Calendar

  • May 9

    NEW! Brown Bag Lecture Series
    Come hear about an important part of Jamestown's history during the lunch hour. Noon to 1 PM. Dr. Tom Greer will let us in on the plan and the hopes to dig up new clues about the Fenton family and the Mansion grounds. Donations encouraged. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month April through October, at the Fenton Mansion until further notice.

  • May 19 - September 29

    From Stage to Talkies; Theaters in Jamestown
    Vaudeville, touring companies, talent shows, silent films and talkies - all are part of Jamestown's long history in entertainment. The exhibit features images, stories, playbills and more about the over 20 theaters in Jamestown's past.

  • May 26

    Walking Tour
    Early Industry     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • June 2

    Walking Tour
    The Southside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • June 9

    Walking Tour
    The old Northside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • June 16

    Walking Tour
    Lakeview Avenue     Meet at corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave. by the cemetery office at 12:45 PM

  • June 23

    Walking Tour
    Early Industry     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • June 30 1-3 PM

    Finding Jamestown Scavenger Hunt
    Up for an adventure? Grab your friends for a 2 hour smart phone scavenger hunt of Jamestown's history. Teams of up to four follow the clues pointing them in the direction of famous and well-known landmarks of Jamestown's past. Entry fee includes eats at the post-hunt party, prize package give-aways and lots of fun! The hunt begins at 1, the party starts at 3. Call 716-664-6256 to save your spot. $25 per person ($20 for members)

  • June 30

    Walking Tour
    The Southside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • July 7

    Walking Tour
    Lakeview Avenue     Meet at corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave. by the cemetery office at 12:45 PM

  • July 14

    Walking Tour
    The old Northside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • July 16

    Camp Brown- A Call to Arms...Life as a Civil War recruit Students in grades 4-8 will experience the life of a Civil War private preparing to march into history. Limited spaces, 1-4 pm each afternoon, please register early, $50 fee

  • July 21

    Walking Tour
    Early Industry     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • July 28

    Camp Brown- A Call to Arms...Life as a Civil War recruit Adults who may have never lost their interest in the Civil War can now experience the life of a Civil War private preparing to march into history. Limited space, 9 am to 2 pm, please register early, $25 fee.

  • July 28

    Walking Tour
    The Southside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • August 4

    Walking Tour
    The old Northside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • August 11

    Old Fashion Day
    10 am to 5 pm. Free admission to the festival and the museum. Experience our hometown's living history to life. Many crafts & games for kids, a variety of food vendors, modern crafters, and much more!

  • August 11

    Walking Tour
    Lakeview Avenue     Meet at corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave. by the cemetery office at 12:45 PM

  • August 13-17

    History Detectives Camp Connecting to our City's past and how it affects us now. For grades 4-7. Lmited spaces, 1-4 pm each afternoon, please register early, $50 fee.

  • August 18

    Walking Tour
    Early Industry     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • August 25

    Walking Tour
    The Southside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • September 1

    Walking Tour
    The old Northside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • September 8

    Walking Tour
    Lakeview Avenue     Meet at corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave. by the cemetery office at 12:45 PM

  • September 15

    Walking Tour
    Early Industry     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • September 22

    Walking Tour
    The Southside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • September 22-23

    Blue and Gray 2012
    Sat. 9-4, Sun 9-3
    Members of the 9th Cavalry NY volunteers and the 155th NY Volunteers will be encamped at the Fenton Mansion and welcoming the community to learn about the life and times of the Union soldier.

  • September 29

    Walking Tour
    The old Northside     Meet at the Fenton History Center at 12:45 PM

  • October 6 & 13

    7th Annual "Saints and Sinners" Lake View Cemetery Tours
    From 3 pm until 8 pm stepping off throughout the day and evening. At historic Lake View Cemetery, corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave., Jamestown. Horse drawn carriage and walking tours available. The tour will uncover some of the more than 43,000 personal stories at Jamestown's beautiful Lake View Cemetery. Be ready to learn some interesting information about Jamestown and Lake View Cemetery. Presale: $10 for adults, $2 for children & youth; half price for Fenton History Center members. Carriage rides: $15 all seats Reservations are required; please call 664-6256 to reserve your tickets and time slot. Call early as the later tours fill up fast!

  • October 7 & 14

    Mausoleum Tours and More at Lake View Cemetery
    A guided behind-the-scenes tour of a number of the elegant mausoleums and gravesites in Jamestown's 1859 cemetery. Costumed actors tell the family stories. Light refreshments follow the tour. 8 PM. The cost is $20 for potential members, $15 for members. Youth and children are $5. Reservations are requested; please call 664-6256 to reserve your tickets.

  • November 10 - December 1

    Holiday Designs Auction and Gala
    Beautiful, elegant, unique designs from our local décor artists will be on display and open for bidding in the elegant setting of the Governor's Mansion. Visitors will have a chance to bid on the limited entries between November 10 and December 1. The "Holiday Designs Auction" Gala will be from 1-4 on Dec. 1. Refreshments, bidding, shopping and fun - all at the Fenton!

  • November 20

    33rd Annual Holiday exhibit - "Dear Santa" Members Only Sneak Preview 4-7 PM. New members welcome, join and see the exhibit for FREE.

  • November 20 - Jan. 19, 2013

    33rd Annual Holiday exhibit - "Dear Santa" opens to the public.

 

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NYS Museum Week

The Fenton History Center will be closed after 5 PM on Monday, May 14 and May 21.

News

Mark H. Dunkelman's New Book

Using City Directories in genealogy research

  • April 19th, 6-7:30 PM and April 30th, 1-2:30 PM The James Prendergast Library and the Fenton History Center are teaming up to present two classes on using City Directories in genealogy research in the computer lab at the library. Karen Livsey, Fenton archivist with 40 years genealogy research experience will present the workshops. Those attending will learn not only how to use the Directories, but the many resources available at the Fenton History Center and the James Prendergast Library. Increase your results by attending a class!

I remember when...

  • The Fenton's summer 2012 exhibit is "From Stage to Talkies: the history of the theater in Jamestown". If you have any images, stories or memories about any of the City's theaters, please send me an email at director@fentonhistorycenter.org or call me at 716-664-6256. Thanks you for your help!...Joni Blackman

Visit us on Facebook

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The Fenton History Center is available for small private events including birthday parties and wedding pictures. Please contact us if you would like to use our facilities.

The mission of the Fenton History Center is to provide educational and cultural opportunities for the residents of southern Chautauqua County and its visitors through the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and archival materials pertaining to Jamestown and southern Chautauqua County, New York.