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.