Gail Black of Westfield was the recent speaker at the Valley Historical Society in Sinclairville. She is shown with her homemade basket for collecting grapes as a young girl.

SINCLAIRVILLE — Gail Black from Westfield, who is a woman of many talents, was the speaker at the recent Valley Historical Society meeting.

The Valley Historical Society is located in the village at Main and Lester Streets.

Meetings are held monthly on the first Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the museum. Larry Barmore is the president who welcomed all, and led all in the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Evelyn Thorndike is the secretary who read the minutes of the previous meeting and John Sipos is the treasurer who gave the financial report of the society. Susan Sipos provided refreshments.

Black is a lifelong resident of Chautauqua County. She has been involved in the family business of furs, served as a police matron, the author of three books and two articles, a grape farmer, and now has a museum and sells syrup on her farm on Route 5 between Brocton and Westfield. She welcomes all to visit her museum. She talked about all of her occupations and had photographs and sample products to show all.

Norm Taylor of Taylor Doughboys was helping her carry items for display.

A very interesting and informative talk was enjoyed by all.

The Valley Historical Society is the official historical society of the Cassadaga Valley area.

The society was formed by the late John and Ruth Smith, the late Rev. John Rough, and Walter Waite of Cassadaga. The society was formed in 1977 when they saw a need to preserve the history of the valley area, and purchased the museum in 1978.

The museum is open on Sundays from 2 until 5 p.m. except holiday Sundays. There is no charge for tours. New members are always welcome.