Leon Historical Society
Summer events
The season will kick off May25th with a Memorial Day parade at 9am and a tribute at the Treat Cemetery,
Following by the reading of the Honor Roll at the gazebo in front of historical 1836 Church. “Please look at our Hometown Hero Banner that hang proudly to recognize those from Leon who served to keep our freedom,”
May 30th starts our” Spring Along the Amish Trail.”
From 10am to 4pm. Anyone who stops by the 1836 Church can register for a drawing for a car tour around the Amish countryside, value of $60.00 valid June-August.
During the month of June, we will be honoring the “Women’s Relief Corp that was organized in Leon in 1890” Honoring Elna Beckman. A display for W.R.C. is being worked on.
July 18th at 4pmm We will host Carol Cross from Rochester, who will present an exciting program with Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards. Light refreshments will be served. Donation are always appreciated.
July25th Family Day. we will be hosting “Zoo 62” a licensed facility offering exotic animals and petting Zoo. Camel and pony rides, a nominal fee from 9am. to 1pm.
Also, that day at 1pm we will host the “Cherry Creek Country Church.” Kids are doing a skit on parables
All day coloring and games.
Amish bake goods and Craft’s
August 15th. “Leon’s Town Picnic kick off at noon.”
A day of great food and fun activities held on the firemen’s grounds.
“Stop in at the little church at the four corners’ and see what we have accomplished.”
Open from May through October from 10am, to 4pm.
Every Saturday
Leon's 2026 events
Come join us at the Leon Historical society
In beautiful downtown Leon.
Saturday May 17th, 2025
From 11am-3pm
We will be many celebrate
Spring along he Amish Trail.
Our museum will also be open
11am-3pm
Come and register for a free
Amish Tour for 4 people.at a later date.
Also, our second Chance Treasure shop will be open
From May- October each Saturday
At the Church.
Prices will be strictly donation's
In beautiful downtown Leon.
Saturday May 17th, 2025
From 11am-3pm
We will be many celebrate
Spring along he Amish Trail.
Our museum will also be open
11am-3pm
Come and register for a free
Amish Tour for 4 people.at a later date.
Also, our second Chance Treasure shop will be open
From May- October each Saturday
At the Church.
Prices will be strictly donation's
This was taken last year. We have part of steeple repair and are working on another step this year.
The ongoing saga of the steeple restoration continues. It is estimated that we
will need to fund raise $10,500.00 to finish the project. We are down to 2 leaks
after last year’s renovations. Now we need to finish it. We are planning a summer
Rummage sale with proceeds to the Steeple Project.
The Leon Historical Society Presents Events for 2025
May 3 rd., 2025 Church and Museum open for season. 11:00AM to 3:00 PM
every Saturday from now thru October. 'Featuring the Pennyroyal Racetrack’
May 10, 2025 Presentation: ‘Harness Racing, Sport of Farmers’ 2PM
May 26, 2025 Memorial Day Parade, 9AM
July 12, 2025 Civil War Quilt Restoration reveal.
July 19, 2025 Presentation; ‘Race Cars – Jalopies to Hot Rods’ 2PM
August 16,2025 Leon Town Picnic featuring the ‘Pennyroyal Racetrack’
Lunch starts around 1pm Open to Public, bring dish to pass.
Come and share memories.
October 11, 2025, Presentation: ‘Where Some NASCAR Drivers and Winners
Started – Driving to Fame’.
Nov 11, 2025, Veteran’s Day – ‘Honor Roll Commemoration’ 11am
Dec 7, 2025 Community Christmas Program 2PM
The ongoing saga of the steeple restoration continues. It is estimated that we
will need to fund raise $10,500.00 to finish the project. We are down to 2 leaks
after last year’s renovations. Now we need to finish it. We are planning a summer
Rummage sale with proceeds to the Steeple Project.
The Leon Historical Society Presents Events for 2025
May 3 rd., 2025 Church and Museum open for season. 11:00AM to 3:00 PM
every Saturday from now thru October. 'Featuring the Pennyroyal Racetrack’
May 10, 2025 Presentation: ‘Harness Racing, Sport of Farmers’ 2PM
May 26, 2025 Memorial Day Parade, 9AM
July 12, 2025 Civil War Quilt Restoration reveal.
July 19, 2025 Presentation; ‘Race Cars – Jalopies to Hot Rods’ 2PM
August 16,2025 Leon Town Picnic featuring the ‘Pennyroyal Racetrack’
Lunch starts around 1pm Open to Public, bring dish to pass.
Come and share memories.
October 11, 2025, Presentation: ‘Where Some NASCAR Drivers and Winners
Started – Driving to Fame’.
