As I get older, as with many of my generation, I remember things, events, dates from many years ago, but have a difficult time remembering things which occurred last week or maybe even yesterday. However, the fact is everything that has happened prior to this moment is history, or in the case of each individual, your story. History can be defined as, “the branch of knowledge dealing with past events”. History is what happened, not necessarily an individual’s perception of events or an individual’s opinions of events. History is what happened. History cannot be changed. United States Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize novelist Robert Penn Warren once said, “The lack of a sense of history is the damnation of the modern world”. Society must embrace history, the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. Our history = our story.

With this in mind, what better way to explore local history than through the area’s museums, historical societies, parks, streets and yes, cemeteries. There is a wealth of information awaiting anyone wanting to learn about local history, how Jamestown and Chautauqua County came to be, the ups and downs of individuals and organizations which shaped where we live, work and play. Sometimes the story of those who have helped shape our local history have gone on to help shape the history of our country or the world. Their histories, their stories, can be found right here in our museums, our organizations, and our cemeteries.

A complete list of local museums, historical societies and cemeteries is rather long. Many villages and townships maintain historical societies, explaining the history/story of how these areas came to be. The Chautauqua Historical Society and McClurg Museum in Westfield tell the story of our county. The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in Jamestown, gives the sporting history/stories of our area. The Fenton History Center in Jamestown speaks to the history of the City of Jamestown, offers historic tours, and aids the public with genealogical research.

There are a number of museums and historical centers dedicated to the life works of one or two individuals. The Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz Museum in Jamestown documents the life and career of Jamestown’s own “Queen of Comedy” and husband Desi Arnaz. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the Robert H. Jackson Center, both located in Jamestown, provide the histories/stories of two additional local natives whose life works have touched people throughout the world.

And then there are the cemeteries — outdoor museums, holding forever those who have come before us, shaping our histories/stories, just as our histories/stories will influence generations to come. While a number of historical locals are not buried in Chautauqua County, notably, Naturalist, Roger Tory Peterson and Aviatrix, Lucile M. Wright, many other notables are buried here. Robert H. Jackson, Supreme Court Justice and Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, was laid to rest at Frewsburg’s Maple Grove Cemetery. Eric “Swat” Erickson, professional baseball pitcher is at rest in Lakewood’s Sunset Hill Cemetery. He pitched for the Giants, Tigers and Senators between 1914 and 1920, and is a member of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. And of course Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown is the final resting place for many prominent individuals. If you were to name a Jamestown city street, there is a very good chance that street’s namesake is interred there. For example, Newland, Prendergast, Foote, Winsor, etc., etc. Politicians, Governor Reuben E. Fenton, U.S. Senator Charles E. Goodell, Jr., Mayor Samuel A. Carlson, business owner Benjamin Franklin (B.F.) Goodrich, and three Medal of Honor recipients (to name a few) are also buried there. Lake View Cemetery is honored to be the final resting place of nearly 4,000 veterans spanning all American wars and conflicts. And lastly, but first in the hearts of generations, Lucille Ball, America’s “Queen of Comedy”, returned to her hometown one final time to be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery.

So many lives whose histories/stories are there for our discovery. As British politician Iain Macleod so eloquently stated, “History is too serious to be left to historians”.

Hugh Golden is the general manager of Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown. He has worked in the death care industry since 2012.