Below is a listing of Historical Records Repositories in Allegany County. When available, hours of operation and a brief description of holdings are included.
Alfred Box of Books Library
1 West University Street
Alfred, NY 14802
607.587.9290
Contact: Janice Porter, Director
Email: porterj@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/Alfred/
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12:00-6:00p
Wednesday 10:00a-8:00p
Friday 11:00a-6:00p
Holdings: Documents pertaining to church and local history.
Alfred University
Herrick Memorial Library
Special Collection
Saxon Drive
Alfred, NY 14820
607.871.2184
Contact: Laurie McFadden, Associate Librarian/University Archivist
Email: mcfadden@alfred.edu
Website: www.herr.alfred.edu/special/
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: The collection covers the history of Alfred University from its beginning in 1836 to the present. Collection includes university publications, yearbooks,reports, photographs, memorabilia, information on student organizations,videos, student newspapers and other miscellaneous items. Also includes some local history and information on the Seventh Day Baptists.
Alfred University
New York State College of Ceramics
Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art
Binns-Merrill Hall
2 Pine Street
Alfred, NY 14820
607.871.2421
Contact: Susan Kowalczyk, Collections Manager
Email: ceramicsmuseum@alfred.edu
Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10:00a-4:00p
Please make an appointment.
Alfred University
New York State College of Ceramics
Scholes Library
2 Pine Street
Alfred, NY 14820
607.871.2948
Contact: Elizabeth Gulacsy, Art Librarian and Archivist
Email: gulacsy@alfred.edu
Website: scholes.alfred.edu
Hours: Wednesday 8:30a-4:30p
Also by appointment.
Holdings: Scholes Library houses the Archives of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University: research reports, correspondence, office files, original manuscripts, and photographs recording the developments and achievements of the College since it was founded in 1900. Unique historical materials held in the Archives include the papers of Charles Fergus Binns, Charles Harder, Daniel Rhodes, and other pioneers in glass and ceramic education. Scholes Library was also selected as the repository for the archivesof the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).
Alfred University
Jean B. Lang Western New York Historical Collection
Herrick Memorial Library
Saxon Drive
Alfred, NY 14820
607.587.4313
Contact: David Haggstrom, Director
Email: Haggstdg@alfredstate.edu
Website: http://web.alfredstate.edu/library
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00a-12:00a
Friday 8:00a-5:00p
Saturday 11:00a-5:00p
Sunday 2:00-11:000p
Holdings: Historical & genealogical information from Western New York, with an emphasis on Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Monroe, and Steubencounties, including numerous indexed and microfilmed newspapers, atlases &maps. Brownell & Eldridge genealogical collections. Vertical files contain clippings, pamphlets, documents, etc. filed by subject. A genealogy file containsgenealogical papers arranged alphabetically by family name. Films about life inAlfred made from the 1930s–1960s by Varick Nevins. Over 3,000 photographs indexed by subject and name. The collection also includes slides, transparencies, and postcards of the Western New York area.
Almond Historical Society
PO Box 209
7 Main Street
Almond, NY 14804
607.276.6781
Contact: Doris Montgomery, Archives Chair
Website:www.rootsweb.com/~nyahs/AlmondHS.html
Hours: Friday 2:00-4:00p
Holdings: Family files for residents of the town and village of Almond past and present, including information about families who settled originally and current residents. Atlas and family genealogies.
American Costume Studies
PO Box 71
592 Main Street
Alfred Station, NY 14803
607.587.9488
Contact: Susan Greene
Email: swgl@cornell.edu
Website: www.costumestudies.com
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: Fashion plates, photographs, clippings relating to costumes and costume history.
Americana Manse Whitney-Halsey Mansion
39 South Street
Belmont, NY 14813
585.268.5130
Contact: Ruth Czankus, Curator
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: Photographs, history books, genealogy.
Andover Free Library
PO Box 751
40 Main street
Andover, NY 14806-0751
607.478.8442
Contact: Evelyn Smith, Director
Email: smithe@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/Andover/
Hours: Monday 1:00-5:00p
Tuesday 5:30-7:30p
Wednesday 9:30a-1:30p
Thursday 12:00-5:00p
Friday 12:00-5:00p
Andover Historical Society
PO Box 705
Andover, NY 14806
Contact: Robert Baker, Town Historian
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00a-12:00p
Holdings: Documents pertaining to the history of Andover and its residents.
Angelica Free Library
55 West Main Street
Angelica, NY 14709
716.466.7860
Contact: Doris Feldbauer, Director
Email: agl_Doris@stls.org or felbauerd@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/Angelica/
Hours: Tuesday 12:00-5:00p, 7:00-9:00p
Thursday 10:00a-5:00p, 7:00-9:00p
Saturday 9:30a-1:30p
Baker’s Bridge Association
PO Box 13
5917 Hamilton Hil Road
Alfred Station, NY 14803
607.587.9450
Contact: Thelma Palmiter, Historian
Email: sledman@infoblvd.net
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: Historical materials related to the Alfred Station area, including photographs, scrapbooks, maps, and books (1860 – present). Genealogicalmaterials.
