Great Lakes Trip 2019 Day 3

East Aurora NY
Home of President Millard Fillmore

This is the home of our 13th President, Millard Fillmore.
This is the only house built by and lived in by a president.
He and his family lived here for about 4 years in the 1820s.
There are many items in the house that actually belonged to the Fillmores.
Our docent Kathy was a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who truly seemed to love the Fillmore legacy.
A lock of Millard Fillmore’s hair.
President and Abigail Fillmore’s bed. The quilt was made by Abigail, and is silk.
Millard Fillmore made this table.
The bookcase was the actual first library in the White House. First Lady Abigail Fillmore, a teacher by training, was stunned to see there were no books in the White House when they moved in, in 1850. She petitioned Congress for the funds to create the first White House library.

Vidler’s 5&10 Store

This is a throwback vintage 5 and Dime store with many vintage items among a huge store.

Buffalo NY
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

President William McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo in September 1901.
Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President at this location, a private home.
This is where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in.
Both President McKinley and Vice President Roosevelt were in Buffalo to attend the Pan-American Exposition, which was a very large exposition demonstrating modern conveniences, including, for the very first time – French Fried Potatoes!
The museum has a nice setup of panels explaining the scale of the exposition.
At the time in 1901, Buffalo, New York was the 8th largest city in the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office at this “pie crust” table in this room.
(The table is a replica.)
Replica of President Roosevelt’s Oval Office desk.
President Roosevelt faced many issues as he assumed office.
This museum was pretty neat. The docent “transported” us back to 1901, painting a detailed picture of Buffalo in 1901, the excitement of the exciting exposition, and then the shock of the assassination, and then the Roosevelt swearing in.

Lake Erie

Lake Erie, at Hamburg NY Town Park
Lake Erie
Buffalo skyline from about 8 miles away.

Jamestown NY
Lucille Ball Desi – Arnaz Museum

Crossing off a bucket list item. This was actually a pretty cool museum for any Baby Boomers who grew up watching I Love Lucy!
The Ricardos’ kitchen
The Ricardos’ living room
The Hollywood apartment
This is what the production crew and studio audience looked like to the cast as they were being filmed.
This is me doing the Vitameatavegamin sketch. I can show you the video if you are up for a laugh and a cringe!
Lucille Ball’s gravesite.
Lucille Ball’s childhood home
Statue at Lucille Ball Memorial Park
Celoron Lighthouse at Chautauqua Lake.
Chautauqua Lake