The Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake

Exhibit historic boats, artifacts and educational material that relate to Chautauqua lakes rich Boating history. Exhibit The Lawson family collection of historic Boating artifacts, wood-working tools, boat building tools, and photography. Provide a venue for community activity and event forums. Provide a marina learning experience. Create a nautical reference library for use by The membership and guests. Accomplished through december 31, 2023, The Center was able to maintain normal museum hours listed below despite lower numbers of volunteer docents. Musueum hours memorial day through labor day weekends and holidays:saturday 10am-5pm and sunday 1pm-5pm, additionally during july and august wednesday 1pm-5pm and at other times per request. Current average membership - 303. Classes of membership: individual, family, partner, corporate, friend of The Lawson Center. Continue membership development. With The help of grants from The Chautauqua region community foundation, we are able to install a system of security cameras to better protect The assets and The collections of The museum, and a sound system to provide background music to enhance The experience of our visitors. We also secured grants to maintain and replace part of our outdoor decks, The work to be completed in The spring.

Preservation and restoration of classic boats that in The past years graced our Lake. Accomplished through december 31, 2023: work was completed on a 1953 17 chris craft rocket (ski-fox)(the marsh boat) and another 1953 17 chris craft, The hancock boat. Also, th1 958 17 higgins was completed and work was started on a 1952 18 chris craft riviera. All are examples of The historic boats that graced our area over The years as well as The craftsmanship we are preserving. This was accomplished by The hard work of our volunteers and The generous support of our members.

Conduct educational classes, forums, seminars and workshops centered on The historical aspects of The Lawson Center, maritime history of Chautauqua Lake, The history of wood boat building, and The lessons of Boating. We were able to conduct a more normal schedule of classes, forums, seminars and workshops. Our summer lecture series was held pretty much as normal with good attendance and response. School tours were held in The spring. We were able to receive 1,565 museum visitors, 276 for adult education seminars and 3074 attended member and private events at our venue.