Discover facts about Jamestown's history during the "Finding Jamestown" scavenger hunt Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Fenton Park.
The event, presented by the Fenton History Center, was planned by director Joni Blackman as a way to raise funds that will go directly towards saving local history.
"We've found that the best way for people to learn local history is to make it fun," said Blackman. "People are so used to history being a long list of names and dates that they get frustrated with it. But, our local history is interesting because it is all about people and their stories. So, for this summer, we have some walking tours of four different sections of the city and the scavenger hunt as a fundraiser."
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Pictured are Main and Third streets in 1945. The Fenton History Center will present the “Finding Jamestown” scavenger hunt Saturday. The clue-oriented event includes 20 of the city’s historical sites.
The scavenger hunt is a team-based, clue-oriented walk or drive event that includes 20 historical sites with challenges ranging from easy to hard. Each challenge is worth a set number of points from low to high. Participants are not required to answer every clue in order to complete the task. Teams choose to complete as many challenges at each destination as they can.
"The locations are based on a brochure we just published," said Blackman. "So, teams can take this brochure with them while on their hunt. They don't have to hunt for the locations, it's just that when they get there they answer clues of varying levels of difficulty. So, if you want to answer all the easy ones you can, or if you're competitive and want to get all the hard ones you can do that too. Plus, there will be characters like Governor Fenton and Mrs. Fenton walking around Jamestown that have a difficult question that you can get bonus points from."
The teams with the highest points by the end of the event will receive the best prizes. Prizes include local hotel getaways, discounts at local stores, restaurants and one of a kind items. Some specific examples of prizes include tickets to site seeing on the Summer Wind, tickets to Chautauqua Institution's Amphitheater, tickets to the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Center, Bemus Bay Pops Irish Night tickets; and unique items such as a vintage postcard.
"This is a great activity for families, groups of friends and colleagues," said Blackman.
While at a destination teams are urged to send pictures back to headquarters.
"Once you've solved the clue you can take a picture at the location of your team doing something silly," said Blackman. "They can then send the photo to our Facebook page at facebook.com/fentonhistorycenter. Then people can see the pictures coming in. And we'll also keep it running when the teams get back to see them during the prize awards and food."
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and include the hunt, prizes and food. Sponsors have provided funds to cover the expenses of the event, so the admission fee goes directly towards the operation of the center. T-shirts will also be available for purchase during the event.
"The Fenton History Center saves Jamestown's history," said Blackman. "And, if we don't save it every day, it is gone. We base our decisions on the past, so do governments, that's why it is important to save the facts and truth. It takes individuals that are professionals to know what to save and how to preserve it. And, that's what we do at the Fenton Center."
The Fenton History Center's mission is to collect, preserve and teach about Jamestown's history. The Center is housed in the city of Jamestown owned Fenton Mansion in Fenton Park on Washington Street. Memberships, grants, donations and a small retail gift shop fund the center. To sign up a team, donate to the prize pool or help sponsor the event call 664-6256.