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40-570: The mission of the James Prendergast Library is to provide access to information resources, staff, facilities and services that respond to the pursuit of knowledge, education, lifelong learning opportunities and cultural enrichment by the people of the City of Jamestown and Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. In 2019, the library contained 134,733 individual physical works and received 143,586 visitors. The current executive director

80-405: A Richardsonian Romanesque design with rounded arches, Medina sandstone exterior, and turret on the southeast corner. Mary Prendergast specifically dictated that the steps entering the building on the south side be cut from a single stone and that the library be surrounded by a rock wall on three sides. James Prendergast’s desire to have a free library was an idea ahead of its time. As was noted by

120-511: A county executive and a 13-seat county legislature. The county council currently consists of 19 members each elected from single-member districts. As of 2024, there are 14 Republicans and 5 Democrats. Prior to changes in representation of the New York State Assembly , each county had a given number of representatives. The following were representatives of Chautauqua County. Jamestown Community College has two campuses in

160-461: A man ahead of his time.” The libraries first children's room was opened in 1897. Located in the octagonal tower on the southeast corner of the building, the opening celebration was attended by more than 1,000 children. From the opening in 1891 until 1905, the stacks were closed to the public. The board decided to hold a five-week experiment and announced that as of November 1905 the stacks would be open for public browsing. On June 19, 1941, through

200-685: A member of the Federalist Party, along with Daniel Chapin of Buffalo. They were defeated by the Republicans, Daniel McCleary and Elias Osborn . On December 13, 1816, the Jamestown Post-Office was established and Prendergast served as first postmaster. He served until October 24, 1824, when Laban Hazeltine (a brother of Abner Hazeltine ) became postmaster. In 1836, he sold his land in Jamestown and moved to Ripley, in

240-608: A memorandum that James wished the income from his business interests, the Prendergast block, be used to establish a free library in Jamestown. On January 1, 1880, eleven days after his death, It was announced that James' parents, Alexander and Mary Prendergast, had already taken steps to ensure that their son's wishes would "be carried out to the every letter." On January 29, 1880, the James Prendergast Library Association of Jamestown, New York,

280-566: A new home. In 1812, the Town of Elicott was formed from the Town of Pomfret and Prendergast was elected the first Supervisor of the Town of Ellicott and served from 1813 to 1815. He also served as Inspector of Schools in 1814, along with Solomon Jones and Theron Plumb. In 1814, he became an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1815, Prendergast was nominated for New York State Assembly as

320-543: Is Anne Greene, who was appointed by the board of trustees in February 2020. On December 21, 1879, James Prendergast, 31, a prominent lawyer and grandson of James Prendergast , the founder of Jamestown, unexpectedly died in Buffalo, NY, while being treated for an illness. He had begun to write a will, but it was not complete when he died. While arranging James' business affairs, his business partner, Eleazer Green, discovered

360-608: Is Gurnsey Benchmark at 2,180 feet (660 meters). Chautauqua County is one of the few counties in the US to border two counties of the same name in different states (Erie County in New York and Pennsylvania). As of the 2000 census , there were 139,750 people, 54,515 households, and 35,979 families in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile (51 people/km ). There were 64,900 housing units at an average density of 61 per square mile (24/km ). The racial makeup of

400-657: Is part of the Western New York region of the state. Chautauqua County comprises the Jamestown– Dunkirk – Fredonia , NY Micropolitan Statistical Area . It is located south east of Lake Erie and includes a small portion of the Cattaraugus Reservation of the Seneca. Prior to European colonization, most of what is now Chautauqua County was inhabited by the indigenous Erie people prior to

440-483: Is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of New York . As of the 2020 census , the population was 127,657. Its county seat is Mayville , and its largest city is Jamestown . Its name is believed to be the lone surviving remnant of the Erie language , a tongue lost in the 17th century Beaver Wars ; its meaning is unknown and a subject of speculation. The county was created in 1808 and organized in 1811. The county

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480-721: The Beaver Wars in the 1650s. French forces traversed the territory beginning in 1615. The Seneca Nation conquered the territory during the Beaver Wars and held it through the next century until siding with the British crown, their allies for most of the 18th century, against the American revolutionaries in the American Revolutionary War . Chautauqua County was organized by the state legislature during

520-405: The "South County" centered on Jamestown each having their own interests. The county is generally composed of rolling hills and valleys, with elevations ranging anywhere between 1100 and 2100 feet, although the land within a few miles of Lake Erie is generally flat and at an elevation of 1000 feet or lower. The lowest point in the county is Lake Erie, at 571 feet (174 meters), and the highest point

