EVENTS
The History Center
Schedule of Events
Hours and Events:
Main Campus: 215 Niagara Street
Monday - Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
The Col. Wm. Bond/Jesse Hawley House at 143 Ontario St.
August and September: Sun. and Mon. 1-4 PM
Seasonal Hours – Call for Information 726 434-7433
Erie Canal Discovery Center: 24 Church St.
Open: May 1-Oct. 31 or by Appointment
9 AM – 5 PM
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Preview of Coming Events:
Summer Youth Program
August 4—1930s: Overcoming the Depression
August 11—1950s: Time of Prosperity
August 18—Trip to 19th & 20th Century Sites
Wednesday, August 4th
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1930s
Learn how to make an apple pie without apples. Listen to stories from a woman who was a child during the Great Depression. Listen to a Lone Ranger radio show. Work on puzzles. Tour a kitchen from that era and see what has changed and what has not. Find out about the two presidents in the 1930s and how they handled the economic crisis. Make a craft from the 1930s.
Wednesday, August 11th
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1950s
Learn all about the fabulous fifties! Watch an old Lone Ranger TV show on a black and white TV. Rock to the music of Elvis and do the “Twist.” Find out about the “car culture” of the 1950s and what people were wearing and eating. Play games that were popular then and find out what “I Like Ike” meant. See what kind of toys kids played with and why you had to hide under your desk at school.
Wednesday, August 18th – Special Field Trip Day!
Extended Day – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
19th Century vs. 20th Century
Start out in the 19th century at the Amherst Museum. Tour the buildings and do hands-on activities. Then travel into the 20th century and learn about aviation on a tour of the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. Then travel to surprise destination to finish off your journey.
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Living History Program
Meet some of Lockport’s famous citizens through our Step Back in Time Program. Learn about the beginning of the Erie Canal, our early history and industries. Talk with people like DeWitt Clinton, Jesse Hawley, Aunt Edna Smith, Raphael Beck, Kate Chase Seymour, Birdsall Holly, William Rand Kenan, and Sara Lamb Cushing.
The program runs July and August of each year or by appointment. A variety of venues showcase different historical personalities. Relax and listen to our re-enactors on a narrated trolley ride. Guided walks and Cemetery Tales are also available on specific days. (See schedule below.)
Cemetery Tales:
Sunday, August 8, 2010 at Glenwood Cemetery at 2 PM. Meet and greet famous residents of Lockport’s early days. Citizens like John Hodge and Mary Walbridge Hunt will fill you in on their storied pasts. Admission: Adults $7, Students $4. Tickets available at the Erie Canal Discovery Center, 24 Church Street.
Old Home Week Trolleys:
Sunday, July 25, 2010-Trolley 1-Lockport Entertainers from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Enjoy a round trip trolley ride and meet three separate living history performers enroute who will play the role of famous Lockport entertainers. Expect to see such celebrities as Charles Case, Lillian Bronson and Isabella Sutherland. All tickets will be pre-sold and are limited, so purchase your tickets well in advance at the History Center, 215 Niagara Street or Erie Canal Discovery Center, 24 Church Street, where the trolley will start and end. Seats are $5 each.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010-Trolley 4-“Ladies” from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Enjoy a round trip trolley ride and meet three separate living history performers enroute who will play the role of famous Lockport Ladies, including Charlotte Cross, Aunt Edna Smith and Mrs. Wallbridge-Hunt. All tickets will be pre-sold and are limited, so purchase your tickets well in advance at the History Center, 215 Niagara Street or Erie Canal Discovery Center, 24 Church Street, where the trolley will start and end. Seats are $5 each.
Step Back In Time at the Palace Theater
Our Step Back in Time players take center stage at the Palace Theater to celebrate Old Home Week on Thursday, July 29th at 7 PM at the Palace Theater. Performers will play the roles of Dewitt Clinton, Raphael Beck, William Rand Kenan and Isabella Sutherland. Special patron seating is available beginning at $5. All patrons receive two complimentary reserved seating tickets to the show and their names will be printed for posterity in the Old Home Week Program. General seating tickets are available free of charge, first come-first served, at the Lockport Public Library.
