Fireside Lecture Series

The Chautauqua County Historical Society (CCHS) and Patterson Library have announced the schedule for the second half of their 2026 Fireside Lecture Series, a free public program that highlights the rich history of Chautauqua County and Western New York.

Launched earlier this year, the Fireside Lecture Series was developed through a partnership between the two organizations to provide engaging presentations on local and regional history. The inaugural season has already featured lectures on Chautauqua County's role in America's 250th anniversary, the history of the Grange movement, Westfield native and Kentucky Derby champion Vince Powers, and the geological history of Western New York.

The remaining lectures scheduled for 2026 include:

• September 3 – The Story of Lucile M. Wright and Her Museum, presented by Dennis Webster, curator of the Lucile M. Wright Air Museum, who will explore the unique contributions Lucile made to 20th century aviation in Western New York and the work being done by the museum that bears her name.

• October 1 – The History of Fredonia Academy, presented by Max Walters of the Barker Museum in Fredonia. Marking the 200th anniversary of the institution's founding, the lecture will examine the history and impact of Fredonia Academy, which later evolved into the State University of New York at Fredonia.

• November 5 – A Dentist's One Last Problem That Led to Our Grape Industry: A Partial History, presented by Steve Cockram, retired general manager of Growers Cooperative Grape Juice Co. Cockram will discuss the development of Chautauqua County's renowned Grape Belt and the region's long-standing role in grape cultivation and the production of juice and wine.

• December 3 – The History of the Chautauqua School of Nursing, presented by Joel Potash, physician and professor emeritus at Upstate Medical University. Potash will trace the history of the nursing school founded in Jamestown in 1900 and its contributions to healthcare education in the region.

All lectures will be held at Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage Street, Westfield, beginning at 6 p.m. Programs are free and open to the public.

The Fireside Lecture Series will return in 2027 with a new slate of presentations exploring the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of Chautauqua County and beyond.

To learn more about the Fireside Lecture Series and either CCHS or the Patterson Library, please visit CCHSMcClurg.org or PattersonLib.org.