Dive into the many museums scattered throughout Cattaraugus County on June 15th, 2019 – “Cattaraugus County Museum Day” to uncover exhibits that display our towns and villages Historic paths through time. Learn local history and the ongoing stories of your community, the landscapes surrounding you, and the United States as a whole. Feel the connection as you find your own Historic Path on Cattaraugus County Museum Day, part of the NYS Path Through History Weekend.
Many of the museums in Cattaraugus County will be open on June 15th and offer historical photos, unique displays, and genealogy research for you to discover.
We know you will enjoy learning some of the stories of our rich history, including parts of the Underground Railroad, fortunes found, ever-changing transportation, war heroes, folklore and so much more! Plan a day trip, enjoy the ride and join us in celebrating history!
Each participating museum and times are listed below. For questions, please call 1-800-331-0543. The museums are listed in alphabetical order. Museums have free admission, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Additional Cattaraugus County historical information and maps are available by going online to HistoricPath.com. You can also request free informational brochures; topics including Underground Railroad, Heritage, History Geotrails, and Museum brochures online (HistoricPath.com) or by calling 1-800-331-0543.
1. Allegany Area Historical Association Museum - 25 N. Second St. Allegany, NY.
Open on Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 2pm. They are housed in an historic 1855 former church building and specialize in the history of Allegany and nearby areas. There will be a special exhibit on World War I. Also, regularly on display is the full sized, restored, 1856 Map of the County.
2. American Museum of Cutlery - 9 Main St. Cattaraugus, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th, from 10am to 4pm. By now, you probably are aware that Cattaraugus County has a ton of cutlery history, with Cattaraugus Cutlery Company, Case Company, Cutco, and Ontario Knife. See exhibits with unique knives and the stories behind them at the museum. Within a 50 mile radius of Cattaraugus, approximately 150 different cutlery companies existed during nearly a 200 year period in our nation’s history. The location of 9 Main Street, is where knives were offered for sale when the building was constructed in 1888.
3. CAMP Memorial Site - 302 Court St. Little Valley, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am-4pm. Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP) was formed for the purpose of preserving the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building in Little Valley, New York, and urging its restoration and reuse. CAMP was successful at stopping the demolition of this building, and ended up purchasing it when all was said and done. CAMP will have a pop-up tent set up at the Memorial site on Saturday June 15, 2019 from 10am- 4pm as part of the Path Through History Weekend. CAMP will provide information about this Civil War Memorial site, hand out brochures, and display Civil War items. A walk-around the site and a “SNEAK PEAK” inside the Memorial will be available. There will be a Q & A Quiz regarding the Memorial site that a visitor could answer by visiting the site.
4. Cattaraugus Area Historical Society Museum - 23 Main St. Cattaraugus, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th from 10am-4pm. The Cattaraugus Area Museum has 2 floors of historical treasurers including items from World War II, Civil War, early industry, railroad, genealogical information and more. See the hand-carved Statue of Liberty, which toured the country during the 1976 bicentennial or get a feel of how everyday life was conducted.
5. Cattaraugus County Museum - 9824 Rt. 16 Machias, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 4pm. The Cattaraugus County Museum and Research Library is excited to announce "Family Day at the Museum". This event will be fun for kids of all ages and their families. There will be live music, hands on activities and games, as well as prizes! There will be hotdogs and refreshments for sale. Follow on Facebook for more details!
6. Cutco-Ka-bar Visitors Center - 1040 East State St. Olean, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 4pm. The Visitors Center showcases the growth of CUTCO and Vector Marketing Corporation - the exclusive marketer of CUTCO - and portrays the rich heritage of KA-BAR knives. Guests will learn how products are made and sold. Displays include antique kitchen cutlery, military and pocket knives, as well as historical photographs and documents. CUTCO and Ka-bar products can be purchased. You can also bring your CUTCO products in for factory sharpening.
7. East Otto Historical Center - By the Firehall in the four corners of East Otto, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 4pm. Located in the 1834 Baptist Church. Visitors can expect to see numerous photos of the buildings and happenings of East Otto throughout the years. There are many old-fashioned items including electronic equipment, farm tools, clothing and more. At one point, East Otto was known for being the best area for apple and cider production, as well as having a large lumber production. Genealogical research is available as well.
8. Ellicottville Historical Society Museum - 2 Washington St. Ellicottville, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, June 16th, from 1-4pm. As one of the former corners of the Village Square, this site has been the location of the County Clerk's Office, a bank, a German Protestant Lutheran Church, and a millinery shop. Currently on display is the Holland Land Company's influence on the area, old wedding dresses, farming families of the area, skiing history and historical homes in the Village.
