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Holland Land Office Museum

HLOM interactive online blog: Exhibit Me

By Holland Land Office

Every Tuesday from now until the end of the quarantine period we will be hosting our Exhibit Me HLOM Program. This program is meant to be an interactive blog in which you as community members can share with us!

This is an extraordinary period we are living through, and any content we receive from you during these challenges will be added to the Museum’s digital collection.

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HLOM: Batavia Areas of Interest - Quarantine Program

By Holland Land Office

Holland Land Office Muesum

We are living in an extraordinary moment in history. We are seeing first hand the ways that society can shift so quickly to adapt with circumstances.

Every Thursday it's Interactive Blog Day. We will recount stories and photos of our staff and board member’s personal experiences while in quarantine, and invite audiences to join us in the various interactive challenges we come up with to entertain ourselves at home. All experiences that are shared with us will then be saved in our digital archive.

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HLOM offering online version of Jeopardy! and personal exhibit program

By Billie Owens

Press release from Holland Land Office Museum:

Please visit our website and Facebook page for activities and other fun materials about our local history that we have put together, including our Exhibit Me Program and our own version of Jeopardy.

Also, we have updated our bookstore inventory to our website. Any purchases can be made by contacting the museum or through our Facebook Shop.

As we have been monitoring the situation surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, we have decided to have the museum remain close to the public until further notice. We will also be cancelling our public events as well.

We are continuing to look into possibilities of rescheduling any events that we have had to cancel, which we can hopefully bring to you in the future.

Any updates to our situation will be communicated through our website, Facebook page, and email. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the museum by phone at 585-343-4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com. 

Thank you for your support and understanding of this decision. We hope for everyone to stay safe and healthy.  

Ryan Duffy

Executive Director

Holland Land Office Museum closed through April 1 because of COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Dear Holland Land Office Museum Supporters:

We at the Holland Land Office Museum have been watching the current circumstances regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. Though we had originally planned to stay open, with the recent updates to the situation within our local community, the Board of Directors and I have decided to close the museum to the public for the recommended two-week period until April 1st.

This closure is in addition to canceling and rescheduling the remainder of events scheduled for the remainder of March.

We will be continually evaluating the situation as April approaches and will keep everyone updated if we decide to cancel or reschedule further events.

Any updates to our situation will be communicated through our website, Facebook page, and email. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the museum by phone at 585-343-4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support and understanding of this decision. We hope for everyone to stay safe and healthy.

Ryan Duffy

Executive Director

HLOM is staying open but canceling March events, plus the Spring Antique Show at GCC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Dear Holland Land Office Museum Supporters:

We at the Holland Land Office Museum have been watching the current situation regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The museum will be staying open during our regular business hours.

We are taking the proper precautionary measures within the museum and have instituted a vigorous cleaning schedule for our facilities and exhibit areas.

We have decided that although we will be staying open we are canceling our events through the rest of March and will be continually evaluating the situation as April approaches.

Furthermore, our Spring Antique Show at Genesee Community College on April 17th & 18th has been cancelled, though a search for a new date is underway.

Any other event that is cancelled the museum will be working to reschedule at a later date, so none of us miss out.

We have requested all of our volunteers refrain from coming to the museum until further notice as a precaution. We ask that all visitors adhere to our policy refraining touching the artifacts and display cases, and to use our sanitizing stations throughout the museum.

Any updates to our situation will be communicated through our website, Facebook page, and email.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the museum by phone at 585-343-4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Thank you,
 
Ryan Duffy
Executive Director

St. Paul students display their knowledge of 'Early Colonial Settlements' at HLOM

By Billie Owens

Fourth- and fifth-graders at St. Paul Lutheran School are proudly displaying their projects on "Early Colonial Settlements" at the Holland Land Office Museum.

They are the culmination of all they learned on the topic during the two-week lesson plan, which they began before National Lutheran Schools Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1.

There was no America as we know it now, their teacher Jennifer Dunn explained to them.

Native Americans lived throughout the land. There were settlements by Puritans and Pilgrams from England, and by the Dutch, French and Spanish. Think Roanoke, Jamestown, Cooperstown, Plymouth.

Travel was difficult. Conditions primitive. Why did they take such risks to come here?  How did they live day to day? What did they eat, or wear? What rules governed them?

Besides history, the studies emcompassed English Language Arts, social studies and geography.

Between the drears of winter and the sheer scope of written/verbal information, it seemed to Dunn that her students were getting sort of "overwhelmed" and bogged down by it all, including niggling details: at least four of the key people of the time had the first name John.

So she decided to have students do some research on their own and put their knowlege into the tangible form of displays with essays accompanying them.