Nov 11, 2025, Veteran’s Day – ‘Honor Roll Commemoration’ 11am
Dec 7, 2025 Community Christmas Program 2PM
Meeting Dates for 2026
MARCH 23RD, APRIL 27TH, MAY 18TH, JUNE 22th, JULY 27TH, AUGUST 24TH, SEPEMBER 28TH, OCTOBER 26th NOVEMBER 23TH
SPECIAL DATES:
MAY 3rd opening of Exhibit!
May 25th Memorial Day parade 9am.
after Cemetery back to church and at gazebo for the reading of the Honor Roll!
June: 6th opening of our New Display of
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS was organized in October 1890.
July 18th: VINTAGE TWEETS: Suffrage Era Postcards was released in conjunction with the opening of the National Woman Suffrage Centennial marked the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, known as the Susan B Anthony Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
At The Historical Church in Leon, N.Y.
At 4pm.
July 25th: "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"
at Christmas Service at 1pm with the Cherry Creek Country church Kids!
Also, from 11am-4pm A petting Zoo and Local
crafters!
August 15th, Leon Town Picnic at Fire Hall, Hosted by Leon Historical Society, Leon Fire Company and
Auxiliary, Fire Commissioners, and
Leon Town Board.
December 6th, Community Christmas Program, 2pm
We meet from March-November Regular meeting at 6pm at the Church.
The Church is open from May-October church 10am-4pm,
Amish Tours are available through
Pat Bromley, 716-680-1161 cel,
716-296-5709 H.
Klayton Peterson, 716-574-9883 cel.
October 12, 2024
2:00 PM
1836 Church in Leon, NY
The Leon Historical Society Presents:
Jeff Martin
Mathematician and former Land and Engineering Surveyor
On The Holland Land Company Survey
How Did They Do It?
Mapping Towns and Land for Early Pioneers
How Did Pioneers Find Their Land?
History, Equipment, Techniques
October 13, 2024, is the Harvest Dinner at the Leon Fire Hall.
October 19, 2024, we will participate at WILMA at the Little Valley Fairground.
October 26th, 2024, the Quilt Ladies will again meet at the Leon Fire Hall. Fun and Free.
Call Pat 716-680-1161 or Myra Johnston 716-257-5272 for details.
October 26th, 2024, the museum will close for the season
Veterans Day is November 11, 2024, and at 11:00 AM, Lyle Milliman will give a presentation
at the 1836 Church. The Military Honor roll will be read. All are welcome.
Please stop in on Saturdays thru October from 11:00 AM to 4:PM to visit the Historian. The
museum is open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays in October.
Get your tickets for the basket raffle, the Amish Rocker, and bid on the Christmas Village.
The basket winners will be drawn at the October business meeting.
Come see the new
cushions for the 1836 Church at the Old Fashion Christmas Program on December 8th,
2024, when we will draw the winner of the Amish Rocker raffle.
Hometown Heroes Banners can still be ordered. See Debbie Milliman or Pat Bromley for
details.
Our next meeting will be Monday October 28th, 2024, at 6:00PM.
If you are interested in history, like to have a great time with great people and would like to
help make our community shine, please join us.
2:00 PM
1836 Church in Leon, NY
The Leon Historical Society Presents:
Jeff Martin
Mathematician and former Land and Engineering Surveyor
On The Holland Land Company Survey
How Did They Do It?
Mapping Towns and Land for Early Pioneers
How Did Pioneers Find Their Land?
History, Equipment, Techniques
October 13, 2024, is the Harvest Dinner at the Leon Fire Hall.
October 19, 2024, we will participate at WILMA at the Little Valley Fairground.
October 26th, 2024, the Quilt Ladies will again meet at the Leon Fire Hall. Fun and Free.
Call Pat 716-680-1161 or Myra Johnston 716-257-5272 for details.
October 26th, 2024, the museum will close for the season
Veterans Day is November 11, 2024, and at 11:00 AM, Lyle Milliman will give a presentation
at the 1836 Church. The Military Honor roll will be read. All are welcome.
Please stop in on Saturdays thru October from 11:00 AM to 4:PM to visit the Historian. The
museum is open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays in October.
Get your tickets for the basket raffle, the Amish Rocker, and bid on the Christmas Village.
The basket winners will be drawn at the October business meeting.
Come see the new
cushions for the 1836 Church at the Old Fashion Christmas Program on December 8th,
2024, when we will draw the winner of the Amish Rocker raffle.
Hometown Heroes Banners can still be ordered. See Debbie Milliman or Pat Bromley for
details.
Our next meeting will be Monday October 28th, 2024, at 6:00PM.
If you are interested in history, like to have a great time with great people and would like to
help make our community shine, please join us.
