HLOM Guest Speaker Series: Karen Lankeshofer, “Elsa Von Blumen”

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Guest Speaker Series. On Thursday, April 18th at 7 pm we welcome Karen Lankeshofer, as she presents on Elsa Von Blumen. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

“Elsa von Blumen was a premier female athlete before it was even thought possible that women could be professional athletes! Growing up in Oswego, NY and Rochester, NY she first became a professional “race walker” in 1879 and was soon enticed to try high-wheel bicycle riding by bicycle manufacturer Albert Pope. She was a prominent figure on the bicycle-racing scene in the 1880s and competed throughout the Eastern United States ( including in Batavia) but is all but forgotten today.”

Karen Lankeshofer is a long-time Henrietta, NY resident who has also lived and taught in Germany and Russia. She is an avid bike rider and advocates for safe cycling infrastructure. She enjoys studying history, especially if it pertains to Upstate New York. She discovered Elsa Von Blumen several years ago and has her researching her intensively.

“This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!”