Museums and History
Chautauqua County's unique character owes much to its Victorian heritage as well as to the sons and daughters who bring international recognition to our little towns. Visit a National Historic Landmark within the gates of the Chautauqua Institution or see grand historic residences at the McClurg Museum, the D.R. Barker Museum, and the Governor Fenton History Center. Learn about the fascinating and diverse work of Lucille Ball, Robert H. Jackson, or Roger Tory Peterson. Discover lighthouses, local culture, war influences and more at museums throughout Chautauqua County.
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Alco-Brooks Railroad Display
| 1089 Central Ave Dunkirk
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NY 14048
716.366.3797
www.railroad.net/dkny/display/html
Located on the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk. Railroad displays, locomotive and museum. Open Saturdays & Daily during the Fair.
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Bemus Point Historical Museum
| 13 Alburtus Ave Bemus Point
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NY 14712
716.386.2274
Bemus Point & Chautauqua Lake memorabilia, photos, genealogy information for the Town of Ellery, Bemus Point & Chautauqua Lake.
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Busti Historical Society & Busti Grist Mill
| 3443 Lawson Road Jamestown
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NY 14701
716.483.0134
www.townofbusti.com
Historic water turbine Grist Mill built in 1839, open for tours by appointment only and home of the Busti Apple Festival held annually the last Sunday of September. Open by appointment.
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Chautauqua County Historical Society
| P. O. Box 7 Village Park, Rts. 394 & 20 Westfield
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NY 14787
326-2977
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D. R. Barker Historical Museum
| 7 Day St Fredonia
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NY 14063
716.672.2114
www.barkermuseum.net
Located in historic village of Fredonia, this 1820 Brick Victorian museum has both permanent and temporary exhibits on display, including a restored "Victorian Parlor" with a working pump organ and the Children's Museum.
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Dart Airport Air Museum
| 6167 Plank Road P.O. Box 211 Mayville
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NY 14757
716.753.2160
www.dartairport.com
Complete aviation museum with a large display of aircraft, engines, models and memorabilia. Museum open May 1 to Nov. 1; Tue - Sun 10 AM-5 PM. Also, glider rides, airplane rides, flight instruction.
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Depot Museum
| 16 Water Street Mayville
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NY 14757
716.753.7535
Museum at Lakeside Park in Mayville that highlights the Ice Harvesting Industry of Chautauqua Lake, steam boating & furniture making, and features the first voting machine. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Fri, Sat & Sun from 1 -5 PM.
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Dunkirk Historic Lighthouse
| 1 Lighthouse Dr., P. O. Box 69 Dunkirk
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NY 14048
716.366.5050
www.dunkirklighthouse.com
Historical site with a working lighthouse. The 61-ft tower still has its original third order Fresnel lens. The light's 27-mile range makes Dunkirk one of the most prominent on Lake Erie with an exentensive collection of military & maritime artifacts.
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Dunkirk Historical Society & Museum
| 513 Washington Avenue Dunkirk
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NY 14048
716.366.3797
Museum focusing on the unique history of Dunkirk. Includes Railroad industry information, and a Victorian parlor. Genealogy library. Open all year, Mon-Fri, from 1PM to 4 PM, or by appointment.
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Fenton History Center
| 67 Washington St Jamestown
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NY 14701
716.664.6256
www.fentoryhistorycenter.org
1863 Italianate villa, former mansion of NYS Governor Ruben Fenton; period rooms, local history exhibits, reference & genealogy library, and education programs.
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Findley Lake Nature Center
| 3039 Route 426, Box 634 Findley Lake
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NY 14736
716.769.7610
The Nature Center features a 10-acre marsh with a variety of wetland plants and animals. An active beaver colony has created at least one lodge and two active dams on the site, one of which stretches across the mouth of the wetland. Website Info
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Findley Lake-Mina Historical Society
| 2882 North Road P.O. Box 522 Findley Lake
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NY 14736
716.769.7592
Located in the Old Elementary School - Now the Town Hall on North Road (CR3).
Open Saturdays 9am-12pm
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French Creek Historical Society
| 1844 Mann Road Clymer
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NY 14767
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Graycliff Conservency
| 6472 Old Lake Shore Road P.O. Box 823 Derby
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NY 14047
716.947.9217
www.graycliff.bfn.org
Graycliff stands as an architectural jewel awaiting your discovery. In nearby Derby south of Buffalo on Lake Erie. Graycliff was built between 1926 and 1927 and was designed by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
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Hanover Historical Center
| 68 Hanover Street Silver Creek
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NY 14136
716.934.0869
Town of Hanover history, files, records, artifacts and library.
