Chautauqua County Historical Society

05/25/2026

📣 GALA FUNDRAISER IS JUNE 13 📣
Our 2026 Annual Gala Fundraiser at the Historic McClurg Museum is less than three weeks away! Tickets can be purchased at the McClurg Museum or from any CCHS Trustee! Please consider attending to enjoy great company and delicious food for a worthy cause!

05/07/2026

Folks in Fredonia also have the opportunity to learn about the family who built and lived in the McClurg Manson (know the McClurg Museum - home of CCHS) with a lecture by Michelle Henry! The program starts at 7 p.m. at the The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center.

TONIGHT - Thursday, May 7 at 7PM - THE McCLURG FAMILY & ITS IMPACT ON WESTFIELD - The design of the Village of Westfield today can be credited to James McClurg, a pioneer settler who situated his homestead in what would become the center of the village. McClurg is responsible for relocating the settlement to the east side of Chautauqua Creek and building up the business district by erecting a block of storefronts and a luxury hotel. He donated the village “commons,” adjoining parcels for two churches, and invested in early mills. But little is known about McClurg or his family, even though his descendants were involved in real estate, railroads, and silver mines across the Midwest, and are credited with establishing a national park!

Research by Michelle Henry has uncovered the McClurg family’s involvement in national movements and multi-million dollar corporations, all while maintaining relatively reclusive lives in Westfield. Henry will give this fascinating talk, followed by a Q&A.

Part of Here & There – Chautauqua County History, Travelers, & Memories. Admission is FREE, although donations are gratefully accepted.

05/06/2026

200 YEARS AGO - Fredonia Censor (May 9, 1826)

Note: [EDIT] - The name listed here is not to be confused with with the other Obed Edson, who become a noted historian for Chautauqua County and assisted with writing and publishing several local history books during the second half of the 19th century. (Thank you to Kelly Miller for the correction)!

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NEW ARRANGEMENT
STAGES
FROM DUNKIRK TO FREDONIA

The subscribers have commenced running a Line of STAGES, from Fredonia, via Gerry, to Jamestown, twice a week. A line is shortly to be commenced between Dunkirk and Fredonia, by which an easy and direct conveyance can be obtained to the south; and gentleman travelling to Jamestown or Warren, Pa. will find this to be the nearest and most expeditious route. The patronage of a generous public is respectfully solicited.

This line will for the future leave Dunkirk every Tuesday and Thursday; leave Jamestown every Wednesday and Friday; return from Dunkirk to Gerry every Saturday and arrive at Dunkirk from Gerry every Monday evening, and will be particular in calling at Fredonia, for passengers.
OBED EDSON
HARRY EATON
May 1, 1826

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In the first half of the 1800s, stagecoach travel in Chautauqua County and much of the United States was a vital, yet rugged, method of transportation, characterized by expanding routes, the dawn of improved coach design, and significant dangers.

While this ad is from 1826, the Town of Gerry's website (www.gerryny.us/history.html) notes that stagecoaches were first run through the town in 1827 by Obed Edson and Reuben Scott (not Harry Eaton). It notes, "At Walkup Hill (later Kimball Stand) it was necessary for the passengers on the stage to disembark and trudge up the hill behind the coach and then climb aboard again and ride into Jamestown."

Here are key aspects of stagecoaches:

In 1826, there was significant expansion of routes: Daily, four-horse mail and passenger coaches were active on major routes, such as the 104-mile stretch from Cleveland, Ohio, to Erie, Pennsylvania. And new routes were being developed right here as communities continued to grow at an exceptional rate during the 1820s and 30s.

During this time, the 104-mile trip typically took 16 hours. Coaches generally traveled at speeds of 6 to 10 miles per hour, with fresh horses swapped in every 12 to 15 miles.

Villages often grew around these stops, with the coach acting as the primary link for mail and passenger traffic.

The stagecoach in this era was a "social experiment," forcing interaction among different genders and classes in a new, shared, and often cramped environment.