Take a trip back in time with a visit through the Old Order Amish Community. They live without all the modern conveniences such as electricity, telephone, and cars. Their lifestyle separates them from the modern world. They emphasize humility, faith, family, honesty and hard work. They are recognized by their plain dress and travel by horse and buggy.
Amish produce a variety of goods that include Quilts, Rugs, Baked Goods, Candy, Toys, wood and iron crafts, Furniture, Eggs, Fruits and vegetables. They sell their products from their homes; they have signs in their yards letting people know what they are selling. The Amish have a unique way of life which we respect, while on the tour we request that you are thoughtful and courteous of their ways.
Come join a tour where one of our Guides will join you in your vehicle and give you a 2-hour tour around the back roads and show you the great shops around the area. We will make several stops along the way where you can shop and we will share stories of the fascinating history of the area.
Tours are by reservation only
Tours are available through The Leon Historical Society Museum for more information
Contact: or email us thru our website http://leonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com
Pat Bromley (716) 296-5709
Town Historian
Klayton Peterson (716) 574-9883
Cost: $60.00 per vehicle up to six people with an additional $5.00 per additional person.
Take a trip back in time with a visit through the Old Order Amish Community. They live without all the modern conveniences such as electricity, telephone, and cars. Their lifestyle separates them from the modern world. They emphasize humility, faith, family, honesty and hard work. They are recognized by their plain dress and travel by horse and buggy.
Amish produce a variety of goods that include Quilts, Rugs, Baked Goods, Candy, Toys, wood and iron crafts, Furniture, Eggs, Fruits and vegetables. They sell their products from their homes; they have signs in their yards letting people know what they are selling. The Amish have a unique way of life which we respect, while on the tour we request that you are thoughtful and courteous of their ways.
Come join a tour where one of our Guides will join you in your vehicle and give you a 2-hour tour around the back roads and show you the great shops around the area. We will make several stops along the way where you can shop and we will share stories of the fascinating history of the area.
Tours are by reservation only
Tours are available through The Leon Historical Society Museum for more information
Contact: or email us thru our website http://leonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com
Pat Bromley (716) 296-5709
Town Historian
Klayton Peterson (716) 574-9883
Cost: $60.00 per vehicle up to six people with an additional $5.00 per additional person.
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hThe Leon Historical Society has had a very busy year - so far and more to come!!
First and foremost, we would like to thank Myra Johnson for her tireless work with our grant writing. Myra has obtained grants for us to purchase a computer and internet, a scanner/ printer, and a dehumidifier and air conditioner. These will help in the preservation of our many documents from the long ago past. Several objects have also been donated to the Society. Carol Ruth from Olean donated an antique book she had acquired. Diana Schile from Bradford, Pa. donated antique clothing. Debbie Milliman from Leon and Darci Beckmann from Ohio donated pictures and Leon books, donations of money were made by Daryl Clarke from South Dayton for the purchase of paint for the front stairs of the Church. Our ‘Hometown Hero’s’ wall at the church was mudded and painted by member Brian Spiller from Leon. The pictures were reframed by Lynnette McElmurray, Sec. and Barb Beckman member and rehung by Klay and Kole Bromley. The last of our Veterans signs by the gazebo was made and donated by Fran Bailey from Buffalo, a former Leon resident. Jeff Martin will be giving a presentation about the Holland Land Co on 12 Oct at the church. This will be the last in the series of presentations. The Basket Auction and of the Christmas Village will also be held on that date as well. We have also had 2 other Holland Land Co presentations. The first with Tina Scherman on 4 May for the opening of the Leon Historical Society, 2024. The second was with Catherine Oag-Miller the Conservator at the Barker Museum in Fredonia, NY. Her presentation featured Joseph Ellicott who was the head Surveyor in the area with the Holland Land Co. The Covil War Reunion for the 154th Regiment was held on 13 July at the Church with a full house!! Mark Dunkleman has done a fantastic job in organizing the events for many years. Thank you, Mark!!! Continued work in fundraising for repairs to our church steeple is in constant motion. At our Christmas Program on 8 Dec, we will auction our Amish Hickory Rocker made by Eli Raber. Tickets are available at the Church on Saturdays or from any member thru 8 December 2024. Fred Milliman will be hosting a Pennyroyal racetrack car that he built. It is a fine replica of what racing used to be, at the Leon Town Picnic on Saturday 17 August. We are opening every Saturday from 10am-4pm! “WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT OUR COMING EVENTS” Written By Lynnette McElmurray |
Leon Historical Society Holds Busy Business Meeting
