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.
Seasonal Hours – Call for Information 726 434-7433
Erie Canal Discovery Center: 24 Church St.
Open: May 1-Oct. 31 or by Appointment
Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 9 AM – 5 PM
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Preview of Coming Events:
Thurs., February 25th at 2 PM: Program Meeting Featuring “WNY A-Z”
If you didn’t get a chance to see the Public Broadcasting special highlighting WNY attractions, we will have a special reprise screening at 215 Niagara Street on our own “big screen.”
“Western NY From A-Z”
Did you miss it? If you didn’t get the opportunity to see this great Public Broadcasting special on Dec.1st, you will want to come to our own screening of this information packed video which highlights 26 great destinations in WNY. We will be offering this as our February program to be held on Feb. 25th at 2 PM in our meeting room. The WNED camera crew visited Lockport this past summer (the “L” in A-Z) to film a segment on the Lockport Locks and the Erie Canal Discovery Center.
Sat., February 27th from 1 PM—3 PM: Good Hair Day. Join us beginning at 1 PM for the long hair contest, followed by an “appearance” by Isabella Sutherland and a PowerPoint show of interesting Seven Sutherland photos and facts.
“It’s A Good Hair Day!”
Saturday, February 27th promises to be a full day of fun as the History Center prepares to celebrate one of Niagara County’s most celebrated curiosities, those seven famous lassies with the floor length hair, the Seven Sutherland Sisters. These rags-to-riches-to-rags mavens were the talk of the town at the turn of the 20th century. In fact, their hair tonic was known and revered far and wide; making the seven sisters millionaires at a time the rest of the country was struggling to eek out a living. Our “Good Hair Day” event should make the hair stand up on the back of your neck as you hear the stories and see how Niagara County’s infamous Sutherland Sisters began performing in NYC in the late 1870s at the birth of Broadway, long before the street became one of the world’s biggest entertainment Meccas. The long-haired sisters performed at new theaters, playhouses and museums and drew large crowds and plenty of attention from the New York press. The Sutherlands’ Broadway days led them to touring with P.T. Barnum and other famous and influential circus men. This early notoriety certainly went a long way in bringing great public recognition to their hair tonic business, too.
The History Center has gathered all of its Sutherland memorabilia to present the Sutherland Sisters’ Good Hair Day on Saturday, Feb. 27th from 1 - 3 PM. Beginning at 1 PM, modern longhaired ladies and gentlemen are invited to be on hand for the hair-judging contest. The longest hair in each category will determine the winners. (If you’ve been thinking of donating your long hair to “Locks of Love,” there will be a stylist on hand to assist you in that request.) Next, visitors can “Step Back In Time” and witness an appearance of Isabella Sutherland, portrayed by Marsha Zimmer. This will be followed by a presentation that will feature images and stories of the famous Sutherland Sisters.
A special activity is planned for the younger curiosity seekers, too, so plan to bring the whole family. A small donation will be accepted.
Sat. Feb. 27th at 1 PM: The Genealogy Society will be presenting the program "Everyone Ought to Be Rich: John Raskob and his Lockport Family Connections.” The free program will be given by Shelley Richards and will be held at the Lockport Public Library community meeting room. The public is welcome.
Thurs. March 25 at 2 PM: Ice Bridges of Niagara Falls. Susan Diachan from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will present a program about ice bridges of the Niagara River and many stories from years gone by.
Thurs. April 22 at 2 PM: Local historian Terry Abrams presents a program in the meeting room at 215 Niagara Street on the topic, “Niagara County's Other Reservation: A History of the Tonawanda Seneca.”
Sat. April 24th at 12 Noon and 2 PM: Col. Bond House Spring Tea. Enjoy delicious tea and refreshments in pre-Victorian splendor. The program topic will be “First Mothers.” Call for reservations at 434-7433.
Sat. May 8th: Spring Bus Trip to East Aurora. This great trip will feature several stops in and around East Aurora, including the Millard Fillmore House and the Roycroft for lunch. Call for information or reservations at 434-7433
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: Rosemary Hill
Beaded Boot – 6 Inches
April 1, 6, 15, 20, 29 (4 PM - 6 PM)
Five Class Series - $75 (Includes all supplies)
Instructor: Anita Greene
Hairpiece
May 4, 18, 25 (4 PM - 6 PM)
Three Class Series - $55 (Includes velvet, special beads and needles)
Instructor: Rosemary Hill
Six Point Star
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (4 PM - 6 PM)
Five Class Series - $75 (Includes all supplies)
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)