Holand Land Office Museum

Guest Speaker Series: Dr. Randy John, "Oil Springs Territory"
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
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.

Trivia Night @ the Musuem: The Ellicotts
2026-08-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia, NY, 14020, United States
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next round of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, August 13th at 7 pm. This month’s trivia will be held at the Richmond Memorial Library located at 19 Ross St. in Batavia. In memory of the 200th anniversary of Joseph Ellicott’s death, you can test your knowledge of the biggest name in Batavia History, the Ellicotts. 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: Dennis Upton, "Joseph Ellicott: Who Will Tell My Story?"
2026-08-19 19:00 - 20:00 | GO Art!, 201 East Main Street, Bataiva, NY, 14020, United States
The Holland Land Office is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Wednesday, August 19th at 7 pm. Dennis Upton will be presenting “Joseph Ellicott: Who Will Tell My Story?” There is so much to learn about this man who was a key figure surveying and selling land in Western New York in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was, among other accomplishments, instrumental in bringing the Erie Canal to Western New York 200 years ago. Additionally, for many, his name is synonymous with the Holland Land Company and the development of the western end of New York State. Dennis Upton will take you back to 1824 as he brings Joseph Ellicott to life in this first-person living portrayal. Admission is by suggested donation. The Guest Speaker presentation 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 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.”

Guest Speaker Series: Lorna Czarnota, "The Adventures of Aileen McGuire: Hoggee on the Erie Canal"
2026-08-25 19:00 - 20:00 | GO Art!, 201 East Main Street, Bataiva, NY, 14020, United States
The Holland Land Office is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Tuesday, August 25th at 7 pm. Lorna Czarnota will be presenting, “The Adventures of Aileen McGuire: Hoggee on the Erie Canal.” The presentation consists of an original monologue based on the history of life of everyday people working on the Erie Canal during its heyday. The event will be held at GO ART! located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia. 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.: Claudia Nusstein, "Watersheds of Genesee County"
2026-08-27 09:30 - 10:30 | Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia, NY, 14020, United States
Join the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Java with Joe E. series on Thursday, August 27th at 9:30 am. Claudia Nusstein, Conservation Education Program Coordinator at the Genesee County Park and Forest, will be presenting “Watersheds of Genesee County.””Water is an important part of life in Genesee County! No matter where you live, you are never far from a creek or stream. This presentation will explore the concept of Watersheds and how this impacts us in big and small ways. Learn how you can be a good steward for clean water and healthy habitats in your community.” 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.

Concert Series: Rich Conroy
2026-08-27 19:00 - 20:00 | GO Art!, 201 East Main Street, Bataiva, NY, 14020, United States
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next act of our Concert Series on Thursday, August 27th at 7 pm. Local musician and member of No Blarney and Strummerz, Rich Conroy, will be performing a solo show. He will be playing covers of classics like Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers and more, plus some original songs. 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.”

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Batavia Beer Bath Murder
2026-09-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Eli Fish Brewing Company, 109 Main St., Batavia, NY, 14020, United States
Join the Holland Land Office Museum for another Murder Myster Dinner Theatre. The event will be Saturday, September 12th from 6-8 pm at the Eli Fish Brewing Company located at 109 Main Street in Batavia. Come and enjoy a great food from Eli Fish’s Traditional Buffet and a wonderful show by WNY Improv. The mystery is “Batavia Beer Bath Murder” A Batavia Gangster is murdered, drowning in a Beer Vat (Hence the “Bath” in the title). Who was it? Local competitor? a Canadian supplier he double crossed? An anti liquor activist? His bitter former girlfriend? The No.2 man in his organization?
Tickets are $50 per person, extra fees are included when bought online. The buffet includes tossed salad, baked ziti, and beef on weck. A cash bar will be available. You can find information at the museum’s website at www.hollandlandoffice.com. Tickets can be found through Eventbrite by searching Holland Land Office Museum Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. You can also find tickets at the link below
Holland Land Office Museum Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Tickets, Saturday 12 September • 6 PM – 8 PM | Eventbrite
“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.”
