WESTFIELD – A new historical lecture series, free and open to the public, will begin on Thursday, March 5, at the Patterson Library in Westfield.

Known as the “Fireside Lecture Series,” the program programming is a collaboration between the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the library. The first lecture in this series is scheduled for March 5 and will feature Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County historian, who will present on the Chautauqua County’s ties to American Independence on its 250th anniversary year.

The Fireside Lecture Series was developed after the library approached the historical society in late 2025, seeking collaboration to develop programming that focuses on history and, more specifically, local and regional history covering Chautauqua County and Western New York. After meeting and discussing further, the two organizations settled on a lecture series that focuses primarily on local history, but would also cover other topics related to general history, as the opportunity allowed.

In all, eight lectures are planned for the inaugural year. The Fireside Lecture Series for 2026 will take place on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in March, April, May, June, September, October, November, and December.

The schedule of lectures for the first half of the year includes: Chautauqua County Celebrates America’s 250th with Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County historian (March 5); The History of the Grange with Pamela Brown, Harmony town historian (April 2); Westfield Native and Kentucky Derby Champion Vince Powers, with Randy Anderson, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame director (May 7); and the Geological History of Western New York with Dr. Thomas Hegna from the State University at Fredonia (June 4).

All lectures will take place at Patterson Library (40 S. Portage St., Westfield), starting at 6 p.m., and are free and open to the public. To learn more about the Fireside Lecture Series, visit CCHSMcClurg.org or PattersonLib.org.