The Leon Historical Society held their monthly business meeting at the 1836 Church on August 27, 2024. A very busy time in Leon! Klayton Peterson, President opened the meeting at 6:05 PM followed by a prayer by Dennis Crourse. Lynnette McElmurray, Secretary gave the reports from the last business meeting held on July 22, 2024, and a Board Meeting held on August 3, 2024. Motion to accept both were made by Dennis Crouse and Klayton Peterson and accepted. Treasurer John Reukauf was absent; thus, the financial report is held until the next business meeting. The Church repairs and steeple project brought up to date with progress reports and estimate reports by Brian Spiller, Pat Bromley and Klayton Peterson. Many parts of the puzzle are coming together. The Clark quilt that was sent out to a Textile Conservator in Coheres, NY for assessment has returned, and the paperwork is to follow. NYS Pathway thru History Weekend is October 12-13, 2024 and we are presenting the last in our series on ‘The Holland Land Company and You’. Jeff Martin will present a program on land surveying at the 1836 Church at 2PM, October 12th. The public is welcome, no admission but donations are welcome. A section of the church floor has been torn up and replacement is in progress. Please avoid the area that is blocked off. New cushions for the church pews were discussed and it was agreed we could probably cover the existing ones. We are hoping to get them done in time for our Christmas program. We are elated that the Amish have offered to help. A Quilting Group is meeting on September 14th, 2024 at the Fire Hall and anyone is welcome to bring their project and join us. 9Am to 4PM, bring something for your lunch and what you need to work on your quilt project. Please call 716-680-1161 or 716-257-5272 if you would like to come so we have enough stations setup. Home Town Heroes Banners can still be ordered. See Debbie Milliman or Pat Bromley for details. The basket raffle and the raffle for the complete Christmas Village is continuing and winners will be drawn at the October meeting. The Amish rocker raffle will be drawn at the Christmas program. Stop by the church from 10AM to 4 PM on Saturdays or contact Pat Bromley to purchase your tickets. Our next meeting will be Monday September 23rd, 2024 at 6:00PM. If you are interested in history, like to have a great time with great people and would like to help make our community shine, please join us. …………Respectfully Submitted by Myra Johnston |
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This clock hung here in the Leon grange, when it was active. At the time the grange was disbanded, 1978 |
Leon Historical Society Enjoys Lecture on Holland Land Company for History Weekend At 11:00 Am on June 15th the Leon Historical Society and the public participated in New York’s History Weekend. We enjoyed a special presentation about the Holland Land Company by Catherine Oag-Miller, Archivist at the Darwin R. Barker Historical Museum of Fredonia, New York. She spoke at the old 1836 Church in Leon, New York. This added more depth to the information in our museum exhibit. She also brought old deeds and documents from the Holland Land Company showing Joseph Ellicott’s signature. We wish to thank her for the enlightenment. We had a great time celebrating some of the amazing history of our area. Our last Holland Land Company speaker will be October 19, 2024 at the Old 1836 Church at 11:00 AM on the changes in land surveying from Holland Land Company times to today. The public is invited, and the event is free.
Photo: Klayton Peterson Respectfully submitted by Myra Johnston |
May 4th opens our museum with a presentation and display on the Holland Land
Company. The museum and display will be open every Saturday from May thru October from 11am to 2pm. See how the surveyor marked out the land with a transit like they used back then. See if you would like to join the expedition to get Western New York ready for the pioneers to come and settle. their land claims. See the process the surveyor and later our ancestors went thru to settle here, and the politics and grit that made it all happen. click link above for more information. May 27th, Memorial Day parade at 9am followed by the reading. Of the Military Honor roll saluting and honoring our Service men and women at the gazebo. Also stop at the church and see pictures of our servicemen and women. July 13th The 20th annual reunion of our Civil War Servicemen from the 154th New York Volunteers. The reunion was hosted in Leon in 2004, and now we have the honor to host again. Mark Dunkleman , author and Civil War Historian and lecturer will be here to celebrate with us. More information to come! August 17th The Annual Leon’s Town Picnic noon-?? Go back in time to reminisce the famous little dirt racetrack in Leon, NY- The Penny Royal Racetrack with Fred Milliman at the picnic. December 8th at 2pm! Old Fashion Christmas |
Leon Historical Society Meetings for 2024:
March 25, April 22, May 20, June 24, July 22, August 26, September23, October 28, November 25 Tours are available by reservation only through The Leon Historical Society Museum for more information contact or email [email protected] Pat Bromley (716) 296-5709-H 716-680-1161-cell. Clayton Peterson, Pres.-716-574-9883 |
Map of Leon Center
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DONATIONS NEEDED FOR STEEPLE & ROOF REPAIR
(below our images of areas that are in need of repair)
post date: 05/10/2024
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Memorial Day parade is Monday the 27th at 9am at four corners in Leon march to cemetery and after the Historical is reading our Honor Roll Call honoring veterans. stop into church and also see the wall of veterans! |
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