Belfast Public Library
PO Box 455
75 South Main Street
Belfast, NY 14711
585.365.2072
Contact: Judith A. Barber
Email: Belfast@stls.org
Hours: Monday 7:00-9:00p
Tuesday 9:00a-12:00p; 2:00-5:00p
Wednesday 6:00-9:00p
Thursday 2:00-5:00p; 7:00-9:00p
Saturday 9:00a-1:00p
Belmont Literary and Historical Society Free Library
2 Willets Avenue
Belmont, NY 14813
716.268.5308
Contact: Renee Brown, Director
Email: Belmont@stls.org
Hours: Tuesday 1:00-5:00p; 7:00-9:00p
Thursday 9:00a-1:00p
Friday Saturday 1:00-5:00p
Bolivar Free Library
390 Main Street
Bolivar, NY 14715
585.928.2015
Contact: Frances Dean, Director
Email: Bolivar@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/Bolivar/
Hours: Monday Wednesday Thursday 6:00-9:00p
Tuesday Friday 12:30-4:30p
Saturday 12:30-3:30p
Holdings: Collection covering history of Allegany County. Bolivar Breeze Newspaper on microfilm 1892-1965. Birth, death, cemetery and census records. About 100 family genealogies. Records on the Sorosis Society. John Herrick’s books.
BRAG Historical Society
(Bolivar, Richburg, Allentown, Genesee)
Bolivar Free Library
390 Main Street
Bolivar, NY 14715
585.928.2015 or 585.928.2659
Contact: Jean Milliman, Historian
Email: millimanj@yahoo.com or Bolivar@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/Bolivar/
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:00-9:00p
Tuesday, Friday 12:30-4:30p
Saturday 12:30-3:30p
Historian on Duty Monday 12:00-9:00p
Holdings: Birth, death and marriage records; cemetery listings; Census records; genealogies; obituaries; Bolivar Breeze 1892-1965; local history books; photographs; scrapbooks.
Colonial Library
PO Box 8
160 Main Street
Richburg, NY 14774
585.928.2694
Contact: Christine Shutt, Director
Email: RIL_Chris@stls.org
Hours: Monday Thursday 9:00a-5:00p
Tuesday 3:00-7:00p
Holdings: County books, newspaper clippings, photos, and genealogical materials.
Cuba Circulating Library Association
39 West East Street
Cuba, NY 14727
585.968.1668
Contact: Cynthia Dutton
Email: cuba@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/cuba
Hours: Monday Tuesday 9:00a-5:00p, 7:00-9:00p
Wednesday Thursday 12:00-5:00p, 7:00-9:00p
Friday 12:00-5:00p
Saturday 9:00a-5:00p
Holdings: Materials covering history of Allegany County, Cuba, and immediate area. Cemetery records, Pa Ingalls family history and Cuba High School and Cuba-Rushford High School yearbooks 1920 to current. Microfilm of Cuba Patriot from 1866. Please view online catalog located on website.
Cuba Historical Society
16 Genesee Street
Cuba, NY 14727
585.968.2633
Contact: Mary Nease, Historian
Hours: Friday 2:00-4:00p
Also by appointment.
Holdings: Collection includes items relevant to Cuba’s past and its relationship to the daily industry and cheese business. Museum also offers genealogical research services. Collection includes historical research books. Geneaologies and photographs are housed at the museum as well as the bound volumes of the Cuba Patriot and Free Press dating back more than 125 years.
Cuba Military Museum
33 Genesee Street
Cuba, NY 14727
585.968.3679
Contact: Larry Kilmer, Curator
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: Civil War to WWII artifacts (international).
David A. Howe Public Library
155 North Main Street
Wellsville, NY 14895
585.593.3410
Contact: Mary Jacobs, Director
Email: Wellsville@stls.org
Website: www.davidahowelibrary.org
Hours: Monday Thursday 10:00a-9:00p
Tuesday Friday Saturday 10:00a-5:00p
Closed Saturday June-Labor Day
Holdings: The David A. Howe is a New York State Document depository. The collection has more than 93,000 items. Highlights of the collection include Allegany County local history materials, including census records, and local newspapers on microfilm.
Essential Club Free Library
PO Box 74
Canaseraga, NY 14822
607.545.6443
Contact: Katie Sleight, Director
Hours: Monday Wednesday 10:00a-12:30p; 7:00-9:00p
Saturday 10:00a-1:00p
Holdings: History of Canaseraga archives, Canaseraga Times on microfilm (early 1800’s to present).
Friendship Free Library
PO Box 37
40 West Main Street
585.973.7724
Contact: Caprice Carlin, Director
Email: carlinc@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/Friendship/
Hours: Monday Thursday 1:00-5:00p
Tuesday Wednesday 9:00a-12:00p
Saturday 10:00a-1:00p
Also by appointment.
Holdings: Large collection of Arch Merrill books; James Baker Music School memorabilia; genealogies; history of Allegany County; Centennial Publication of Friendship and surrounding towns.
