Digital Collections
The CCHS digital collections contain unique photos and print materials of people and places in Chautauqua County.
Photo Collection
We have digitized our extensive photograph collection, which includes thousands of images dating back to the 1800s, to facilitate research. You can view the collection on our archive site.
Albion W. Tourgée, Civil Rights Pioneer
Albion Tourgée—Civil War soldier, best-selling author, journalist, lawyer, and judge—considered himself a failure in 1896 when he lost the Plessy v. Ferguson case, the nation's first challenge to segregation. Yet 58 years later, in 1954, Tourgée's argument for "color-blind justice" would play a crucial role in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that unanimously ruled "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal."
Answering the Call
Chautauqua County residents responded in great numbers to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. Of the approximately 4,400 men who saw service, an estimated 3,000 survived the war.
Elial Foote and Early History
Dr. Elial T. Foote set the bar high for all Chautauqua County historians who followed him. Arriving in the county in 1815, he collected materials throughout his lifetime that were ultimately used to create History of Chautauqua County, New York, from its first settlement to the present time; with numerous biographical and family sketches, which was published in 1875 by Foote’s colleague, Andrew W. Young.
Alonzo Cushing, Medal of Honor Recipient
Alonzo H. Cushing, an artillery officer with the Union Army during the Civil War, was killed in action at Gettysburg while defending Cemetery Ridge against Pickett’s Charge. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in November 2014. The McClurg Museum collection includes items related to Alonzo and his brother William, who also fought in the Civil War.
Photographing Ordinary Life
John O. Bowman’s passion for photography continues to benefit all who view his images of Chautauqua County from the mid-20th century.