Flight of Five Walking Tour
See and hear the amazing story of the locks that created a city and changed a nation as told by a “canaller” who was there to see it. Every Monday through Friday at 10 AM during July and August. Admission: Adults $6, Children $4, including admission to the Erie Canal Discovery Center, 24 Church Street, where the tour starts and ends.
Col. Wm. Bond-Jesse Hawley House Tours
The History Center is pleased to announce a new Col. Wm. Bond/Jesse Hawley House exhibit, “The Life and Times of Lockport in 1910.” This exhibit was prepared by Bond House co-directors, Rebecca and Gloria Pittler in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Old Home Week. The presentation focuses on the year 1910 and features clothing styles, pictures of Lockport, advertisements, America’s events and a display featuring the cost of common items purchased in 1910.
With the celebration of Old Home Week behind us, perhaps this would be a good chance to relax and visit Lockport’s oldest red brick home (circa 1823). Previously featured in WNY Heritage Magazine, this 12 room State and National Register museum house is completely restored and exquisitely furnished in the Empire Period (1820-1860.) Originally built by Col. William Bond in 1823-24, the house has had 7 additional owners including Lockport’s own Jesse Hawley, a brother-in-law of Bond who was part of the 19th century team that succeeded in building the Erie Canal and the Flight of Five. Since 1968 the owner of the house is the Niagara County Historical Society who has worked painstakingly to restore the home to its original splendor. The Bond/Hawley House, as discerned by WNY Heritage, “is a place that has never lost sight of its origins.” While on site, don’t forget to view the recently renovated gardens and landscaping. Don, Stellrecht, master-gardener, has been assisted by many fine folks from the Tri-Town Garden Club to plant and groom several horticultural highlights.
The Bond-Hawley House at 143 Ontario Street is now open for tours on Sundays and Mondays from 1 – 4 PM. The home is also open to groups at other times, by appointment. A small donation of $2 per person is requested to help support the maintenance of the Bond-Hawley House. For more information contact the History Center at 716 434-7433.
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Thursday, September 23rd at 2 PM. “An Afternoon with Joe Whalen,” Local painter and art educator, Joe Whalen, will be on hand to explain his new art catalog, “One Hundred Paintings by Joe Whalen.”
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Enjoy a glimpse of 19th century Niagara County history as told by someone who was there and lived it everyday. “The Diary of Thomas Leonard” is now available in our gift shop at 215 Niagara or on our web-store at www.NiagaraHistory.org
HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOURS
Historic Lockport Towpath Trolley Tours
Available upon group request for Summer 2010
Four historic narrated tours to choose from. Please call 716-434-7433 for pricing and availability.
· Stone Houses - Visit the locations of Lockport's early stone homes and learn the history of the builders and owners.
· Entertainers - Meet four of Lockport's famous entertainers and learn about the theatrical venues during past centuries.
· Politicians - Early government leaders share their stories during the trolley tour through related areas.
· Entrepreneurs - Learn how four men impacted the commercial life of the city. Meet them at their homes or businesses.
NCHS works cooperatively with these other venues that also do school programs:
· Towpath Trolley
(716) 434-7433
· Lockport Lock and Erie Canal Cruises
210 Market Street, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 433-6155
· Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride
21 Main Street at Pine Street, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 438-0174
· Kenan Center
433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 433-2617
· Colonel William Bond House - 1823
143 Ontario Street, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 434-7433
· Erie Canal Discovery Center
24 Church Street, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 439-0431
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The History Center – Beadworking Classes – 2010
215 Niagara Street, Lockport NY 14094 (716) 434-7433
(Classes are listed in chronological order)
Instructor: Anita Greene
Kleenex Box
September 7, 21, 28 (4 PM - 6 PM)
Three Class Series - $55 (Includes velvet, special beads and needles)
Instructor Rosemary Hill
Doily and Pincushion
October 9, 16, 23, 30 (10 AM – 12 PM)
November 1, 8, 15, 22 (4 PM - 6 PM)
Eight Class Series - $175 (Includes all supplies)