Genesee Library
PO Box 10
8351 Main Street
Little Genesee, NY 14754
585.928.1915
Contact: Carolyn J. Sherman, Director
Email: gel_Carolyn@stls.org
Hours: Monday Wednesday 4:00-9:00p
Thursday 9:00a-3:00p
Saturday 12:00-4:00p
Houghton College
Willard J. Houghton Library
One Willard Avenue
Houghton, NY 14744
716.567.2260
Contact: George Bennett, Director
Email: george.bennett@houghton.edu
Hours: School-year: Monday-Thursday 8:00a-11:00p
Friday 8:00a-10:00p
Saturday 10:00a-10:00p
Breaks: Monday-Friday 1:00-4:00p
May-term: Monday-Friday 10:00a-9:00p
June-Aug: Monday-Friday 1:00-4:00p
Holdings: Houghton College Archives and extensive book collection of creation science, religion, and educational psychology. The Archives also houses both memorabilia and manuscript materials related to the College and the Houghton community.
Mather Homestead Museum, Library and Memorial Park
PO Box 531
343 North Main Street
Wellsville, NY 14895
585.593.1636
Contact: Barbara Williams, Director
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: 1930s room; publications and music gathered around a 1937 classic cord automobile. 1850s home, mostly unchanged since 1880. Musical instruments to play, library of art & music, rare books, samplers, and manuscripts. Original arts and crafts, tools, clocks, games, cardboard and paper clocks, antiques. One 1/4 acres of grounds with wildflowers and sculptures by Antoinette Moon, Dan Dempsey, Norman Ives, and others. Trees include genetically-experimental American chestnuts and elm. Services to the blind: Braille; constitution in Braille, Braille Easter eggs at annual hunt (children 6 and younger).
Pioneer Oil Museum of New York, Inc.
PO Box 332
417 Main Street
Bolivar, NY 14715
Contact: Kelly Lounsberry
Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Monday-Friday 10:00a-4:00p
Holdings: Photographs, maps, artifacts, and local history collections from southwestern New York oil producing regions.
Pittsburg Shawmut and Northern Railway Company Historical Society
PO Box 222
Angelica, NY 14709
Contact: John M. Muchler, Treasurer
Email: jmuchler@stny.rr.com
Hours: By appointment only.
Holdings: Historical records and photographs of the Pittsburg Shawmut and Northern Railway from 1860-1947. Also records of previous narrow gage railroads.
Rushford Free Library
PO Box 8
9012 Main Street
Rushford, NY 14777
585.437.2533
Contact: Rebecca Cole, Director
Email: coleb@stls.org
Hours: Monday 9:00a-12:00p
Tuesday Thursday 12:30-5:00p, 6:00-8:00p
Friday 9:00a-12:00p, 1:00-5:00p
Saturday 9:00a-12:00p
Holdings: Local history books and genealogy.
Rushford Historical Society
PO Box 133
Main Street
Rushford, NY 14777-0133
585.437.2340
Email: jjess@cnyti.com
Hours: Memorial-Labor Day: Saturday 1:00-3:00p
Scio Free Library
PO Box 77
4393 West Sciota Street
Scio, NY 14880
585.593.4816
Contact: Betty Chalker, Director
Email: scio@stls.org
Hours: Tuesday Thursday 1:00-7:00p
Friday 12:00-5:00p
Saturday 9:00a-1200p
Holdings: Large collection of videos, audiotapes, and biographies. Some local history.
Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Societies
Dyke Street Museum
118 East Dyke Street
Wellsville, NY 14895
Contact: Shirley Engle or Jane Pinney
Hours: May-October Wednesday 1:00-4:00p
Also by appointment.
Holdings: Local genealogies, clipping files, scrapbooks, county and town histories, pictures, maps, cemetery records, artifacts from area homes and businesses.
Twentieth Century Club Library
PO Box D
Almond, NY 14804
607.276.6311
Contact: Marilyn Holmes, Librarian
Hours: Tuesday Thursday 2:00-7:00p
Saturday 9:30a-12:30p
Holdings: Local and New York history books.
Whitesville Public Library
PO Box 158
500 Main Street
Whitesville, NY 14897
716.356.3645
Contact: Nadine Ordway
Email: whl_Nadine@stls.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday 2:00-4:00p, 6:00-8:00p
Saturday 10:00a-2:00p
Holdings: Whitesville News on microfilm; books; Who's Who in Allegany County (1937-1938); History of Allegany County Centennial Memorial 1896; genealogical index; local history.
Wide-Awake Club Library
PO Box 199
46 Main Street
Fillmore, NY 14735-0199
585.567.8301
Contact: Nadine Ordway
Email: Tavernierj@stls.org
Website: www.stls.org/fillmore
Hours: Monday Wednesday Friday 9:00a-5:00p
Tuesday Thursday 9:00a-7:00p
Saturday 9:00a-12:00p
Holdings: Extensive local history collection; photographs, scrapbooks (late 1800s to approx. 1930s); bound issues of 'Northern Allegany Observer' 1958-1978.
