Museums & History

A Storied Past

From icons of comedy, government, comic strips, and the courts, to museums on Chautauqua County history, boating, grapes, and sports, you will discover endless memorable sights and centers across the region.

Chautauqua County’s unique character owes much to its Victorian heritage as well as to the sons and daughters who bring international recognition to its quiet communities. Visit a National Historic Landmark within the gates of Chautauqua Institution or see grand historic residences at the McClurg Museum, the D.R. Barker Museum, and the Fenton History Center, the mansion of New York’s 22nd Governor, R.E. Fenton. The story of comedy lives in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, at the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum.

Learn about the fascinating and important work of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson or the prominent artist, naturalist, author, and ornithologist, Roger Tory Peterson. Discover lighthouses, local culture, war influences, and more historic stops throughout the entire Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region.

Alco-Brooks Railroad Display
Located on the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk. The display consists of a Boston & Maine locomotive #444, a class G11-B, 0-6-0 locomotive; the 1907 Delaware & Hudson boxcar #22020; and the 1905 New York…
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Barcelona Lighthouse State Park
The First Natural Gas Lighthouse. Finished in 1829, the 40-foot tall Barcelona Lighthouse (Portland Harbor) was the very first natural gas lighthouse in the world. It was in Federal Lighthouse Service until 1859. At that time…
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Bemus Point Historical Museum
Memorabilia, photos, genealogy information for the Town of Ellery, Bemus Point & Chautauqua Lake. Open seasonally and by appointment. See the Bemus Point Historical Society Facebook page!
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Brad Anderson & Marmaduke Statue
Marmaduke statue and his comic strip creator, Brad Anderson. The statue shows Anderson and his Great Dane pestering him! Brad Anderson, cartoonist and creator of Marmaduke, was born on May 14, 1924 in Jamestown, NY. with a…
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Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is an organization formed in 1980 to honor Chautauqua County, New York area sports celebrities. Sports memorabilia from baseball, basketball, golf, bowling, auto-racing and much more! Museum…
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Chautauqua Township Historical Society
The Chautauqua Township Historical Society is located at the Depot Museum in Mayville. Artifacts, documents and exhibits representing all aspects of our area's rich and vivid past. Hours: 1pm-5pm Friday - Sunday Memorial Day…
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Cherry Creek Town Museum
The Cherry Creek Town Museum is designed to reflect life in this small rural community by paying homage to religion, home life, businesses, transportation, celebrations, schools, organizations, and banking with special…
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D. R. Barker Historical Museum
Located in the 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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Depot Museum
Thousands of artifacts and documents representing all aspects of our area's rich and varied past, located in an old Pennsylvania Railroad Depot. The 1871 Building was replaced in 1925 in a prominent spot on the shoreline at…
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Dunkirk Historical Society & Museum
The Dunkirk Historical Museum is an institution dedicated to the promotion of the city's historical, cultural and artistic heritage. The museum stores, collects, and exhibits artwork, photographs, sculpture, and historical objects.
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Findley Lake-Mina Historical Society
Located in the Old Elementary School - Now the Town Hall on North Road (CR3).  Findley Lake-Mina Historical Society - Many pictures, estate items, WW I and WW II uniforms, maps and geneology.  Open Saturdays…
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Fluvanna Community Historical Society
Fluvanna's historic Meeting House is the place where the community gathers, learns and remembers. First built in the 1820s, Fluvanna's Meeting House served as the community's school, church, library and town hall. Here is…
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Grape Discovery Center
The Grape Discovery Center is the official Visitor’s Center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, where you can experience and learn about all things grape.
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Harmony Historical Society Museum
Historical museums featuring an 1840's rural home with carriage barn and an 1890 school house, and weaving building. Open all year by appointment. Annual Fall Harvest Festival in September - The annual festival with…
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Het Haverkamp Huis
Built in the 1880's by Hermann Haverkamp, a Dutch immigrant who came to Clymer in 1847.  It is of double brick construction with granite windowsills.  Purchased in 1996 by the Clymer Area Historical Society, it has…
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Lawson Center Boat Museum
The Lawson Center Boat Museum is open seasonally, showcasing Chautauqua Lake's boating history. Interesting and fun displays and events for the whole family. Special tours available by appointment. Also available for private…
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Lily Dale Assembly Museum
Experience a walk back in time amid photos, artifacts and memorabilia from the first days of the Spiritualist movement and the founding of Lily Dale. Enjoy a vintage pictorial display of pioneer landmarks of the region.…
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Lincoln - Bedell Statue
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…
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Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum
Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, NY honors the legacy of “The First Couple of Comedy” with the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. The museum attraction features replica sets, Lucille Ball’s Emmy…
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Lucille Ball Memorial Park Statues
What is now known as the "Ugly" or "Scary" Lucy statue shows Lucille Ball during her famous tipsy TV pitch for Vitameatavegamin health tonic. Scary Lucy has garnered national and international media coverage, with visitors…
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Marvin Community House
The Marvin House is a stunning example of E. G. W. Dietrich’s “Shingle style” architecture; it seamlessly blends elements from the Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Eastlake styles. Vastly different design…
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McClurg Museum
Nestled within the Westfield NY village green, surrounded by majestic shade trees and manicured lawns, is a unique learning experience for children and adults alike: the McClurg Museum and History Center. Operated by the…
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National Comedy Center
The National Comedy Center is the United States’ official cultural institution and museum dedicated to presenting the vital story of comedy and preserving its heritage for future generations.
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Portland Historical Museum
Photos, antiques and memorabilia of the Town of Portland from the 1800's and 1900's, all in an actual railroad depot. 11AM -5PM - Open Saturdays and Sundays, Mid-June through  late August.
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Robert H. Jackson Center
The Robert H. Jackson Center is a non-profit dedicated to promoting liberty under law through the examination of the life and work of Robert H. Jackson, Supreme Court Justice and Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg.
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Roger Tory Peterson Institute
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History offers a compelling mix of nature art and nature-based education and observation opportunities. The Institute is highlighted by its exhibits dedicated to the life's work of famed ornithologist and wildlife artist, Roger Tory Peterson.
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Sheridan Historical Society
Chartered by the NYS Board of Regents in 2000, the Sheridan Historical Society is a private-non-for-profit educational corporation working to promote a greater knowledge of and appreciation for the history of Sheridan, New…
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Smith Memorial Library
The Smith Memorial Library of Chautauqua Institution anchors the southern end of Bestor Plaza. A member of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, The Smith offers year round services to the community: Broad collection of…
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Underground Railroad in Chautauqua County
Learn about the Underground Railroad in Chautauqua County through a new website, map, and film. The film Underground Chautauqua: Three Freedom Trails premiered at the Fredonia Opera House on November 10, 2022. …
Valley Historical Museum
The Valley Historical Society, which has the same boundaries as the Cassadaga Valley School System, is supported by the towns of Charlotte, Gerry, Stockton, and the villages of Sinclairville and Cassadaga. The Historical…
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Yorker Museum
The Yorker Museum is made up of six historical buildings representing a general store, schoolhouse, chapel, buggy shed, log dwelling and simple home. The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM during the months…
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