Canisteo Valley Historical Society raises $117K for new museum in Arkport. See where.

The Canisteo Valley Historical Society hasn't had an actual home since it was founded in 1874, but when the organization finally decided it was time to get a place, they were not fooling around.

At about the halfway point, a capital campaign for a new museum and office space has raised nearly $120,000 and after 150 years, the Canisteo Valley Historical Society will have a place to call home at 5 East Ave. in Arkport.

The Historical Society calls the amount it has raised so far for the house and renovations "staggering."

"I am just wowed and blown away by such an unbelievable response," said Historical Society President Larry Jones. "We are talking about $10,000 donations that have come in, $5,000."

The Historical Society's original goal was $80,000. They blew past that in less than a month. Contributions poured in from historical society members − there are about 330 − and from individuals and businesses in the wider community, where more than $25,000 has been raised.

Contributors will be recognized on Founders Wall, with numerous donations made by families in memory of loved ones.

"I saw things come in from people I wouldn’t expect to give those types of gifts. So, there’s a connection," Jones said.

As of early this week, the capital campaign had brought in $117,000.

Historical Society's new home: 'The McCarthy House'

The historical society has an agreement for the East Avenue house in the village. Originally called the "Rork House," the structure was built in the 1870s and is just a short walk from Arkport's "four corners."

The McCarthy family owned the house for many years, leading the Historical Society to call their new home “The McCarthy House.”

The sale is expected to be finalized in the fall. The historical society estimates there will be at least $40,000 in renovations to complete, including installing ramps and widening doors to ensure the museum is handicap accessible.

How Historical Society's new home will be utilized

Plans are for the first floor to feature displays and rotating historical exhibits. Additional space on the first floor will be used for meetings. The second floor will be storage space for donations and historical society collections.

"For the past 17 years, members of the Society have been donating treasures which have been stored in the homes of officers. Those who donated did so with the hopes and expectations that there would soon be a proper home," said Dorothy Dunham, historical society secretary and a direct descendant of Arkport founder Christopher Hurlbut.

The museum and office is on target to open next spring, the historical society said, putting them on at least equal footing with history groups in nearby Almond , Canaseraga and Wayland.

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How to donate Canisteo Valley Historical Society capital campaign

The capital campaign will continue through the remainder of 2024. Tax deductible donations can be made online or by mail by sending a check to the Canisteo Valley Historical Society, PO Box 123, Arkport, N.Y., 14807.

Yearly membership in the historical society is $10. Members receive an eight-page newsletter four times each year. In recent years, the group has held meetings in the Arkport Municipal Building.

Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Canisteo Valley Historical Society raises $117K for new museum in Arkport. See where.