Ellicottville Historical Society

Ellicottville Historical Society The Museum is open for the 2022 season June through September 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturdays only. Admission is FREE.

Society meetings are held the first Wednesday evening at 7:00pm May through October at the Ellicottville Library on Maples Road. The Society's purpose is to study & preserve the historical record of the Town of Ellicottville and its vicinities.

We are sorry to hear this. So many people were impacted by him over all those years.
09/02/2026

We are sorry to hear this. So many people were impacted by him over all those years.

The Fish Hill Tavern is such an intriguing and fascinating part of Ellicottville’s history that the recent post about it...
09/01/2026

The Fish Hill Tavern is such an intriguing and fascinating part of Ellicottville’s history that the recent post about it kicked off some additional research.

That post inspired us to dig a little deeper into old newspaper accounts to see what more could be learned about this remarkable old place, the people connected to it, and the stories surrounding it over the years.

For those who found the earlier post as interesting as we did, here is a more detailed look at the history of the Fish Hill Tavern.

Bob Olin sent us these beautiful pictures of his family members. May Groat married Arthur Olin. Bob is their great gran...
08/31/2026

Bob Olin sent us these beautiful pictures of his family members. May Groat married Arthur Olin. Bob is their great grandson. His grandfather, also named Arthur, was born in 1907.

08/31/2026

Reminder: Our 9/2 event has been changed. Instead of Hayden Haynes it will be Ellen Frank speaking on Presidents of Ohio.

Today is a sad anniversary for the Pitillo family, marking 50 years since the tragic passing of Frank Pitillo. Frank ra...
08/31/2026

Today is a sad anniversary for the Pitillo family, marking 50 years since the tragic passing of Frank Pitillo.

Frank ran a very popular clam stand outside of The Rusty Nail in 1975 and 1976. The Pitillo family is wondering if anyone still has a Frankie Da Clam T-shirt. If so, please share a picture in the comments. Feel free to also share any other memories or pictures of Frank.

The Baker Leonard house, built in 1817, is the first frame house in Ellicottville. The first wedding in the village too...
08/30/2026

The Baker Leonard house, built in 1817, is the first frame house in Ellicottville. The first wedding in the village took place here. It was the first Ellicottville post office. It was a trading post with the Senecas. County records were kept here until the court house opened. The first town meeting was held here. And so many other Ellicottville milestones happened here.
The house has remained in the family line for over 200 years.

So much history in this beautiful church. Do you have pictures taken inside or outside this church? Share them in th...
08/28/2026

So much history in this beautiful church.
Do you have pictures taken inside or outside this church? Share them in the comments.

1950 yearbook
08/28/2026

1950 yearbook

Another entry from the journal of E.E. Litchfield. Between this one and the last one we posted he talks about planting ...
08/27/2026

Another entry from the journal of E.E. Litchfield. Between this one and the last one we posted he talks about planting oats. We read this one as follows:

“Sowed grass seed on oat ground with J.E. F.’s roller. Schoolmarm came in today. Elsie and J went to town in the evening. Took John Reynolds down ten bushels of potatoes.”

Fish Tavern, built in 1824 by Nathaniel Fish. It was in operation for 24 years.
08/25/2026

Fish Tavern, built in 1824 by Nathaniel Fish. It was in operation for 24 years.

Address

2 Washington Street
Ellicottville, NY
14731

Opening Hours

Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

(716) 699-8415

Website

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