By Jeff Martin
Ellen Frank, a lifelong resident of Ellicottville, has been appointed as the new Town Historian, bringing with her a deep commitment to preserving the town’s rich heritage. With 33 years of experience as an elementary school teacher in Salamanca and nine years as Vice President of the Ellicottville Historical Society, Frank has been instrumental in organizing events that engage the community with local history, including historical walking tours and ghost walks that have drawn hundreds of participants.
In her new role, Frank oversees the Ellicottville Historical Society Museum, located in a historic 1853 building at 2 Washington Street. The museum operates from June through September, Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm, and relies heavily on volunteers to staff the building during these hours. In 2024, the museum welcomed 1,338 visitors from 25 states and eight countries, highlighting its role as a cultural hub in Ellicottville.
Plough (a volunteer)
and Stephanie Hicks a
visitor to the museum
this summer.
Frank emphasizes the importance of volunteerism in maintaining the museum’s operations and programs.
“It takes a certain person to want to volunteer their time,” she noted, encouraging community members to participate.
In 2024, the museum had 18 active volunteers, a relatively high number but still not quite enough to fully support the museum’s expanding programming.
Volunteerism plays a vital role in small communities across the United States, fostering social cohesion and enhancing local services. According to the Almanor Foundation, volunteers are essential in supporting community infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where they contribute significantly to social services and cultural preservation. This type of engagement not only helps sustain operations like the Ellicottville Historical Society but also strengthens the social fabric of the community.
Frank has also witnessed significant changes in the village over her 50 years living there.
To address space constraints in the museum’s historic building, Frank is seeking climate-controlled storage solutions for the society’s growing collection of artifacts. The 1853 structure, while charming, offers limited room for preserving delicate historical items properly. Additionally, Frank continues to lead historical walking tours and ghost walks, providing residents and visitors with immersive experiences into Ellicottville’s past.
Historical societies like the Ellicottville Historical Society play a crucial role in preserving local heritage, acting as stewards of artifacts, documents, and stories of historical significance.
Beyond static displays, historical societies often engage in architectural preservation, genealogy research, educational outreach, and events that connect the public to their local history, according to information by the Historical Society of Baltimore County.
Frank, who is paid in her role as historian but volunteers her time with extra activities like guided tours, believes that expanding volunteerism and historical education is essential for the society’s continued success. Involving younger generations can be especially impactful, as seen in programs where students conduct oral history projects, helping both to document local stories and teach students about their community’s roots.
As the 2025 season approaches, Frank remains committed to increasing public participation and preserving Ellicottville’s unique historical legacy. Monthly meetings at the Ellicottville Memorial Library feature guest speakers on various historical topics, providing further opportunities for education and community engagement.
Frank’s efforts echo a national trend of renewed civic engagement, reminding communities that the preservation of history relies on the dedication of those willing to share and protect it for future generations.
If you have volunteer you believe deserves the spotlight, please nominate them. It’s easy! Simply log on to www.thevillagerny.com and click “General Submissions”: in the topic reference “Volunteer”. We look forward to hearing from you and highlighting our heroes.