County Historian Michelle Henry will discuss the county poor farm tonight. Submitted photo

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center continues its History Lecture Series at 7 p.m. today with Chautauqua County Historian Michelle Henry discussing the former County poor farm.

Henry provides a close look at the Dewittville farm that served for decades as the County’s “poor house,” which became home to the poor, the insane, the bastard child, the unwed mother, the orphan boy and girl, some temporarily, but many for the rest of their lives.

It was the final port of call for those who lived bad or luckless lives, lost their property or violated the laws of morality. Recent discoveries of buried remains from the now long-gone facility have brought renewed interest in this place that served as a haven and fortress for those in need.

Henry was appointed County Historian in March 2000, and also serves as the county’s Records Management Coordinator. She was one of the first historians in New York State to be certified as a Registered Public Historian.

A past director of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, she has written several articles for local and state publications, including the New York State Archives Partnership Trust’s Archives magazine and the Chautauqua County Historical Society’s Timelines magazine.

Henry is well-respected by historical societies in Chautauqua County, for which she has spearheaded numerous workshops to teach dedicated volunteers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in Anthropology and a Museum Studies Graduate Certificate from Arizona State University.

Admission to the lecture is free, with donations gratefully accepted. Opera House programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.