SINCLAIRVILLE – The Valley Historical Society met recently to set its calendar of events for the coming year.

The society was formed nearly four decades ago to preserve the history of the Cassadaga Valley. The late John and Ruth Smith saw a need to preserve history of the valley, and in 1977 formed the Valley Historical Society. One year later, the museum building was purchased and houses items from the valley area. The museum is open for tours on Sunday afternoons from 2-5 p.m. from May through September. Tour guides are always present during the open hours.

The new year for the historical society has been planned, with all monthly meetings being held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The first meeting of the year will be Tuesday, April 2, in the South Stockton Wayside Chapel. The meeting will be the annual maple sugar party, where each participant will have a warm bowl of maple syrup and stir it for about 45 minutes to make maple sugar candy. Albert Olmstead, society president, will lead the program, with Larry Barmore, vice president. Mary Shearman is the society’s secretary. Programs for the year’s events will be created by Susan Sipos, computer artist, and will be available at the first meeting.

Each month, a business meeting will be held, followed by a program or speaker, and refreshments. The July meeting will be the patriotic moment meeting since it will be held close to July 4. The August meeting will be the annual family picnic and treasure trove program.

The Valley Historical Society and the village of Sinclairville host an annual history fair in September. The fair is a daylong event beginning at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. Other events include a grand parade, a farmer’s market, craft show, outhouse races, log cutting contests, car show, baby contests, baking contests, carriage rides, chicken barbecue, food stands and fireworks. The museum will be open during the day for tours. The history fair is planned for Saturday, Sept. 14, in Sinclairville.

For more information on the Valley Historical Society, write to P.O. Box 1045, Sinclairville, NY 14782. New members are welcome.