Chautauqua County’s historical museums, associations, and historians will come together in Jamestown, Aug. 23 for the inaugural Chautauqua County History Expo. The event will take place at Fluvanna Community Church (3363 Fluvanna Ave., Jamestown) and feature more than 40 historical organizations from all corners of the county, along with some neighboring counties. Admission is free.
“This event offers a great opportunity to bring together historical objects, documents, and program information from a wide range of not-for-profit organizations, all dedicated to preserving and promoting some aspect of the county’s history. The wealth and breadth of historical collections in this county is really remarkable and we’re excited to showcase them in this one-day event,” said Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian.
The event is being coordinated by the County Historian's Office, along with a committee of dedicated volunteers representing various historical groups from across Chautauqua County.
The participants include historical and genealogical societies, libraries, heritage and preservation associations, and local historians. Each of the participants will feature unique and fascinating artifacts relating to their local history. From the Barcelona Lighthouse to the Bemus-Point Stow Ferry, the Jamestown Trolley Car #93 Project, and the many local historical societies, nearly every community in the County will be represented. A complete list of all participants can be found at CHQHistoryExpo.com.
There will also be four separate lectures focusing on local and regional history, scheduled to take place throughout the day. Starting at 11 a.m., a lecture focusing on The 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal will be presented by Ray Wigle, Director of the Erie Canal Discovery Center. Then, at 1 p.m., author Christopher Carosa will present a lecture entitled “History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region.” Following that presentation, a lecture entitled "A.W. Anderson: Advertiser, Prohibitionist, Historian" will be provided at 2 p.m. by Andrew Kolstee from the Fenton History Center. Finally, at 3 p.m., Paul Fardink of the Chautauqua County Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will present on Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Chautauqua County and the S.A.R. Patriot Marker Burial Program.
To help cover costs associated with the History Fair and to secure funding for future related events, a basket raffle will take place with 30 various baskets available to win, with many of them featuring items donated by local history groups. In addition, Fancher Chair has donated a customized rocking chair featuring the Chautauqua County seal for the door prize.
The Chautauqua County History Expo is modeled after the county’s Bicentennial History Fair, which took place in Mayville in 2011, along with a follow up History Fair that occurred in 2016. A similar event was tentatively scheduled for 2021 until the COVID 19 pandemic put plans on hold.
The History Expo will take place on Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cost to attend and there is plenty of free parking. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. The event is made possible by funding secured through the Chautauqua County Historian’s Office.
Volunteers are still needed to help with the set up and assisting with various tasks during the day. For more information on the History Fair, to volunteer or make suggestions, or to register as a participant free-of-charge, contact the County Historian’s Office at (716) 753-4857 or email CarlsonN@chqgov.com.
ABOUT: The Chautauqua County History Expo is a dynamic event designed to showcase the rich history and diverse heritage of Chautauqua County and nearby communities. Organized by the Chautauqua County Historian’s Office and supported by a planning committee composed of representatives from various historical organizations and groups from across the county, this expo aims to promote local history through the active participation of museums, historical societies, municipal historians, libraries, genealogy organizations, local history authors, and other historical entities. Scheduled for August 23, 2025, at the Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown, NY, the event is free of charge for residents and visitors to the Chautauqua Region. Attendees are invited to explore vendor tables featuring artifacts, displays, books, literature, video presentations, and more. A series of lectures focusing on local and regional history will also take place. For more information, visit CHQHistoryExpo.com.
