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| Holland Land Office Museum, May, 2014. Taken by the author |
HOLLAND
LAND OFFICE MUSEUM - BATAVIA, NEW YORK
The Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia, New York, houses
a rich and varied collection of materials, housed in an 1815 stone building,
the third in use this site. It actually
functioned as a land sales office until the late 1830’s, and was the first
National Historic Landmark in Western New York.
On a recent visit, my husband and I learned the story of how
the 3 ½ million acre Holland Purchase began with a 1797 treaty, between
representatives of Declaration of Independence signer Robert Morris and the
Seneca tribe. The Holland Land Company
purchased the land from Morris, and began the ambitious project of having the
huge tract surveyed, which covered a large portion of what is now western New
York.
The survey, through thickly-forested terrain, was overseen
by Joseph Ellicott, using links, chains, and the basic tools of the time. Examples of these instruments, as well as an
Ellicott family desk and a portrait of Joseph Ellicott, occupy a gallery
recently renovated to recreate his actual land office of 1815. There is also a pioneer kitchen, displaying
household artifacts, and an outdoor space devoted to the original 1859 gibbet
used in the area.
Another gallery of the museum contains several unexpected
displays. One is devoted to Charles F.
Rand, a Batavia native destined to go down in history as the first in the
nation to answer President Lincoln’s call for volunteers at the outbreak of the
Civil War. He was also a Congressional
Medal of Honor recipient. Another
display is devoted to Ely S. Parker, born into the Seneca tribe, who was
educated as a lawyer and civil engineer.
During the Civil War, he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel, serving as
Ulysses Grant’s adjutant. The terms of
surrender at Appomattox were written in his hand.
The museum has acquired a number of items of interest which
can be viewed at close range, including rare uniform pieces and equipment used
in the War of 1812, firearms, and examples of drums used in both the
Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Many local
residents have donated items passed down through generations of their families.
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| Left, drum from the Revolutionary War, right, drum from Civil War. Taken by the author, May, 2014 |
Our tour of the museum was conducted by museum assistant Jeffrey
Fischer, who generously shared his knowledge of the survey, the museum, and its
contents. Museum director Jeffrey
Donahue was also on hand to answer our questions. We were shown a map of the area which made up
the Holland Land Purchase, which covered a number of present-day counties
stretching east and south of Buffalo, NY.
The museum does a fine job of introducing a number of
intriguing historical figures and events.
An example is Joseph Ellicott, whose accomplishments make for a rousing
story. The AAA tour book for the area recommends 30 minutes be allowed
for a stop here. I believe that 30
minutes should be considered a nice start!
Holland Land Office Museum,
131 West Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020
http://www.hollandlandoffice.com/Home.aspx