Calendar

  • July 27 - August 1

    Spoon River Project
    Be inspired and touched by the moving Spoon River Anthology in the beautiful setting of Lake View Cemetery. Performance and ticket information is on the FHC Spoon River web page. For more information on the project you can visit The Spoon River Project website. Support provided in part by the NYSCA Decentralization Program of Cattaraugus County.

  • August 7

    Fenton's 6th Annual Old Fashioned Day
    9 am to 3 pm - Free admission to the festival and the museum. Experience our hometown's living history: try your hand at many of the "chores" our great-grandparents did everyday-for adults and children alike. Experience the "Make Do" attitude of the Great Depression. Fun, crafts & games for kids, a variety of food vendors, modern crafters, and much more!

  • September 25

    Blue & Gray 2010 Civil War Encampment
    The 9th Cavalry is returning home! The community is invited to learn more about living during the Civil War from the soldiers and family members camping at the Fenton Mansion. Donations accepted.

  • October 2 & 9

    5th Annual "Saints and Sinners" Lake View Cemetery Tours
    From 3 pm until 8 pm at Lake View Cemetery, corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave., Jamestown.
    The tour will uncover some of the more than 43,000 personal stories at Jamestown's beautiful Lake View Cemetery. Guests are asked to wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring a flashlight for the later tours and to be ready to learn some interesting information about Jamestown and Lake View Cemetery. Presale: $8 for adults, $2 for children& youth; at the gate $10 for adults, $3 for children and youth, and half price for Fenton History Center members. Reservations are required; please call 664-6256 to reserve your tickets and time slot. Call early as the later tours fill up fast!

  • October 3 & 10

    Twilight Mausoleum Tours at Lake View Cemetery
    Get a behind the scenes tour of a number of the elegant mausoleums in Jamestown's 1859 cemetery. Light refreshments follow the tour. 8 PM. The cost is $15/single, $25 per couple. Youth and children are $5. Reservations are required; please call 664-6256 to reserve your tickets.

  • November 23

    31st Annual Holiday exhibit
    Members Only Sneak Preview 4-7 PM. New members welcome, join and see the exhibit for FREE.

  • November 26

    31st Annual Holiday exhibit
    opens to the public- through January 15, 2011.

  • December 4

    Fenton Family Day
    Start a family tradition - bring your family for crafts, cookies and fun! Discover your past at the Fenton History Center! Children are half price!

  • December 11

    Girls and Dolls Holiday Tea
    11:00 to 12:30 PM and 1:30 to 3:00 PM. A special holiday event for young ladies, their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and friends. The event includes tea, dessert, a craft and tour of the Fenton Mansion decked out in its seasonal finery. The cost is $15 per ticket. Space is limited. Reservations are required.


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Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door

The Fenton History Center presents "LUCILLE BALL: NOT THE GIRL NEXT DOOR" exhibit highlighting Lucille Ball. The exhibit focuses on her early years in Jamestown and Celoron and her return trips to the area throughout her career. Included are restricted photographs taken by her friend Marion Strong VanVlack, showing a touching, and human aspect of this internationally loved comedian.

Born on August 6, 1911, at home at 60 Stewart Avenue, Jamestown, New York, Lucille has often reflected upon fond memories spent in this area. Most of Lucille's childhood was spent in Celoron, New York. Here the excitement of Celoron Park surrounded her, planting seeds for her future career.

Lucille made four notable visits to the area: one in 1933, in 1944 when Grampa Hunt died (also tying in a campaign to sell war bonds), in 1946, and in 1956 when her film Forever Darling premiered at Dipson's Palace Theater. She was scheduled to come again to receive an honorary diploma from Jamestown Community College in 1989, but succumbed on April 26, following heart surgery.

Also on display at the museum are period rooms including the Fenton's Drawing Room, and a variety of exhibits pertaining to local history.

Guided tours of the museum for schools, scouts and civic groups can be arranged by contacting calling 716-664-6256.

The Fenton History Center is open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for students, and children under 3 and members are admitted free.



Looking for more about Lucille Ball? Check the Timeline of Lucille Ball's Life & Career and The Many Names of Lucy and Family pages.