More than 50 program participants listen to a lecture regarding waterskiing and the sports tie-in with Chautauqua Lake, Aug. 29 at the Lawson Center Museum, 73 Lakeside Drive. P-J Photo by Christopher Blakeslee

BEMUS POINT – A lecture about the rich history of waterskiing and sport show skiing was presented to a full crowd of boating enthusiasts at the museum recently – wrapping up a summer full of activity at the Bemus Point attraction.

However, for the museum, located at 73 Lakeside Drive, keeping and recording the boating heritage on Chautauqua Lake is still an integral part of the organization’s mission.

According to thelawsoncenter.org, the non-profit organization has been loving boating since 1918; to celebrate the history of boating on Chautauqua Lake, to preserve the Lawson family’s legacy, and to share Chautauqua Lake’s regional boating history.

“We have Brian Lawrence and Dough Ribley presenting the history of water ski shows here and around the nation,” said Maureen Stahley, Bemus Point Board of Trustees member. “This is just one of the many lectures we’ve presented.”

Ribley is the past president and executive committee member of the National Show Ski Association, and Lawrence is an event coordinator of Chautauqua Lake Water Ski Shows from 2012 to 2017, a lifelong Bemus Point resident and avid water skier.

Stahley said the Lawson Center presented a boater safety class in conjunction with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, May 18; John Guenster Boats of Lake Chautauqua lecture, presented by Ned Ward, June 26; Walking Trails in Chautauqua lecture, in partnership with Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Development (CCPED), presented by book author Wendy Lewellen, “Good Soles: Chautauqua Rails to Trails Namesake from and Trailblazers,” July 31 and an up-and-coming event, scheduled for Sept. 25, entitled Tales From the Boat Shop.

Stahley pointed out that all lectures are open to the public and free of charge, and that all people under the age of 18 are always free when accompanied by an adult.

“We’re a non-profit organization and memberships are how we keep our program open for free to the public or for a very nominal charge,” she said. “We also offer several hands-on activities for children to enjoy.”

For more information visit thelawsoncenter.org or call 716-386-3355.