Holand Land Office Museum

Night at the Museum: History Kids Story Time
2026-04-01 17:00 - 20:00 UTC
The Holland Land Office Museum is bringing back is Night at the Museum on the first Wednesday of every month. The museum will be open extended hours on Wednesday, April 1st from 5-8 pm. Museum Curator Rachel Bellis will be in full historical costume to share stories with youngsters and teach them some interesting things about life in the past of Genesee County. Feel free to also check out the museum in a different light in the evening and see some of our new exhibits.

Trivia Night @ the Museum: Benjamin Franklin
2026-04-09 19:00 - 20:00
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night at the Museum on Thursday, April 9th at 7 pm. Come and test your knowledge of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. For that night it is all about the Benjamins. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Concert Series: Henry Grace
2026-04-10 19:00 - 20:00
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Concert Series on Friday, April 10th at 7 pm. We welcome Henry Grace, guitarist and song writer, as he shares his own music as well as some popular covers. Henry Grace has become part of the burgeoning Batavia, New York music scene as co-founder of the folk duo Parris and Holly, guitarist for clamor pop band Rose Mary Christian’s Babies, host of the Saturday Morning Acoustic Series. Admission is by suggested donation. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Concert Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Guest Speaker Series: Richard Chamberlain, "John Newton Chamberlain"
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next presenter in its Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, April 16th at 7 pm. Richard Chamberlain will be presenting on second great uncle John Newton Chamberlain. John Newton came from humble origins and grew up on a farm in central New York. He entered the army in 1861 and mustered out in 1866. He obtained the rank of Captain in charge of the 97 th Regiment, Company E in the United States Colored Infantry. He was a prolific letter writer and kept an extensive diary. He served in the Pensacola, New Orleans area and as a junior officer understood many of the “big picture” issues of the war. His is the story of a farm boy who went to war and did his best. John Newtons, great grandson John Bisbee, edited a book entitled “Captaining the Corps d’Afrique” which is comprised of his diaries and letters. Admission is by suggested donation. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and the Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Guest Speaker Series.
“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!.
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral
territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee
Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous
peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Concert Series: Bart Dentino
2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of its Concert Series on Friday, April 17th at 7 pm. Bart Dentino will be playing an acoustic selection of music that will include original compositions and songs by such artists as James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, The Beatles, and others. Bart was twice selected Best Performer and Best Vocalist of the Year by Freetime Magazine. It was the first time in the magazine’s history an artist was selected in two individual categories. Admission is by suggested donation. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and the Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Concert Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Java with Joe E.: Ryan Duffy, "Joseph Ellicott's Ghost: The Lasting Impact of the Holland Land Company"
2026-04-23 09:00 - 10:30
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Java with Joe E series on Thursday, April 23rd at 9 am. Museum Director Ryan Duffy shares, “Joseph Ellicott’s Ghost: The Lasting Impact of the Holland Land Company.” The presentation touches upon some of the remaining vestiges set down over 200 years by the Holland Land Company. Admission is free with coffee and donuts. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com. Thank you to Tim Horton’s of Batavia for again sponsoring Java with Joe E. for 2026.

Guest Speaker Series: Ben Kemp, "Grant & Twain: Authors & Friends"
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, April 23rd at 7 pm. Ben Kemp of Grant’s Cottage will be returning to present a living history performance, “Grant & Twain: Authors & Friends.”
“Civil War General, President of the United States, and World Traveler what else did Ulysses S. Grant do during his illustrious career? How about authoring one of the best memoirs ever written. Explore the compelling circumstances and the role of friend Mark Twain in Grant’s short but important career as an author.” Admission is by suggested donation. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and the Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Guest Speaker Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral
territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee
Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous
peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Alias Grace Murders
2026-05-02 18:00 - 20:00
Put on your detective hat to solve a murder mystery put on by WNY Improv based on the true story of Alias Grace murders in Lewiston. Join the Holland Land Office Museum for another Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. The event will be Saturday, May 2 from 6-8 pm at the Batavia Country Club, located at 7909 Byron Rd. in Batavia. Come and enjoy a great meal from The Lodge at the Country Club and a wonderful show by WNY Improv. The mystery is “Alias Murders.” Arrested in Lewiston based on the true story of Grace Marks, which was made into a Netflix series and a historical fiction best seller by Margaret Atwood. Victims- Mr. Thomas Kinnear and Miss Nancy Montgomery suspects Grace Marks, James McDermott, Jimmy Walsh, “Mad “Capreol, and Mary Whitney. Tickets are $70 per person. There is a choice of four entree options including: sliced sirloin of beef, chicken french, crab stuffed fish, or veggie lasagna. Please make your choice when you purchase your ticket. Your ticket includes your meal and dessert. A cash bar will be available. You can find tickets at the museum’s website, www.hollandlandoffice.com. You can also find tickets at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holland-land-office-museum-murder-mystery-dinner-theatre-tickets-1984982082844?aff=oddtdtcreator
“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!.
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Concert Series: Tom Torrisi
2026-06-05 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next act of our Concert Series on Friday, June 5th at 7 pm. Classical guitarist Tom Torrisi will be showcasing his amazing talents, performing a concert of solo guitar music dating from the 17th to the 21st century. The program will include a selection of original compositions. Tom Torrisi is a guitarist and composer based in Buffalo, NY. Active as both soloist and chamber musician, Tom’s performance highlights include the 21st Century Guitar Festival, Black House Collective, Buffalo International Guitar Festival, Buffalo Guitar Research Conference, June in Buffalo, Mostly Modern Festival, the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival and Rochester Fringe Festival. Admission is by suggested donation. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and the Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Concert Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Trivia Night @ the Museum: Revolutionary War Battles
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:00
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next round of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, June 11th at 7 pm. In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, come and test your knowledge of Revolutionary War Battles. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Guest Speaker Series: Dr. Randy John, "Oil Springs Territory"
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, June 18th at 7 pm. Randy John, Ph.D., will be presenting on “The Oil Spring Territory.” Randy John will be sharing the history of oil springs and wells on Seneca land, particularly the Oil Springs Reservation, and the importance of it in Seneca culture. Admission is by suggested donation. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and the Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Guest Speaker Series.
“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!.
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Stroll along the History Trail
2026-06-20 11:00 - 15:00
Join the Genesee County Parks and the Holland Land Office Museum for this exciting event to celebrate the New York State Path Through History Day on Saturday, June 20th from 11 am to 3 pm. The event will take place at the Genesee County Park & Forest located at 11095 Bethany Center Rd. East Bethany, NY 14054.
Come and take a step back into time at the oldest County Forest in New York State. This adventure through history will feature local park history and military history from the French and Indian War to World War II! Reenactors will be on-site dressed with fun, exciting items and stories to tell visitors. The event features guided hikes to the County Home memorial as well as cannon and musket demonstrations.
The event is free with no registration necessary. Donations are gratefully accepted for the Genesee County Park and Forest and the Holland Land Office Museum.

