Upcoming Bicentennial
On March 21, 2021 (less than 3 years from now) the town o Collins will celebrate its bicentennial; two weeks prior to the Erie County bicentennial! The historical society would like to make this the biggest event in the town's history; okay, the biggest event not associated with a possible murder!
In order to meet the goal we have set, we need volunteers to help! People with ideas, vision and the ability to carry through! If you are such a person, or a person with at least one of those qualities....WE NEED YOU!
A great deal of planning and fund raising will need to be accomplished and our most fundamental wish...to open our own museum by the bicentennial needs to be accomplished. The historical society cannot do this alone. We need help! So, please; if you are presently a resident of the town of Collins (including residents in the Collins portion of Gowanda and the Cattaraugus Reservation); or, if you were once a resident; or if you have memories of the area from days gone by; or, if you just want to be involved....the first Bicentennial meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 7 at 7:00 pm at the LK Painter Center Community Room; mark your calendar and join us!
The Historical Society will also be hosting an Ice Cream Social at the LK Painter Center on Sunday, August 12, 2018. The Ice Cream Social holds its own special place in history...after all, ice cream wasn't something for everyday people, until the late 1700's, ice cream was only enjoyed by the upper class!
The first recorded use of ice cream in America was in 1744 when Thomas Bladen, Governor of Maryland served ice cream at a dinner party. Thomas Jefferson would become the first president to serve ice cream at the White House (1802).
Ice Cream socials would become a delicious treats at schools and churches until the late 1860's when the South Dakota Ladies Sewing Society raised money by hosting a fund raiser utilizing ice cream and cake. Other organizations began to follow suit and today's ice cream socials are highly anticipated.
To learn more about the history of ice cream click here
Don't forget, the annual car show is July 21