"They did their own research themselves and they are proud of it," Dunn said. "It made history come alive."

Their fact-finding also helped clarify some confusing points.

And they created labels for the models -- made of stuff like wooden sticks, twigs, tempera paint, plastic barnyard animals, craft paper, even Rice Krispies -- with references to the essays they wrote.

Each child presented their work in front of their parents and the whole school.

It was a lot for 9- and 10-year-olds to master and their mastery is on display tomorrow Feb. 22 through Thursday, March 5, when the St. Paul students will retrieve their projects after a field trip to the museum.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The location is 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

HLOM Guest Speaker - Michael L. Hawley talks about his book on Dr. Frances Tumblety, an American suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders

By Holland Land Office

Please join us and Michael L. Hawley as he talks about Dr. Frances Tumbelty who was known mostly for being a Jack the Ripper suspect, lived for a brief period with family in Rochester and is buried in a family plot in Rochester, NY. Tickets are $3 per person or $2 per museum member.  To register please email hollandlandoffice@gmail.com, call (585) 343-4727 or stop into the museum.

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Holland Land Office Museum announces January events

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Holland Land Office is excited to present a whole new year full of fun, entertaining and educational programs and events.  

On Saturday, Jan. 11th, the Saturday Morning Children’s Program will be making dry snow globes. There will be a little discussion about the history of how the Snow Globe came to be and maybe even a short story before the kids get to make their own.

If children would like to bring a small figure, animal or car to include they are welcome. This program is open for children 5-12 and runs from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. The cost for this program is $5 per child or $4 per member.

On Thursday, Jan. 16th, it's History Trivia Night. January’s theme is “Prohibition” to honor the 1920s. So brush up on your Prohibition knowledge and round up your friends and stop in! Trivia starts at 7 p.m. and costs $3 per person or $2 per member.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22nd, the Museum welcomes Patrick Weissend as the first of the 2020 Guest Speaker Series, in to talk about the settlement of Western New York. The talk will start at 7 p.m. at the museum and will cost $3 per person or $2 per museum member.  

Lastly, on Thursday, Jan. 23rd, we will be kicking off our Java with Joe “E” monthly discussions with Greg Van Dussen talking about his latest book “Circuit Rider Devotions.” As always this event is free to anyone who would like to participate and coffee, tea, hot cocoa and pastries will be available. The discussion will start at 9 a.m.

Holland Land Office Museum: 'A BIG Thank You for our 18th Annual Wonderland Of Trees'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

"THANK YOU!" to all those who helped us make this year’s Wonderland Of Trees a success!

Thank you to our sponsors, Tompkins Bank of Castile, Student Transportation of America, Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. and City of Batavia Firemen's Benevolent Association.

Also a big thank you to those organizations who came in and decorated a tree, or display:

  • GCC Alpha Epsilon Gamma
  • GCC Education Club
  • Tompkins Bank of Castile
  • Student Transportation of America
  • Gary Harkness
  • Anne Marie Starowitz
  • Robin Weinstein
  • St. Joseph Catholic Church
  • Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden
  • Zonta Club of Batavia-Gen. Co.
  • Arc of Genesee/Orleans
  • Speak Up Toastmasters
  • Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
  • HomeCare and Hospice
  • Museum Quilt Guilds
  • City of Batavia Historic Preservation Committee
  • Sheep Homeschool Group
  • Stafford Historical Society
  • Godfrey's Pond
  • Mercy Flight/ EMS
  • Batavia Business & Professional Womens Club Inc.

Author to discuss Linden Murders and other notorious crimes at HLOM

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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Rob Thompson discusses Western New York's most notorious crimes, the Linden murders at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Holland Land Office Museum.

Thompson, author of 16 books including "The Linden Murders...Solved," and "Twisted Tree-Final Word on the Linden Murders," will provide details of the crimes, the victims and the suspects. The discussion will be followed by a question and answer session as well as a book signing.

Thompson will also discuss his newest book "Swinging in the Rain," which is about the crimes committed within Genesee County that resulted in the death penalty.

Admission is $3 for non-HLOM members and $2 for members.

Video: Thompson discussing "Swinging in the Rain."

Ruth M. McEvoy's city history book now available at HLOM, reprinted and amended

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

City of Batavia Historian Larry Barnes (above, right) and Holland Land Office Museum Executive Director Ryan Duffy (pictured left) announce the publication of an amended version of the "History of the City of Batavia" written in 1993 by Ruth M. McEvoy.

The original book, published 26 years ago, has long been out of print, but continues to be in demand among local residents. Barnes and Duffy decided to address this situation by working with Michael Hodgins of Hodgins Printing Co. to scan a surviving original copy and then print another 200 books for sale to the public.

