Westfield VFA Exempt Building
75 Bourne Street, Westfield, NY

For more information call 716-569-6810

December 8, 2011 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $785 million in grants has been awarded through his Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

The Town of Westfield was awarded $200,000 for Barcelona Hamlet Improvements by the New York Department of State.  The Town will use the funds to continue the redevelopment of the Barcelona Harbor and hamlet including construction of public parking, pedestrian-scaled lighting, benches, way-finding signage, landscaping, interconnected handicapped accessible pedestrian facilities, and replacement of water-line infrastructure within the hamlet.

This is the first year of the Governor’s initiative and a lot of time and effort by Town officials, particularly by Supervisor Martha Bills, was required to complete the application, but the investment appears to have been more than worthwhile.

For more information about the economic development funding through the regional councils, please refer to Governor Cuomo’s December 8, 2011 Press Release and the full list of Strategic Plan & Regional Project Awards.

The Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association was awarded $200,000 for its Grape Discovery Museum project by the New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation. This project is part of the final phase in the completion of a Grape Discovery Center (.pdf) located at 8305 West Main Road in Westfield, New York.

The Grape Discovery Center will educate visitors about the historic development of the region and the role that grape growing played in the region’s cultural landscape and communities. The plan proposes 19 exhibit panels in the Display Room and 14 exhibit displays, free standing and wall mounted, for the reception/gift shop space, as well as exterior exhibits and an orientation pavilion.

Congratulations to Andy Dufresne and all the other volunteers at the Heritage Association for their success in obtaining this grant.

For more information about the economic development funding through the regional councils, please refer to Governor Cuomo’s December 8, 2011 Press Release and the full list of Strategic Plan & Regional Project Awards.

“The historical society will once again open its doors to the public and provide refreshments, music, and camaraderie as we celebrate the holiday season and the end of Chautauqua County’s bicentennial year,” said James O’Brien, historical society president. “Anyone interested in learning more about the county’s rich history and the McClurg Museum is invited to stop by.”

Residents who’ve taken part in the Passport to History promotion will also want to stop by, as County Historian Michelle Henry will be on hand to announce the winners of the contest. The promotion encouraged residents to attend various bicentennial events and to visit local historical destinations, such as the McClurg Museum and Fenton Historical Society. Each time an event or location was visited, a stamp was placed in the commemorative passport. The more stamps a passport received, the more prizes a person was qualified to win.

Prizes for the Passport to History promotion include a weekend house party at Cherry Creek Inn Bed and Breakfast, a weeklong gate pass for two at Chautauqua Institution, and a stay at Peek’N Peak Resort. The contest was made possibly with support from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

There is no cost to attend the open house. It will take place on Dec. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the McClurg Museum in Moore Park, Westfield. For more information call (716) 326-2977 or email mcclurg@fairpoint.net.

About the Society
The Chautauqua County Historical Society was established in 1883 and is the oldest historical society in Chautauqua County. Since 1951, the organization has been based out of the historic McClurg Mansion (built in 1818) in Westfield, N.Y. Annual Membership rates start at just $20. All members are given free access to the museum year-round and a subscription to the quarterly “Time Lines” newsletter. For more information, call 716-326-2977 or visit McClurgmuseum.org.

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Thanks and please enjoy the upcoming holidays.

On Saturday, November 19th, Santa will be at Eason Hall again. There will be live music courtesy of Skip Roberts. There will be many crafters at the “Hall of Christmas,” where you can purchase some wonderful Christmas gifts. Activities start at 10 am. A Victorian High Tea will be held at McClurg Mansion from 11 am to 3 pm. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides available, departing from Eason Hall.