DUNKIRK — The Fredonia Technology Incubator is teaming up with the Dunkirk Historical Society and Academy Heights Neighborhood Association to celebrate the legacy of the Dotterweich family, their impact on the city of Dunkirk and to highlight the shared history with Koch’s Brewery.

A reception for the Dotterweich & Koch’s Brewery History Exhibit will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the Fredonia Technology Incubator. Prior to the reception, the incubator will host a brewery entrepreneurial workshop at 3:30 p.m. Tom Secky, field sales representative from Southern Tier Brewery, and Jake Freyn, assistant brewer from 5 & 20 Spirits, will discuss the respective history of their breweries as well as their experiences operating a brewery in the region. Many Dotterweich descendants of Dunkirk will be in attendance. Bernie Dotterweich & the Blue Mule Band will play blue grass music. There will also be hors d’oeuvres and beer samplings from Southern Tier Brewery and 5 & 20 Spirits & Brewing. Reservations can be made at everythingdotterweichandkochsbrewery.eventbrite.com. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

“We are really excited to participate in this wonderful celebration of the history of brewing” said Nathan Arnone, Southern Tier Brewery brand manager, “Our area has a rich tradition and we are proud to be continuing that tradition.”

“While our family ties have been with the grape and wine industry for nearly five decades, we are excited to have recently joined the brewing community and to share in a celebration of it’s history in our region,” said Mario Mazza, vice president and general manager at Mazza Wines/5& 20 Spirits & Brewing.

The Dotterweich family will be honored with a proclamation and historical marker dedication Friday at 10 a.m. at Dove and Sixth Street where the brewery was located. The public is welcome to attend.

Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exhibit closing June 22. The exhibit is curated by Barbara Racker, Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery director who oversees the Fredonia Technology Incubator Gallery.