These copies are now available at the Holland Land Office Museum bookstore.

The reprinting of McEvoy’s book provided an opportunity to correct errors in the original publication. To this end, Barnes identified 50 instances where errors had crept into McEvoy’s otherwise excellent book. Three additional pages are inserted into the amended edition for the purpose of pointing out the appropriate corrections.

McEvoy was the Batavia city historian from 1971 to 1985. She was also director of the Richmond Memorial Library for eight years in addition to serving as a member of many community organizations including the Holland Purchase Historical Society. McEvoy, now deceased, was named a “Fabulous Female” by the YWCA in 2003.

Barnes views McEvoy’s book, his own "History of Batavia: 1801 to 2015" (available online through the City’s website), and his Batavia Revisited (published by Acadia Press) as the three publications which together provide the most comprehensive history of the city. According to Barnes, each in its own unique manner complements the other two books in a way that readers should find especially satisfying.

Video: HLOM Wonderland of Trees opening gala

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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Sneak a peek at raffle baskets on display for Wonderland of Trees Kickoff

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

We are ready for our 18th annual Wonderland of Trees Kickoff! Baskets at the Holland Land Office Museum are nestled all snug in their places, so come on down today or tomorrow during business hours if you want a sneak peek and to get your choices in early!

Not only do we have close to 40 gift baskets for our raffle, but we also have a beautiful tree to win  -- decorated by the lovely "Anything Your Heart Desires" florist. If you would rather, try your luck at winning cash grab, or a couple of tickets for our 50/50 raffle instead.  

The kickoff starts tomorrow (Nov. 22) at 6 p.m. and will continue until 8:30. There will be delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by the D & R Depot throughout the night to enjoy while you listen to music performed by voice students of Sound Foundation Voice Studio as well as a flute ensemble from Batavia Middle School.  

Tickets for the kickoff are $15 per person, $10 per member or $5 per child under 12. They can be purchased online here, by calling (585) 343-4727, or stopping at the Museum, located at 131 W. Main St. in Batavia.

Tickets for the basket raffle are $2 per ticket, 10 tickets for $10 or 25 tickets for $20.  

Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are $1 per ticket or five tickets for $4.  

At the kickoff, we will be holding a silent auction for a couple of the bigger items so make sure you don’t miss out.  

Winners will be pulled at 8:15 p.m. at the kickoff but you don’t have to be present to win.

What a great way to start the holidays with food and entertainment for the whole family!

HLOM 18th annual Wonderland of Trees opening gala is Nov. 22

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its 18th annual Wonderland of Trees, sponsored in part this year by Tompkins Bank of Castile.This year’s Kickoff Gala will take place at the museum Friday, Nov. 22nd.

The event will start at 6 p.m. and is family friendly and great for all ages.  

Each year, hundreds of visitors come to the museum between November and January to view nearly 50 trees, festive pictures, and holiday displays decorated by local businesses and organizations. 

There will be musical performances by voice students from Sound Foundations Voice Studio and a Flute Ensemble from Batavia Middle School.

After-dinner snacks will be provided by D & R Depot.

Tickets are $15 per person, $10 for museum members and $5 for children under 12.

This year tickets are available for purchase online as well as by calling (585) 343-4727 or stopping in Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Video: HLOM cannons removed for $20K restoration

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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The two cannons that have sat on the front porch of the Holland Land Office Museum for more than a century have been removed and transported to Altoona, Pa., for a $20,000 period-accurate restoration.

The Museum is paying $10,000 for the restoration and is seeking public donations of $10,000 in a campaign called, "Ready, Aim, Donate."

HLOM to send off both its cannons to Pennsylvania next Friday for restoration

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1st the official Cannon Send-Off Celebration will take place.

We are sending off our two cannons, which currently can be seen on our front porch, to be restored and preserved for generations to come.

Seed Artillery out of Altoona, Pa., will be picking up the cannons to them to their facility to begin refurbishing the cannons and they are expected to be returned in the coming spring.

Seed Artillery is known for its excellence in the industry of artillery restoration, which is why the company was chosen for the job.

If you can’t make it to the event but would like to help support the restoration of the cannons, we welcome you to donation to the Cannon Restoration Fund.

Stop by the museum to grab a brochure about the fund or check our website and Facebook for more details.

Refreshments and food will be provided for all in attendance to enjoy. The museum will also be open for anyone interested in experiencing all of the wonderful exhibits on display.

The mseum is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

For more information please call the museum at 585-343-4727 or email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

HLOM to host Westside Ghost Walk on three Friday nights in October

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Back and expanded by popular demand, please join the Holland Land Office Museum for a Westside Ghost Walk on three Fridays in October.