Companies continued to grow, with manufacturing centers located in New York and New England, as noted in studies of New England building history and northern Ohio stagecoach routes.

Fun Fact - The Bob Evans restaurant chain originated in 1826 from the Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio, where founder Bob Evans lived in "The Homestead," a 19th-century house that previously served as a stagecoach stop and inn.

Image Sources: Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection; Fredonia Censor (NYSHistoricNewspapers.org)

05/01/2026

Congratulations to Marilyn and John Hemmer for being recognized by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for their contributions to the community - including their long-time support and contributions to CCHS! Marilyn has served on our board of trustees for several years, while John has always made himself available as a volunteer at numerous events and activities related to the CCHS! Two wonderful members of the Westfield and Chautauqua County community who definitely deserve this recognition!

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation will present the 2026 George B. Weaver, Jr. Footprints Award to a couple from Westfield. NCCF Community Engagement Coordinator L

04/22/2026

Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who keep the Chautauqua County Historical Society focused on its mission and the McClurg Museum open and welcoming for our members and the entire Chautauqua County community.

Your time, passion, and commitment help preserve our shared history for generations to come.

04/22/2026

📣 NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MCCLURG MUSEUM! 📣

Step back in time and explore how people stayed connected before texts, emails, and smartphones! Our brand-new “Communication” exhibit is now open on the second floor in the Museum’s North Room—and it’s full of fascinating pieces from the past.

🖋️ Featuring a vintage "text message machine" - a typewriter from the 19th century!
📷 Check out historic cameras—including the box camera used by native prolific photographer John Bowman - Box Camera Champion of the Universe (according to Colliers Magazine)!!
📞 Discover telephones, telegraph equipment, and more!!!

Curated by Collections Committee Member and Exhibit Coordinator Sandy Brown, this exhibit brings to life how communication evolved in Chautauqua County during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Stop by, take a look, and see how far we’ve come—no Wi-Fi required 😉

McClurg Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday: 10 am - 1 pm
(expanded weekend hours return this summer ☀️)

04/20/2026

If you missed seeing the museum's new display featuring historical women of Dunkirk, the museum will host a lecture this Saturday, April 25, featuring Elnora Babcock. The lecture is titled "A Suffragette Named Elnora Speaks from Dunkirk."
The lecture will be given by City Historian Diane Andrasik nd will be held at 11 AM and lasting about a half hour. All are welcome.

04/19/2026

We had a good turnout for our annual meeting on Saturday, with an estimated 50 members, trustees, and guests on hand to get an update on our operations while also hearing a lecture from Michelle Henry, Research Historian for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (and former County Historian and CCHS Trustee).

Michelle's presentation focused on the early history of Barcelona Harbor and the important role in played in local and regional commerce - from 1810 until 1860. Thanks to local attorney and historian Greg Peterson for filming the presentation, which is now available on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWyy_0_wvQY

Also thank you to Lakeshore Assembly of God for allowing us to use their space for our meeting, as well as Tim Horton's of Westfield for providing coffee and TimBits for attendees.

12/11/2025

🗺️ Historic Map Mystery!
Help us uncover the story behind this beautiful reproduction of Adam Friedrich Zurner’s double-hemisphere world map (ca. 1700), recently rediscovered in county offices. County Historian Norman Carlson is asking: Do you know who donated this map—or why? Even the smallest memory could help us piece together its history.

📸 Want to see it? Learn more at the link below:
👉 https://chautauquacountyny.gov/county-historian/news/county-historian-seeks-publics-help-uncover-story-behind-historic-world-map

12/02/2025

It's - a day during the holiday season when the public is encouraged to donate to a local nonprofit!

Consider making a donation to CCHS to assist with our effort to renovate the McClurg Museum in Westfield or contribute to our Endowment and help us establish long-term sustainability! You can also get a membership to CCHS - which is a great Holiday Gift for fans of !

As always, thank you for supporting our mission of preserving and sharing Chautauqua County's rich history!

Like all museums, the CCHS relies on volunteers to work on projects, serve as docents, and classify and record materials. Would you like to help us?