The inaugural Chautauqua County History Expo took place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown, bringing together numerous organizations, historians, and enthusiasts for a day dedicated to preserving and celebrating the region’s past.
The event, organized by the Chautauqua County Historian’s Office with support from a planning committee of representatives from historical groups across the county, proved to be a resounding success. Visitors arrived throughout the day to explore the wide array of exhibits and programs.
Over 40 organizations filled exhibit hall with displays that reflected the area’s rich history. Historical societies, municipal historians, genealogical groups, lineage societies, libraries, museums, and authors all contributed to the day.
This wide participation ensured that nearly every community in Chautauqua County was represented, along with several groups from neighboring counties in New York and Pennsylvania.
In addition to the exhibits, the Expo featured a series of four lectures on different topics of regional and national.
Ray Wigle, Director of the Erie Canal Discovery Center, presented on the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal, highlighting the canal’s lasting impact and its engineering achievements.
Christopher Carosa, author and deputy historian of Mendon, spoke about Lafayette’s 1824–25 tour through Western New York, including his stops in Chautauqua County.
Andrew Kolstee of the Fenton History Center gave a presentation on Arthur Wellington Anderson, Jamestown’s city historian from 1922 to 1949, whose work in preserving and promoting local history is being remembered on the 150th anniversary of his birth.
Paul Fardink of the Chautauqua County Sons of the American Revolution discussed the Patriot Marker Program, which commemorates Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the county.
The lectures were well attended and underscored the Expo’s goal of promoting deeper understanding of local and regional history.
To help fund the event and future efforts, a basket raffle featuring about 30 baskets donated by local organizations and supporters ran throughout the day. Four grand prizes, consisting of a genealogy basket, a bicycle, Tarp Skunks 2026 season tickets, and a customized chair from Your Custom Chair bearing the Chautauqua County seal, were also awarded.
The Expo Committee was chaired by Norman P. Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian, who also provided both the opening and closing remarks. He was supported by a committee of volunteers representing many of the county’s most active historical organizations. These committee members were: Joni Blackman, John Brown, Pam Brown, Barb Cessna, Tom Goodwill, Andrew Kolstee, Sharon Matson, Jason Sample, Matthew Tsitso, and Janet Wahlberg.
Special thanks to those who provided additional support for the event: Neil Bianco, Al Johnson, Marcia Kleinert, Deb Kotar, Wayne Leamer, Sam Papaserge, Cindy Rodgers, Rick Roll, Melissa Silleman, Gene Smith, Loretta Smith, Barbara Tramonte, and Jim Wahlberg.
The planning team drew inspiration from the county’s Bicentennial History Fair in 2011, the a follow-up event in 2016 and the 2019, 2022, and 2024 Chautauqua Regional Genealogical Conferences organzied by the Fenton.
The success of the 2025 History Expo suggests that the event has the potential to become a recurring tradition. With strong attendance, a variety of displays, and engaging programs, the Expo highlighted not only the richness of Chautauqua County’s history but also the dedication of the many organizations and individuals committed to preserving it.
