Finger Lakes museum sets meetings

YATES COUNTY—The Finger Lakes Visitors Association (FLVA) will co-sponsor two community information meetings in August regarding the planned Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum to be located in Yates County. The first will be co-sponsored by Fulkerson Winery and The Observer and held Thursday evening, Aug. 26, 7 p.m. at the Fulkerson Winery, 5576 Route 14. The second forum will be co-sponsored by the FLVA and the Bluff Point Association, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m. at the Yates County Office Building auditorium, on Liberty Street in Penn Yan.
According to Steve Knapp, executive director of the Finger Lakes Visitors Association, “These sessions will give residents the opportunity to learn more about the plans to create a world-class, eco-friendly museum, and to express their ideas for this exciting project.” Keuka Lake State Park was selected from 19 site submissions throughout the Finger Lakes to be the home of the museum, with a planned opening in 2014. Until then, then, the museum will use the former Branchport Elementary School, and its surrounding 14 acres, for offices and some initial programs.
The two August events in Yates County will be the first of many to be held, as the museum will represent the cultural and natural history of the entire 11-county Finger Lakes Region. Similar meetings are planned soon in Cayuga, Ontario, and Steuben counties. Further information can be obtained by contacting Steve Knapp at 607-243-7213 or sknapp@theflva.org.