The walks led by Connie Boyd will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11, 18, and 25.

Take a walk on the Westside and hear tales of murders, hangings, grave robbing, ghosts and other eerie happenings from Batavia's past.

Hear stories of Joseph Ellicott, E. N. Rowell and other famous and infamous Batavians.

Admission is $10 and reservations are required.

Tours are limited to 25 people each. The tour begins and ends at the museum and is approximately one-and-a-half to two hours in length.

For tickets or more information, please call (585) 343-4727, email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com, or stop by at 131 W. Main St., Batavia.

(Also, be sure to check out the Old Batavia Cemetery's Guided Ghost Walk on Saturday, Oct. 26; must RSVP by calling the Batavia Cemetery Association at (585) 943-5662.)

September at HLOM: Erie Canal, Native Americans, Roycroft Inn, Vidler's, dinner theater at Red Osier

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum will be holding its next edition of History Trivia Night at 7 o'clock on Thursday, Sept. 12th. The topic of September’s trivia will be the history of the Erie Canal.

The trivia night will be held at a special location this month, at GO ART!, located at 201 E. Main St., which has offered to host the event. Their Tavern 2.o.1 will also be open for players to enjoy an adult beverage. Admission is $3 per person or $2 for museum members.

On Saturday, Sept. 14th, the next edition of the Holland Land Office Museum’s Saturday Morning Kids Program will be taking place. From 10 a.m. to noon, the kids will be making their own Native American style drums and dream catchers. The program is open to children ages 7-12. Admission is $5 per child, and $4 for museum members.

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to present the next presenter in its Guest Speaker Series. On Wednesday, Sept. 18that 7 p.m., Cindy Amrhein will be presenting “Native American Land Rights in Upstate New York.” She is the Wyoming County Historian and the author of several books including one of the same title as the presentation, copies of which will be available for sale. Admission is $3 per person or $2 for museum members.

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce its Seventh Annual Senior Bus Trip on Wednesday, Sept. 18th. This year the trip will be to the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora. The trip will include a tour of the campus, lunch at the Roycroft Inn, and shopping in Downtown East Aurora, including Vidler’s 5 & 10. The bus will be departing at 9 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. at the museum. Tickets are $60 per person or $55 for museum members. The trip is made possible by the Muriel H. Marshall Fund.

The Holland Land Office Museum is also proud to announce its first-ever Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Fundraiser. It will be held at the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, 6492 Main St., Stafford, on Saturday, Sept. 28th. The “Mystery of William Morgan” will be performed by WNY Improv Inc., and will give the audience a chance to be their own detectives in this “Who Done It?” style mystery. Guests will be treated to a choice of one of four entrees during the night from the renowned Red Osier menu. A cash bar will also be available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the performance and dinner beginning at 6. Tickets to the event are $50 per person.

To RSVP for any of the upcoming events or for more information please call the museum at 585-343-4727 or email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

HLOM to unveil two new paintings by NYC-based Batavia artist on Oct. 4, please RSVP

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce on Friday, Oct. 4th, the official unveiling of two new paintings by artist Anthony E. Terrell.

He is a Batavia native now residing in New York City, and a 1967 graduate of Batavia High School.

The two paintings “Listening to Couperin” ("artist & wife enjoying") and “Big Horned Sheep Jumping Fence of Time” are recent works of Terrell's, which were graciously donated to the museum to further promote and expand the collection of works by local artists.

The unveiling will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4th, at the museum.

Refreshments and food will be provided for all in attendance to enjoy. The museum will also be fully open to experience all of the wonderful exhibits on display.

In place of a formal admission, the museum is asking for a small donation. Please RSVP for the event by contacting the museum at 585-343-4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Annual HLOM Senior Bus Tour is Sept. 18: Roycroft Campus, also shopping at Vidler's 5 & 10 in East Aurora

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting its Seventh Annual Senior Bus Trip on Wednesday, Sept. 18th. This year's trip will be traveling to the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora.

The trip will include a two-hour tour of the campus, going through many of the buildings not always open to the general public.

After the tour we will be eating lunch at the beautiful Roycroft Inn, with a choice of entrees: lemon rosemary chicken, garden penne, or salmon.

There will also be time afterward for exploring of Downtown East Aurora, where everyone can enjoy the wonderful shopping opportunities including the famous Vidler’s 5 & 10. It bills itself as the "largest 5 & 10 cent variety store in the world" -- over 75,000 items spread through four buildings on two floors.

The bus will be leaving at 9 a.m. from the museum and returning at 5 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person ($55 for HLOM museum members). Must be 60 years of age or older to purchase tickets for this event.

For more information please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

The event is made possible by the Muriel H. Marshall Fund.

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