Chautauqua County Historical Society Fundraiser June 11, 2011

The Chautauqua County Historical Society is holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, June 11, 2011. Here is a press release I put together for the organization to help promote the event.

Historical Society Fundraiser Set for June 11 in Westfield
“Re/Union” will Preview Upcoming Civil War Exhibit

The Chautauqua County Historical Society is inviting residents and supporters of local history to attend its annual fundraiser Saturday, June 11 in Westfield. “Re/Union” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the historic McClurg Museum in Moore Park – located at the corner of Routes 394 and 20 in the village.

“This is our single biggest fundraising event of the year,” said James O’Brien, the President of the Chautauqua County Historical Society. “We hope to see a lot of familiar faces as well as some new ones during the evening.”

The fundraiser will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres along with music by local musician John Hamels. There will also be a preview of an upcoming Civil War exhibit at the Museum entitled “The Art of War: Images of the Civil War from the collection of the Chautauqua County Historical Society.”

The new exhibit will primarily feature various artwork and photographs associated with the Cushing family of Fredonia. Several members of the family took part in the Civil War, including Alonzo and William Cushing.  Alonzo lost his life in the Battle of Gettysburg while defending the Union position against Picket’s Charge. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conduct. William became a hero of the north and was known as “Lincoln’s Commando” after leading a daring nighttime mission to sink the Confederate ironclad CSS Albermarle in 1864.


“2011 begins the 150th anniversary of the Civil War so we wanted to tie that in with our annual fundraiser,” O’Brien explains. “We have several photographs and images from our Cushing Collection and we are excited to share them with the public. Anyone who attends the fundraiser will get a sneak preview of the exhibit.”

The cost to attend “Re/Union” will be $50 per person with all proceeds going to support the McClurg Museum operations, an all-volunteer organization.

For tickets and reservations, call 326-2977.

About: 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. .


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Photo Caption: Fredonia resident William Cushing was one of four Cushing brothers to serve in the Civil War.  He was dubbed “Lincolns Commando” after sinking the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle in 1864. He and his family will be the focus of an upcoming exhibit form the Chautauqua County Historical Society, which will be previewed at the June 14 Fundraiser. (Image courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center)