recalls. Edna was 84 years old, when she accomplished this amazing fete. I have had the very sincere pleasure of knowing & being friends with both of these inspirational & remarkable ladies for years. Both of these remarkable role models were members of our Allegany State Park Historical Society, where they have did a wonderful presentation on Skiing, or our ASPHS Organization.

In recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Eldred World War II Museum will be hosting a live presentation via Zoom on January 27th at 1pm. Menachem Etkin ...will be giving the presentation from his home in Israel about his father's survival and resistance during the Holocaust Learn more and register: www.eldredpawwiimuseum.com/zoom See more

The Rotary Club of Ellicottville has again responded to the local needs of the community. The Rotary Club of Ellicottville recently made a contribution to th...e Alley Katz to help with their efforts to keep the Village of Ellicottville beautiful. The Alley Katz meet on Tuesday mornings to plant, weed and clean out the many barrels and hanging baskets that keep our community so attractive. The Rotary Club of Ellicottville also made a donation to support the Ellicottville Historical Society, continuing the club’s tradition of supporting our local heritage and history. Please help us continue to help out other worthy causes in our community by donating here: www.ellicottvillerotary.com See more

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Ellicottville for their recent donation of $250 in support of our work in maintaining and disseminating Ellicottville area historical information. Their generosity in giving local is much appreciated!

Thanks to all who came out! Your participation helped support the society and museum!

This landmark was mentioned on social media a week or so ago.

Dab of History: HOLLAND LAND PURCHASE MAP 1825 - PRE-WYOMING COUNTY. Photo Courtesy of: The State University of New York at Fredonia Special Collections & Archives Divisions; Municipal Archives of Amsterdam and Nederlandse Document Reproductie B.V.

Ellicottville Paranormal Walk will have their last one on Friday, October 30 at 8pm. You can register on the Paranormal walks.com website. We can only have 50 people so if we get 50 reservations than walk ons will be turned away. We meet at the gazebo in Ellicottville at 7:30. Please bring a flashlight and you might need an umbrella. Hope to see you there.