560-500: The 29th district (the old 31st) by Rochester suburbs that had never before been part of the district. Chautauqua County, at the same time, joined southern Erie County and portions of the City of Buffalo in the 27th, areas that had also never been in the same district with each other. In both cases, the suburban additions had significantly more Democratic populations than before, leading to Democrats winning both districts, which led to accusations of cracking-based gerrymandering . Though

600-407: The 54,515 households 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 28.10% of households were one person and 12.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99. The age distribution was 24.50% under

640-530: The Association’s second librarian, Mary Emogene Hazeltine , “There were no free libraries in the 1870s, as the movement for free circulating books did not even begin until 1876, was barely underway in 1893, and did not gain much head-way until 1900. For this reason, the memorandum found in James Prendergast’s desk, perhaps written as early as 1876 when he built the Prendergast block, proves him to have been

680-780: The Gulf of Mexico; the rest of the county's watershed empties into Lake Erie and via Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway into the North Atlantic Ocean. This divide, known as the Chautauqua Ridge , can be used to mark the border between the Southern Tier and the Niagara Frontier . It is also a significant dividing point in the county's geopolitics , with the "North County" being centered on Dunkirk and

720-517: The Prendergast family, consisting of the children, grandchildren, and servants, traveled to Wheeling, Virginia and then to Louisville, Kentucky, before they arrived in Memphis, Tennessee. Unsatisfied, the family moved to Upper Canada in what is now Ontario. James Prendergast settled in the area that became Jamestown, New York . He discovered the area when searching for runaway horses. He returned to Pittstown where he married Agnes Thompson in 1807. She

760-556: The Prendergasts: paintings from their personal collection consisting of landscapes of their property and family portraits. In 1960 the collection expanded by nine paintings via a donation by Elizabeth Gillmer Packard of Lakewood, NY. All of these pieces were by American painters. Other pieces have been donated by community members and organizations throughout the course of the library’s history. James Prendergast (pioneer) James Prendergast (March 9, 1764—November 15, 1846)

800-537: The Republican Party has historically been dominant in Chautauqua County politics, the county had been a perfect bellwether county from 1980 to 2008, correctly voting for the winner of each presidential election in all eight elections during that time. However, in 2012, it voted for Republican Mitt Romney even as Democrat Barack Obama won re-election, marking its first miss since 1976. In 2016

840-417: The age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males. The median household income was $ 33,458 and the median family income was $ 41,054. Males had a median income of $ 32,114 versus $ 22,214 for females. The per capita income for

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880-591: The age of 65. Of the population, 49.3% (66,509 people) were male and 50.7% (68,396 people) were female. All of the county is in the 150th New York State Assembly district, represented by Andy Goodell , and the New York State Senate 57th district represented by George Borrello . The entire county is within the bounds of New York's 23rd congressional district which is represented by Nick Langworthy . The 2012 redistricting process moved all of Chautauqua County into Goodell's assembly district, while

920-401: The counties were not properly organized for self-government, so they were all administered as part of Niagara County . On February 9, 1811, Chautauqua was completely organized, and its separate government was launched. This established Chautauqua as a county of 1,100 square miles (2,800 square kilometres) of land. Chautauqua has not been altered since. The first New York Chautauqua Assembly

960-409: The county also rejoined the former 31st (renumbered again as the 23rd) congressional district along with Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. Prior to 2013, the county was part of New York's 27th congressional district . Prior to 2003, the county was part of New York's 31st congressional district , but it was controversially redistricted out of that district and into what was the 27th, and was replaced in

1000-490: The county at Jamestown and Dunkirk. The State University of New York at Fredonia is located in the northern part of the county. Jamestown Business College offered two year degrees, certificates, and a four-year degree in Jamestown, prior to its decision to cease new enrollments in 2024. † - county seat †† - former village Joyce Carol Oates ' 1996 novel, We Were the Mulvaneys is set in rural Chautauqua County, near

1040-405: The county reverted back to being solidly Republican, as Donald Trump won the county by the largest margin since Ronald Reagan in 1984. Chautauqua County is one of nineteen “charter counties” in New York, which grants the county greater leeway in conducting its own affairs. A board of supervisors governed Chautauqua County until 1975, when a new county charter went into effect with provisions for

1080-670: The county was $ 16,840. About 9.70% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 census , there were 134,905 people in the county. The population density was 127 people per square mile (49 people/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 92.57% (124,875 people) white, 2.37% (3,197 people) African-American, 0.51% (688 people) Asian, 0.51% (689 people) Native American/Alaskan, 0.03% (34 people) Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 1.98% (2,669 people) other, and 2.04% (2,751 people) two or more races. The Hispanic/Latino population of any race

