Dunkirk Historical Museum, Dunkirk, NY

05/26/2026

Don't forget about this amazing campaign sponsored by NCCF, and make sure you vote with your "likes"! No matter which organization you vote for, they are all good options. Psst - you can still support groups that don't win by liking/sharing/commenting any of their social media posts, donating your time, supporting them financially, or even telling friends about what a great organization they are!

05/26/2026

Do you like to work with your hands? Our Railroad Display Preservation team is looking for new volunteers! Whether you are new to tools or an old pro, we need YOUR skills. From painting to welding to giving tours, we have a spot for you. We can even train you on site! Make new friends and learn new skills -- Volunteer at the Railroad Display for the Dunkirk Historical Museum!

Email, call, or stop by the Dunkirk Historical Museum's location at 513 Washington Avenue during regular open hours to sign up. Hours and days may vary but if you're ready to help, we will work with your schedule.

05/19/2026

Please consider supporting the Dunkirk Historical Museum in this exciting initiative!

05/19/2026

Mark your calendars!!

Thursday, June 4 at 7PM brings the next lecture in the Here & There: Chautauqua County History, Travelers, and Memories Series - THE ERIE RAILROAD COMES TO DUNKIRK, NY, commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the event!

The New York and Erie Rail Road was the first railroad to link the Atlantic and the Great Lakes; and when it opened in 1851 it was the longest railroad in the world. Railroad historian William D. Burt will show how it happened — the choice of Dunkirk as the western terminus, the original line NY&E built and then abandoned in favor of a better one, and the 1851 grand opening celebration. He will discuss how railroad directors speculated in Dunkirk land and laid out several blocks of the city, and how many Dunkirk streets are named for them.

What is the Erie’s legacy in Dunkirk? This well-illustrated presentation covers it all.

Bill published his first history article when he was in high school and has continued writing, off and on, ever since. Following a career in the railroad industry, he took up researching and writing about the history of the fascinating business, with a primary interest in Eastern railroading, particularly the Erie Lackawanna and its predecessor railroads. He holds a BA in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo and a dual MS in Transportation Planning and Engineering and Management Science from Polytechnic Institute of New York (now part of NYU). He culminated a 27-year career in the railroad industry as President and COO of the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad and its subsidiaries B&H Rail Corp. and Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad.

Admission is FREE, although donations are gratefully accepted. Call 716.679. 1891 or visit fredopera.org for more information.

05/19/2026

Visit us during our Spring/Summer Hours at 513 Washington Ave:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:15am-12pm
Wednesday: 4:30p-6p
Saturday: 10am-2pm (we will be closed a few Saturdays for events, feel free to call ahead!)
Other times by appointment. Please call ahead for research sessions so we can have resources available ahead of time.
Note: these hours effective immediately until June 30. We will be closed to the public except by appointment for the month of July for exhibit removal and installation, and so we can have our Train Display open and fully staffed at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds during Fair Week.
For more information:

The Historical Society of Dunkirk has operated the Dunkirk Historical Museum at 513 Washington Avenue in Dunkirk since 1980 and continues to provide historical information to the public regarding the city. This website provides some informational content regarding the history of our city, but also g...

05/15/2026

Congratulations to the Dunkirk Lighthouse!!!

An iconic piece of the city of Dunkirk is celebrating a major anniversary.

https://www.observertoday.com/news/top-stories/2026/05/dunkirk-lighthouse-open-marks-200-years/

05/15/2026

Happy 176th anniversary of the first train's into Dunkirk, New York! We hope you will join us tomorrow, Saturday May 16th at 11:15am at the Dunkirk Historical Museum for a lecture on the history of steam, as well as our unveiling of the ORIGINAL plaque that hung outside the office of Brooks Locomotive Works.

We are also showcasing a few of Horatio Brooks' personal affects NEVER BEFORE DISPLAYED, tomorrow only! Don't miss it, and bring some friends!
Visit us at 513 Washington Avenue in Dunkirk.

05/15/2026

The Dunkirk Historical Museum was thrilled to host a special Members Only tour of the Brooks Locomotive display at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds a few weeks ago. Although the weather was brisk, we had plenty of sun to show off the shiny paint and all the special inner workings of each of the components, especially those of the locomotive. Our deepest thanks to Roy Davis and Roger Schulenberg who were on hand to explain the inner workings as well as answer our members' questions.

Want access to special tours like these and other membership perks? Become a member and support our mission to preserve and present Dunkirk history. Your financial support helps us bring FREE lectures year round, ensure regular museum entrance is FREE to the public, plus helps us continue to preserve the thousands of artifacts in our care.

You can also make a donation specifically to the care of our locomotive display or any aspect of the museum near and dear to your heart.

05/15/2026

Think trains are cool but don’t know where to start learning about them? The Dunkirk Historical Museum presents a FREE lecture “RR101: Intro to the Railroad!" on Saturday, May 16th at 11:15am. Museum curator Katherine Szewczuk will conduct you through a basic history of the railroad's invention, help you understand different jobs on the railroad, the basics of steam power, the state of rail travel and freight today, and even some pop culture railroad references. We will also be rededicating our Railroad Exhibit with an original plaque that hung on the main building at Brooks Locomotive Works!
This talk is FREE and for 8 and up (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Railroad experts Roy Davis and Roger Schulenberg will be on hand to answer questions about our railroad collection and about our locomotive display at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us by email, or stop in or call during regular hours 716-366-3797.
Please be advised that the museum is accessed by a set of stairs and only street parking is available, so please plan accordingly.