The Niagara County Historical Society, Inc.
215
Niagara Street, Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 434-7433
The Niagara County Historical Society presents.... a glimpse of area life over the past 175 years, through its five buildings complex at 215 Niagara Street, Lockport, New York.
We are dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of historic artifacts of the people in Niagara County. We strive to disseminate that information in a pleasant and appealing manor. Sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts. We are a non-profit society open to all. Your participation and support are both needed and welcome. Admission is $1 to those 12 and over, open to the public. Trained historical interpreters (guided tours) are available with prior arrangement.
We have school and group tour programs available. Check our calendar for special events coming up. Hope to see you soon!
Hours are:
Winter - Spring :
January-May
Wednesday-Saturday 1:00 - 5:00
Summer hours : June -
August
Monday-Saturday 10:00 - 5:00 Sunday 1:00 - 5:00
Fall :
September-December
Thursday-Sunday 1:00 - 5:00
The Outwater Memorial Building is the headquarters of the Niagara County Historical Society. This 1864 brick home features a Victorian Parlor, exhibits of toys, Civil War Room, and changing exhibit room. Program meetings are held there. The Outwater Emporium, our unique gift shops, allows you to browse among historic gifts and publications geared to all ages.
The Washington Hunt Law Office is an 1835 brick building used to house the Albany Land Company. It also served as the office of Washington Hunt, Governor of New York State from 1851-1852. On display are surveying instruments used by Jesse Haines to lay out the villages of Lockport and Niagara Falls, and the personal articles and law books of Governor Hunt. The building was moved to this site in 1955 from Market Street in Lockport.
The Pioneer and Transportation Building. Artifacts of the Tuscarora Nation, part of the Iroquois Confederacy, are on exhibit. A diorama of a Seneca Village, beadwork and clothing bring to life their traditional lifestyle. A pioneer cabin located on the 2nd floor shows early life in Niagara County. An exhibit of the Erie Canal whose influence on the settling of the West is well documented, is in the Transportation Room. A model of the 1825 locks, tools and other Erie Canal items are on display. the Auto replaced canal boats and Harrison Radiator, formerly a division of General Motors, is featured. The 1823 "Junior R" car is shown along with the 1954 Pontiac, first car with factory installed air conditioning by GM.
Yates Red Barn. This large barn houses trade cubicles that illustrate the chief occupations needed to sustain a canal town. included are a 19th century cooper, cobbler, harness maker, and blacksmith. A variety of conveyances from bygone days including a Hansom Cab, horse drawn hearse and sleighs are on exhibit. two examples of Bronson Buggies made in Lockport are exhibited. Early fire fighting equipment, including leather buckets, fire helmets, and the first Lockport pumpers from the 1840's, are part of the displays. An original fire telegraph system is included. Numerous agricultural artifacts and tools used during pioneer life on the Niagara Frontier are featured.
Lt. Colonel William Bond House is located at 143 Ontario Street. This beautiful National Register home was the first brick house built in Lockport in 1824. Col. William Bond, The original owner, came here from New Hampshire in 1821 before the opening of the Erie Canal for land speculation. Bond donated the land for the Niagara County Courthouse Square. Jesse Hawley of Erie Canal fame and brother-in-law of Bond also resided in the home. This house museum is restored in the Empire Period with twelve furnished rooms, where history lives on. The kitchen and children's garret are of special interest. The 1st Thursday evening in December is the annual Christmas Open House, with holiday decorations of the period. Volunteer tour guides will add to your understanding of area life in a by-gone era. Group tours and and school classes are welcome by appointment. The Bond House is open to the public May - December on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Please call (716) 434-7433 for further information. Donations appreciated.
Kandt House at 229 Niagara Street. Newly opened in 1999 this Victorian Home now houses several new Exhibits with more to come in the future.
The Fitz-Gerald's Medical Arts Room, features an old fashioned doctors office honoring all three Fitz-Gerald doctors who practiced in this county. Medical artifacts from the 1920's onward are featured.
The business and Industry Exhibit documents some of the innovative and important industries that developed here in Niagara County. Artifacts from the Simonds Saw & Steel, the Carborundum Company and Lockport Glass are main subjects. Birdsall Holly's invention of the first pressurized fire hydrant started the Holly Manufacturing Company a major employer in its day. Items from that company, along with Merchant's Gargling Oil, the Seven Sutherland Sisters and other local notables are included.
Local flavor is featured in the Ford Gum Company that started in Niagara County and supplied the colorful gumballs you remember from childhood. Examples of Indurated Fiberware made from the by-products of the lumber industry will be on display.
The Erie Canal helped to spur this rich industrial history that Niagara County enjoys. Many entrepreneurs and innovators passed through this area or settled here with ideas for commercial success.
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