1120-521: The county was 94.04% White, 2.18% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 4.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In terms of ancestry, 17.3% were German , 15.1% were Italian , 11.6% were Swedish , 10.9% were English , 9.3% were Polish , 9.2% were Irish and 5.6% were of American ancestry according to Census 2000 . 93.0% spoke English and 3.8% Spanish as their first language. Of

1160-459: The current collection consist of the original paintings with additions bequeathed to the library over the years. The first pieces of art consisted of 32 oil paintings, most purchased from the J.J. Gillespie Company Fine Art Galleries in Pittsburgh, PA, and most by European artists (Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and French). The next pieces of art to be added to the collection were also from

1200-592: The development of western New York after the American Revolutionary War and the ratification of The Treaty of Canandaigua , between the United States and the Council of the Six Nations. It was officially separated from Genesee County on March 11, 1808. This partition was performed under the same terms that produced Cattaraugus and Niagara counties. The partition was done for political purposes, but

1240-428: The efforts of E. Snell Hall, the chairman of the library board, and a dedicated number of friends of the library, a new children's room was dedicated. Located in the basement where the old stack space had been, it held up to 18 children at one time. In 1960, the library joined and became the major central library of the two-county regional Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System . In 1960, a planned $ 250,000 expansion to

James Prendergast Library - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-529: The library. Ground initially broke in 1961, focusing on a basement level addition and renovation for the newly formed Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System. The work continued again in 1968, expanding the library to its current size. All told, 16,500 square feet were added to the library at a cost of $ 562,000. Since the opening of the library in 1891, an art gallery has been maintained. In her will, Mary Prendergast directed her executors to purchase paintings, for which she left $ 25,000, after her death in 1889. Much of

1320-613: The northern part of the county. His wife Agnes died at Ripley on January 9, 1839, at the age of 68. James Prendergast died at his home in Kiantone on November 15, 1846, at the age of 82. He was buried in Prendergast Cemetery. Prendergast had one son, Alexander, and a grandson named James, who is the namesake of James Prendergast Library in Jamestown, New York . Chautauqua County, New York Chautauqua County

1360-428: The original building was announced. It was determined that the existing library space, which was handling an annual circulation of 200,000, was less than one-third adequate for operation. The addition was to contain a new main entrance, circulation desk, and all circulation materials. The existing art gallery would remain unchanged, as well as the south side of the building in order to maintain the traditional atmosphere of

1400-618: The southwestern corner of New York State, along the New York- Pennsylvania border, is the westernmost of New York's counties. Chautauqua Lake is located in the center of the county, and Lake Erie is its northern border. Part of the Eastern Continental Divide runs through Chautauqua County. The area that drains into the Conewango Creek (including Chautauqua Lake) eventually empties into

1440-481: Was established by special act of the New York State Legislature. The act was signed into law by Gov. Alonzo B. Cornell . The library first opened on December 1, 1891, at a cost of $ 60,000 for the building and $ 45,000 for a furnished art gallery. The initial collection comprised 7,555 works under the care of Samuel G. Love . Constructed by architect A.J. Warner of Rochester, the building had

1480-580: Was 6.11% (8,241 people). In terms of ancestry, 25% were German , 16% were Italian , 12.8% were Swedish , 16% were English , 10.6% were Polish , 14.9% were Irish and 3.2% were of American ancestry according to the 2010 Census . 92.9% spoke English and 4.1% Spanish as their first language. The age distribution was 21.83% of the population under the age of 18, 3.82% (5,155 people) ages 18 and 19, 7.50% (10,113 people) ages 20–24, 10.37% (13,985 people) ages 25–34, 18.83% (25,406 people) ages 35–49, 21.07% (28,419 people) ages 50–64, and 16.59% (22,381 people) over

1520-543: Was an American pioneer and politician, an early settler of Chautauqua County, New York , and the first founder and namesake of the city of Jamestown, New York . Prendergast was born on March 9, 1764, in Pawling, New York, a son of William Prendergast, Sr. (1727—1811) and Mehetabel Wing (1738—1812). Among his siblings included Jediah and John , both New York State Senators. After the American Revolution,

1560-472: Was born on September 18, 1771, in Galloway, Scotland. He brought his family, along with John and Mary Bowers, to Chautauqua County in 1810, and stayed with his brother Matthew during the winter of 1810–1811. Bowers built a log home near the future city and James built a log house nearby in the spring of 1811, along with a dam and sawmill. The house and mill were destroyed by fire in 1812, and he went on to build

1600-402: Was organized in 1874 by Methodist minister John Heyl Vincent and businessman Lewis Miller in the county at a campsite on the shores of Chautauqua Lake . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,500 square miles (3,900 km ), of which 1,060 square miles (2,700 km ) is land and 440 square miles (1,100 km ) (29%) is water. Chautauqua County, in

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