Chautauqua County's storied past is on display at local museums and history centers. Learn about early settlers, cultural movements, and past residents whose influence has reached national and even global scale.
Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veteran’s History Museum: One of the most prominent on all of Lake Erie, a tour of the Dunkirk Lighthouse keepers’ cottage offers visitors a look at life in a bygone era. While the light is operational, modern technology has absolved the need for daily human "keeper." Ascend the 61-ft tower for spectacular views of Lake Erie. The property also features an extensive collection of military and maritime artifacts.
Fenton History Center: This mid-19th century, Italian villa-style mansion was once home to New York State Governor and U.S. Senator, Ruben E. Fenton, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it's a valuable cultural institution that connects the past to the present by highlighting Jamestown and Southern Chautauqua County’s vibrant history through thoughtfully curated exhibits, a genealogy library, veteran services, and educational programs. The Fenton History Center hosts a variety of walking tours which highlight local architecture, lore, and history.
Grape Discovery Center: The grape growing industry took roots in the 1870s when the Concord grape was first introduced to Chautauqua County. Today, many North American and European varietals populate local vineyards, but cultivating the Concord is how it all began. The Grape Discovery Center tells this story through engaging exhibits and displays. Visitors have an opportunity to taste the flavor of the region by sampling local Lake Erie Wine Country wine and grape juice. Visit the museum store for grape-inspired art, artisanal food products, and local wine sold by the bottle.
Lawson Boating Heritage Center: Prepare to be amazed as you browse the Lawson Center's three floors of exhibits. Boating has been a longstanding summer pastime on Chautauqua Lake, and the collection of antique boats and related artifacts confirms just that. Glimpse real-time restoration projects through the workshop windows or cozy up in the reading nook; it’s in the hull of a boat! Kids will enjoy driving the 1940s race boat simulator, playing captain and crew of a real catboat, the junior mate scavenger hunt, and building balloon-powered boats.
Lily Dale Museum: Step back in time amid photos, artifacts, literature, and memorabilia chronicling the early days of the Spiritualist movement and the founding of Lily Dale Assembly. View items from the Fox family home, Precipitated Spirit paintings, slates by the famous Bangs sisters and the Campbell brothers, and the Susan B. Anthony women's suffrage exhibit is noted as one of the best in the country.
Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum: For decades, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz played a vital role in television and on the big screen. Their legacy has been proudly honored right here in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, New York by the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. Browse the fun costumes and screen-used memorabilia on display, awards they were both given, photographs of their personal and TV lives, and more. Recreate the infamous “Vitameatavegamin” commercial and pose with replicas of Lucy and Ricky’s NYC and Hollywood apartments.
McClurg Mansion and History Center: Constructed in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, the wealthy son of a Pittsburgh industrialist, the McClurg Mansion's grand salons and formal rooms stood in sharp contrast to the rugged homes of neighboring frontier settlers. Today the 14-room Federal-style mansion is home to the McClurg Museum and History Center, operated by the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Since 1883, CCHS has been collecting and preserving the significant history of Chautauqua County.
Midway State Park Museum: Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway State Park is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. A small but fascinating museum is tucked in behind the gift shop. Here patrons can see memorabilia related to the park's past such as band posters promoting roller rink partiers, classic games such as the "Kiss O Meter," and the original water toboggans from a past toboggan run amusement that would send riders careening into the waters of Chautauqua Lake. Midway State Park remains a family treasure to this day.
National Comedy Center: The intuitive technology powering this museum takes guests on an interactive journey through comedy’s history. The National Comedy Center will captivate your interest for hours, so leave plenty of time to explore the more than 50 exhibits and exclusive collections. Learn about the important roll props play in comedic bits, try your hand at cartooning, write a skit, Make a Meme, perform Comedy Karaoke, or challenge friends to a Laugh Battle. The National Comedy Center is full of kid-friendly laughs, but the 18+ crowd will find the Blue Room’s deep dive into censorship, the Art of the Roast, Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words, and more moments from comedy’s edgy past and present, enthralling.
Robert H. Jackson Center: Explore the enduring impact of Jamestown’s Robert H. Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court Justice and U.S. Chief Prosecutor at Nuremberg, Germany. Tour exclusive collections and exhibits, and attend special programming to better understand the scope of Justice Jackson’s service, his ideas, and how significant many of his achievements are today. The Robert H. Jackson Center is housed in a beautiful Italianate mansion that dates back to the 1850s. While the home is of no familial significance to Jackson, its history is fascinating in and of itself.
Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History: Roger Tory Peterson was the unparalleled American naturalist who illustrated and chronicled the natural world to the public in the 20th century. Over a long career that began with nature study in the seventh grade in Jamestown, New York, he observed, recorded and published for lay audiences the incredible beauty and diversity of plants and animals from North America and around the world. Curated exhibits highlight Roger's lifework as well as rotating natural history, art and photography exhibitions. The building itself is an architectural landmark situated on 27 acres with walking trails.
Yorker Museum: What was it like to be a pioneer in Chautauqua County? The Yorker Museum has preserved the past through a complex of six structures; a log cabin, chapel, general store, Nettle Hill schoolhouse, Peter Ripley home, and buggy shed. Each building contains artifacts that tell the story of these early pioneers and their descendants.