Guest Speaker Series: Joyce Thompson-Hovey, "The Martyr & the Traitor"
2026-06-24 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Wednesday, June 24th at 7 pm. Local historian and presenter Joyce Thompson-Hovey will be presenting “The Martyr & the Traitor. “During the American Revolution two young Connecticut men were hung, one by the British and one by the colonists. One you will have studied about in school and the other I discovered was my 5th great grandfather. This is their story. ”
Admission is by suggested donation. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and the Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Guest Speaker Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Java with Joe E.: Tyler Angora, "Ingham University"
2026-06-25 09:00 - 10:30
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Java with Joe E. series on Thursday, June 25th at 9 am. Tyler Angora, Curator of the LeRoy Historical Society, will be presenting on “Ingham University.”
“Emily and Marietta Ingham established the Attica (NY) Female Seminary in 1835. They moved the school to LeRoy in 1837, changing the name to the LeRoy Female Seminary. The seminary was chartered on April 6, 1852, as the Ingham Collegiate Institute. A full university charter was granted in April 1857, and the Collegiate Institute became Ingham University. Ingham University was the first chartered women’s university in the country. Ingham educated more than 8,000 women from across the country and provided a progressive education comparable to that of male universities. Ingham University left a lasting legacy in Genesee County and America.”
Admission is free with coffee and donuts. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Thank you to Tim Horton’s of Batavia for again sponsoring Java with Joe E. for 2026.

Guest Speaker Series: Vic Vignola, "The Battle of Seven Pines"
2026-06-25 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, June 25th at 7 pm. Civil War historian Vic Vignola will be presenting, “The Battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862: McClellan Finds a Scapegoat.”
“Using primary sources, Vignola shines a light on the overlooked details. His presentation describes the story of the common soldier, the difficulties they endured, and leadership decisions made by field commanders prior to and during the fighting at Seven Pines. For those who are interested, Mr. Vignola will have copies of Contrasts in Command: The Battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862 for sale and inscription.” Admission is by suggested donation. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank and Batavia Rotary Club for sponsoring in part the Concert Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Guest Speaker Series: Greg Kinal, "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" @ GO ART!
2026-07-08 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Wednesday, July 8th at 7 pm. Greg Kinal will be presenting “The Life of Benjamin Franklin,” a program on one of America’s most interesting personalities. Franklin was truly a Renaissance person who was a man of letters, scientist, revolutionary and lover of mankind. The Guest Speaker presentation will be held at GO ART! located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia. Admission is by suggested donation. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank for sponsoring in part the Guest Speaker Series.
“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!.
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Trivia Night @ the Museum: Declaration of Independence @ GO ART!
2026-07-09 19:00 - 20:00
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next round of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, July 9th at 7 pm. In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, come and test your knowledge of the Declaration of Independence. This month’s trivia will be held at GO ART! located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Concert Series: Time Travelin’ Buskers, The Biscuit Brothers @ GO ART!
2026-07-16 19:00 - 20:00
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next act of our Concert Series on Thursday, July 16th at 7 pm. A Biscuit Brothers’ Wonderfully Wobbly, Big-Hearted Salute to Batavia. Join us as Caleb and Clem Biscuit- the Biscuit Brothers- turn the museum into a Batavia tavern of yesteryears. You’ll be seated among the locals as they spin tales, swap jokes, and play the songs that kept toes tapping in mid-19th-century America. Admission is by suggested donation. The concert will be held at GO ART! located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Thank you to Tompkins Community Bank for sponsoring in part the Concert Series.
“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!.”
“GO ART! acknowledges that the land on which this project takes place is the ancestral territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. GO ART! recognizes the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in Western New York and honors their enduring relationship to this land.”

Java with Joe E.: Jason Smith, "Making the Presidency: John Adams & the Precedents that Forged the Republic" @ Richmond Memorial Library
2026-07-23 09:30 - 10:30
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Java with Joe E. series on Thursday, July 23rd at 9:30 am. Jason Smith, City Historian, will be reviewing the book, “Making the Presidency: John Adams & the Precedents that Forged the Republic” by Lindsay Chervinsky.
“Making the Presidency is an authoritative exploration of the second US presidency, a period critical to the survival of the American republic. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Lindsay Chervinsky illustrates the unique challenges faced by Adams and shows how he shaped the office for his successors. This month’s Java with Joe will be held at the Richmond Memorial Library.
Admission is free with coffee and donuts. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Thank you to Tim Horton’s of Batavia for again sponsoring Java with Joe E. for 2026.
