Demolition paused for old museum

LITTLE VALLEY One hundred years ago this month, more than 200 Civil War veterans gathered in Little Valley to dedicate the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building.

Last year, the Cattaraugus County Legislature voted to demolish the former Cattaraugus County Museum on Court Street, across from the County Center, when the adjoining Board of Elections building was vacated after the office was moved to a new location.

After the firestorm of criticism from preservationists, including descendants of the 154th Regiment of Civil War soldiers from Cattaraugus County, the Public Works Committee decided to temporarily suspend demolition efforts while working with those who sought to save the historic building.

The museum moved 10 years ago to the Stone House in Machias. The former museum has stood vacant since then.

Mark Dunkleman, a descendant of a 154th Regiment soldier and a supporter of keeping the building, emailed supporters this week asking them to contact Public Works Committee members to work with preservationists to save the historic building.

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Demolition paused for old museum