Darwin R Barker Historical Museum

07/18/2026

The Barker Museum will be closed July 18-25.

07/17/2026

Can you imagine Fredonia covered in smoke?

These photos show the blaze at the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) building on East Main street in 1923.

The building received so much damage that its distinctive mansard roof collapsed. Both the front and back of the building are shown here, with recent photos for comparison.

The I.O.O.F. building was constructed in 1870 and its third story held an opera hall–which was also a movie theater–until the fire. The “new” structure was built just after the fire one hundred years ago.

07/11/2026

If you haven't met our new intern, Liam, that's probably because he's been helping us photograph items in the collection. Here is a peak behind the scenes with Liam at work:

Hi! My name is Liam, and I’m interning at the Barker Historical Museum this summer. I’m a BFA Photography student at SUNY Fredonia, going into my 3rd year in the fall. I’ve been having a lot of fun here at the museum. I’m here to help preserve some of our area’s history. I’ve photographed/digitized a couple maps, including the full map of Fredonia’s streets in 1910, a large roll-up map of Chautauqua County, and a map of what downtown Fredonia’s buildings were made of for fire safety. I’ve had a lot of small projects also, so I’m staying busy. It has been enriching working on projects here, and I get to learn about our area’s history along with gaining technical experience. Thank you to Max and everyone at the museum for the opportunity! All of my other photography has been very different from what I’m able to do here— If you would like to check out my work outside of the museum, I’m on Instagram. - Liam :)

06/06/2026

Friday, June 12th!

05/22/2026

Recognizing Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and all their support for our exhibits and events!

04/11/2026

Today!

04/10/2026

The Memorial Urn in Houghton Park was dedicated to Douglass Houghton (1809-1845). A doctor, teacher, scientist, and mayor of Detroit, he attended the Fredonia Academy in his youth and later documented the vast copper mines in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Copper from those mines provides the foundation of the urn.

Join us on Saturday, April 11th at Noon for a lecture from author Deborah Frontiera as she discusses her new book about Douglass Houghton.

Photo by Bob Gregory, 1963.

03/21/2026

Upcoming author talk will discuss local and regional history. The topic is Douglass Houghton, a fascinating figure and the namesake of SUNY Fredonia's Houghton Hall.

03/14/2026

The Fredonia Bicentennial Quilt is now on display at the Barker Museum. It depicts village landmarks in magnificent detail. Over 70 local quilters collaborated to create this quilt in 1976.

03/07/2026

Local history lecture at the Fredonia Opera House -- County Historian Norm Carlson will present research on Chautauqua County's connections with the American Revolution!

Eliakim Garfield's notebook, which he kept from 1771-1797, came with his son John when he moved to Busti, NY in 1820. In it is Eliakim's account of 'the shot heard round the world' that started the Revolutionary War. It reads: “This Day April ye 19th 1775 the Kings troops Come to Concord and being their maid very unwelcom Returned home with greate speade and much Loss.” It resides now in the Fenton History Center.

This and many more Chautauqua County connections to the war will be discussed Thursday, March 12 at 7PM at CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY & AMERICA'S 250TH with Norm Carlson - part of Here & There: Chautauqua County History, Travelers, and Memories.

This event is free to the public, donations are always welcome.