A history expo showcasing Chautauqua County’s rich heritage is set to take place on August 23 at the Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown, New York. The event will feature a variety of historical groups and exhibits, similar to the successful Bicentennial History Fair held in 2011. Organized by the Chautauqua County Historian’s Office with support from local groups, the expo aims to promote regional history.
Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian and chair of the History Expo committee, stated, “This event is intended to help promote our local historians and historical organizations, which play a vital role in preserving and promoting our region’s history.” Attendees can expect to see representatives from dozens of historical groups and municipalities exhibiting artifacts and sharing their work.
The expo will include participation from over two dozen historical organizations within Chautauqua County. Municipal historians and public libraries have been invited alongside genealogy-focused groups. Participants from Erie County and Cattaraugus County in New York, as well as Erie County and Warren County in Pennsylvania, will also be present. Authors who have written about local history are expected to attend.
Carlson emphasized the county’s global connections: “Chautauqua County, of course, is connected to the rest of the world in many ways and always has been.”
Four lectures on topics such as the Erie Canal’s impact on Western New York and Lafayette’s 1825 visit are scheduled throughout the day. These sessions aim to delve into significant events tied to local history.
The event draws inspiration from past successful fairs held in 2011 and 2016. Jason Sample, president of the Chautauqua County Historical Society and a member of the History Expo committee, remarked on its potential: “We’re excited to rebrand and relaunch this event in 2025 and are confident that it will garner enough interest to ensure it takes place on an annual basis.”
Scheduled for Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free thanks to sponsors like the Jean Vandewark Olson Stowell Genealogy Research & Education Fund. Additional sponsorships are welcome.
Details about activities, speakers, and lectures will be announced soon on CHQHistoryExpo.com. For further information or registration inquiries, contact (716) 753-4857 or email CarlsonN@chqgov.com.