9. Fannie E. Bartlett House - 302 Laurens St. Olean, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 12pm to 6pm. This Queen Anne-style house was originally built in 1881 by Mr. George Foreman and purchased in 1891 by Frank and Fannie Bartlett. You will notice the intricate detail work in every room and that each room has a different floor design, some with as many as seven different woods imported from around the world.
10. Hinsdale Historical Society Museum - 3826 Main St. Hinsdale, NY.
Open Saturday, June 16th, from 10am to 2pm. The Hinsdale Historical Society decided several years ago that they needed a place to retain and exhibit priceless items used in Hinsdale. Our members have collected and received both loaned and donated items which we currently inventory. We offer exhibits, many one of a kind items unique to Hinsdale, including various dairy items associated with local farming including Kents, Browns and Crosby Farms. We also house an early arrowhead collection, Mobil Oil display, old tools, and many primitives. Historical documents, church information, pictures and yearbooks from our area include Maplehurst, Ischua, and Haskell Valley can be viewed. Fire department equipment, scouting display and information on our famous Hinsdale Haunted House is also available to scrutinize.
11. Howe-Prescott Salt Box House - 3015 Rt. 98. Franklinville, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 1pm to 4pm. This salt-box house was built between 1816-1819. The house is currently as it was when purchased in 1966 by the Ischua Valley Historical Society, and is a two story building. Tour the rooms as you step back in time to ancient stoves, antique furniture and a well house. See if you can identify the tools and equipment on display for prizes!
12. Leon Historical Society Museum - Corner ofRt. 62 & Cherry Creek-Leon Hill Rd. Leon, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 2pm. The Museum will be open and you will have a chance to play the a Q & A game, where you can discover fun historical facts by searching the museum. Leon recently celebrated the 200th anniversary of their first settler, and information can be found on him, as well as the life and times of the Pennyroyal Racetrack. TWO NASCAR racers came out of this track.
13. Miner's Cabin of the Ischua Valley Historical Society - 9 Pine St. Franklinville, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 1pm to 4pm. This three story edifice of Queen Anne design was built by Tom Corsett and R. A. Crosby for Simeon Robbins in 1895 at a cost of $7,000. Mr. Robbins had made several trips to the Klondike, discovered a paying mine, and with proceeds of its sale built the Miner's Cabin - so called because of his success in the gold fields. The first floor has heavy, beautifully carved woodwork, fireplaces, and parquet floors. All rooms but the entry to the kitchen are newly papered in the design of the 1895 era. See if you can identify the common household items from yesteryear for prizes!
14. Olean Point Museum - 302 Laurens St. Olean, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 2pm. The museum is located in the converted Carriage House on the Bartlett Historical House property. The carriage entrance, hayloft and horse stalls are still visible. Opened in 1998, the Museum has undergone several exhibit changes and several theme exhibits to attract visitors. The Museum tells the history of Olean (formerly Hamilton and also formerly Olean Point) from its founding in 1804 up to the present with significant events displayed throughout the main exhibit room.
15. Otto Historical Museum - 9068 Otto/East Otto Rd. Cattaraugus, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 4pm. Inside you will find listings of prominent people that lived in Otto, along with historical events, Civil War artifacts, photos, clothing displays and records of those who served in the Armed Forces. Genealogical information from this area may be found here as well. Called The Medora Ball Museum, it is a church that was built in the early 1860’s.
16. Perrysburg Historical Museum - 10460 Peck Hill Rd. Perrysburg, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 4pm. The Museum is in the Town Hall in the Village of Perrysburg and many local artifacts have found a home within the walls of the museum. The building itself was formally the schoolhouse and the prize possessions is the miniature model of the JN Adam Tuberculosis Sanitarium made in the late 1930s showing the entire campus. There is plenty of genealogical information available as well.
17. Salamanca Area Historical Society Museum - 125 Main St. Salamanca, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th, from 10am to 3:30pm. This museum is housed in a restored 1882 bank building. Various displays depict the history of Salamanca. Knowledgeable staff available to answer questions. Three floors of history and displays! Check them out on their Facebook page!
18. Salamanca Rail Museum - 170 Main St. Salamanca, NY.
Open Saturday, June 15th from 10am to 4pm. The Salamanca Rail Museum is a fully restored passenger depot constructed in 1912 by the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway. Through artifacts, photos and video presentations, you can experience an era over 90 years ago, when rail was the primary mode of transportation from city to city. The Rail Museum building was acquired in 1980, a vandalized vacant shell that had stood idle for over 20 years. Check them out on their Facebook page!
For more information on this event please call 1-800-331-0543.