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Harmony Historical Society Museum
| 1943 Open Meadows Rd Blockville Ashville
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NY 14710
782-3074
Historical museums featuring an 1840's rural home with carriage barn and an 1890 school house, and weaving building. Open all year, Tuesday 10 AM - 2 PM or by appointment.
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Lincoln - Bedell Statue
| Intersection Route 394 & 20 Westfield
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NY 14787
A statue, erected in 1999 in Westfield, NY in what is now known as the Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park. This interesting park showcases unique, bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the girl who suggested that he grow a beard for his presidential campaign.
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Lucille Wright Air Museum
| 3163 Airport Drive Jamestown
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NY 14701
664-9500
Helicopter and airplane displays, training aids, airport operational facilities. Youth-oriented programs. Open all year by appointment.
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Lucy-Desi Museum/Desilu Playhouse
| 2-10 W. Third St Jamestown
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NY 14701
716.484.0800
www.lucy-desi.com
Devoted to the "I Love Lucy" TV series. Complete re-creations of Lucy & Ricky Ricardo's NY City apartment & the Hollywood hotel suite, plus a screening area, and showcases filled with vintage memorabilia as well as costumes that were worn on the show.
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McClurg Museum
| Main St & Route 394 Westfield
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NY 14787
326-2977
www.mcclurgmuseum.org
A 14-room Federal-style mansion, nestled within the Westfield village green, surrounded by majestic shade trees & manicured lawns, is a unique learning experience for children and adults alike. Offering a rare glimpse of life in Chautauqua County.
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Midway State Park Museum
| 4859 Route 430 Bemus Point
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NY 14712
716.386.3165
www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/167/details.aspx
Photos, antiques and memorabilia of the history of Chautauqua Lake and the 16th oldest continually operating amusement park in the nation.
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Ripley Veteran's Roll of Honor Monument
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Robert H. Jackson Center Inc.
| 305 E. Fourth St Jamestown
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NY 14701
www.robertjackson.org
Located in a restored 1859 mansion, the Jackson Center provides event-based education for youth, law-related education, lectures, symposiums, publications. Film & video room, archive center, WWII liberation poster exhibit; Nuremberg Trial photo exhibit.
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Seneca Iroquois National Museum
| 252 Rochester Street 814 Broad St Salamanca
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NY 14779
716.945.1760
www.senecamuseum.org
Experience the proud culture and history of the Seneca and other Iroquois Nations of New York & the Northeast. Located on the Allegany Reservation of the Seneca Nation: The Keepers of the Western Door.
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Sheridan Historical Society
| 2702 Route 20 Sheridan
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NY 14135
716.672.2201
Sheridan Historical Society - Sheridan artifacts & memorabilia including items from Grange. Info available for researchers.
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Silver Creek Historical Center
| 172 Central Avenue Silver Creek
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NY 14136
716.934.3240
www.silvercreekny.com
Located on the south shores of Lake Erie in the Town of Hanover, Chautauqua County, New York.
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Smith Memorial Library
| Chautauqua Institution 21 Miller Avenue Chautauqua
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NY 14722
716.357.6296
www.ciweb.org/library
The Smith Library is located on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution. Open all year with research history and genealogy.
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Town of Chautauqua Historical Society
| 2 Academy St. Mayille
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NY 14757
716.753.7144
Located in the Depot Museum, with exhibits focusing on the Town of Chautauqua and Chautauqua Lake, ice harvesting, furniture manufacturing and steamboating.

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Valley Historical Museum
| Main Street P.O. Box 1045 Sinclaiville
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NY 14782
716.962.8520
Exhibits a the museum reflect early settler life & industries, featuring butter, cheese, & maple syrup production. Quilts, clothing, spinning wheel, swift loom, farm machinery and tools on display.Also records from area churches, schools, stores & farms.
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Warren County Historical Society
| P. O. Box 427 210 Fourth Street Warren
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PA 16365
814.723.1795
www.warrenhistory.org
The official historical society for Warren County, located in the historic Struthers-Wetmore-Schimmelfeng House, featuring exhibits, period rooms, historical photographic and print resources, plus genealogy materials
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Yorker Museum
| Park & Church Streets P.O. Box Sherman
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NY 14781
716.761.6284
A reconstructed mini village with six restored buildings, depicting Sherman life in the mid-1800's, including gazebo and meeting house furnished with antiques and memorabilia.
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