Richard Pryor. Carlin is the only comedian who has his own ex-
hibit thanks to the donation by Kelly Carlin of her father’s exten-
sive archives packed in seven steamer trunks. His notes have been
digitized and organized by theme.
The comedy center also operates the nearby Lucy Desi Mu-
seum. Since its opening in 1996 it has welcomed fans from all
over the world. There are costumes, awards, photos, and other
vintage memorabilia. With a push of a button you can hear audio
clips from Desi’s autobiography and stories of Lucy’s youthful
antics as told by her childhood pals. There’s Lucy’s car, and the
set from their TV apartment, as well as a bedroom set that was
available for sale and designed to match the TV version.
Among the most fascinating facts about Lucy and Desi is that
since the debut of the first “I Love Lucy” show on October 15,
1951, it has never been off the air although the last show was May
6, 1957 when it was still number one. It also appears on TV in 57
countries and has been dubbed in 22 languages.
Two other Jamestown natives had careers that brought na-
tional and international acclaim and they are honored in separate
centers open to visitors.
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of National History
opened in 1984 as an educational institution to preserve Peter-
son’s lifetime work. He was a world renowned naturalist who il-
lustrated and chronicled the natural world in his books, drawings,
and paintings. He credited his seventh grade teacher in Jamestown
with encouraging his passion for nature. Outside there are nature
trails and the museum store has a wide choice of books and other
items suitable for all ages.
The Institute is hosting a Holiday Open House on December
1 with free admission, refreshments, nature walks, holiday shop-
ping and other activities.
Anyone interested in law and history should stop at the Rob-
ert H. Jackson Center, located in an historic 1858 mansion,
which explores the life and work of Jackson, who served as a
U.S. Supreme Court Justice and the Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the
Nuremburg trials that brought the Nazi leaders to justice folllow-
ing World War II. An exhibit explores his close relationship with
his high school English teacher who Jackson said was one of the
most important in his life. Their friendship lasted until her death.
Downstairs is a powerful exhibit of lithographs that depict
the individuals that carried out Hitler’s policies.
Fans of the classic Louisa May Alcott book Little Women,
the story of the four March sisters, should visit Jamestown’s Fen-
ton History Center for “A Little Women Holiday.” The special
exhibit honors the 150th anniversary of the publication of the be-
loved book and begins December 1 and continues through Janu-
ary 5, 2019. The mansion has been transformed by scenes from
the book. The center is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and was the family home of native son Reuben E. Fen-
ton who was a close political associate of Abraham Lincoln and
served as New York Governor, U.S. Congressman, and U.S. Sena-
tor. Since 1964 it has served as a local history center.
The Chautauqua Institution, founded in 1874, has long
been the area’s most famous attraction with its summer season
of speakers, art, music, drama, and sports that attract thousands
of visitors. Continuing a new tradition launched last year, the In-
stitution is hosting the 2018 Winter Village at Chautauqua on
weekends through Dec. 31.
continued on page 65
December 2018 WNY Family 51