Ryan Duffy

Ryan Duffy was all about the numbers while discussing his annual report with legislators during Genesee County’s Human Services meeting this week.

The Holland Land Office Museum executive director talked about 287, the current membership, and how the museum is just 13 shy of the goal to reach 300 by year’s end; the $43,000 he was able to obtain through grant funds; $5,000 made from Wonderland of Trees; more than 200 videos, 15,000 views and 250 subscribers on the museum’s Artifact Video Series on YouTube; and a collection of nearly 22,000 objects.

“And in March, we were awarded the 2023 special recognition award by the Chamber of Commerce. So celebrating our 130th year as a museum, we got a little recognition for it,” Duffy said. “We were very proud of that, and I'm really just proud of the steps we've been able to take, and building off the growth of 2023, especially since we brought (curator Tyler Angora) on in June, we've just been taking more and more steps, and the goal is to keep building on that as we go forward.”

He broke down those accomplishments a little further: The museum has grown its visitorship “by a few more hundred people compared to where we were last year,” with two of the museum’s busiest months yet to go. 

“So we're going to be even further ahead by the end of the year. Our YouTube channel has grown exponentially, over 10,000 views in the past year, which is up a few thousand from the year before,” he said. “Our membership is up another 45 from where we ended last year. And again, we still have two months to go. So our goal of 300 is very much in reach. We're at 287 now. So again, growing in that respect, our outreach has grown significantly, not just the YouTube channel, but we've started recording our other programs, which has brought in even more views, and getting people into the museum by showing them something maybe they wouldn't expect, and they come to the museum to check out what else we have.” 

He has written columns for local news outlets, including The Batavian, and has worked with historians and several groups, including the Museum Association of New York, and local school groups, Richmond Memorial Library, Lancaster Historical Society, Attica Senior Citizens, Elba Grange, Alexander Happy Agers, Indian Falls Seniors, Batavia Lions and Rotary clubs and Office for the Aging’s RSVP program, he said.

“We’re getting more notice with that, and our outreach. Just in this past month I’ve done presentations in five counties of Western New York, so our name’s getting out there, and people are interested in what we have to say on a bunch of different topics. So we’re very happy about that,” he said. “On some of our other major achievements, we’ve brought in or been awarded $43,000 in grants this year, which is a significant jump from years in the past. And the money reimbursed to our grant writer, Sarah, has been a major factor in that we’ve gotten money to go towards our addition project, as well as some collections grants, some program grants, so it’s also been going to a lot of different areas to help us improve, and we’ve been continuing our connections with other institutions that we’ve done in the past, those have all increased significantly in terms of number of hours.”

Last year’s Wonderland of Trees exhibit was the biggest ever, he said, drawing more than 500 people and making more than $5,000 from admission. 

“So there’s a major fundraiser. We’re starting to decorate now for this year’s, which we are expecting to even be bigger and better than last year, so we’re really looking forward to that,” Duffy said. “Our guest speaker program has really jumped off. We’re now doing sometimes three or four guest speakers or similar programs in a month, not to mention adding some other programming.”

Monthly staff presentations to share a particular passion, robust gift shop sales, business sponsorships and steady progress on the West Wing entrance — in the design phase — are other things happening at the West Main Street museum, he said.  

Challenges in the last two years have included continued development of plans for the proposed wing addition to the western side of the museum adjacent to the parking lot, which includes fundraising and potential grant opportunities to cover that high cost; researching and learning new technology of new virtual programming; a reimagining of exhibit spaces, continued organization of collections and related storage areas; expansion of public programming and fundraising events and both growing and diversifying the audience base, he said.

When asked about the biggest challenge of the museum, Duffy first said it’s to continue all of his action steps, adding that the priority is “to get people in the museum and to get people to notice us.”

“And that's probably still our biggest challenge. We're trying to kind of get past people's past impressions of us. Still, I think we've made some significant steps, but people still kind of think of us as what we were sometimes 50 years ago. But I think people are starting to see a lot of change, a lot of new things coming through, and that's really making people more interested in what's going on on a more regular basis,” he said. “Because before it was, ‘Oh, I was there five years ago, I don't need to come anymore.’ And now I tell people, ‘if you haven't been here in six months, you've missed out on a lot.’ So it's just continuing to get that point across, and to get people interested and excited about what we're doing, because we're excited about what we're doing, and we're trying to diversify the programming, the exhibits, even the items in the gift shop, as best we can, to get people to take notice of us and say, ‘I haven't been there in a while. I need to check it out.’”

City Council made it official Monday for Ryan Duffy to establish his second office to be at City Hall.

Duffy, executive director at Holland Land Office Museum, will take the helm as city historian now that former historian Larry Barnes resigned the post at the end of 2023. 

Why does he want to take on this secondary set of responsibilities?
“The nice thing is that it's similar to my regular job. So it's not a huge transition to just do it over here, as well. So I look at it as just adding on to my duties, really,” Duffy said after council’s business meeting at City Hall. “I write columns all the time. But I also deal with genealogy requests and things that city and municipal historians deal with. So a lot of the duties I perform, is a seamless transition. It's just working with a new collection, really. 

What’s your favorite part about working with history?
“My favorite part, I went and studied history to study history. And the research aspect is always something I've enjoyed probably the most,” he said. “And I don't always get to do it all the time at the museum, at least in the same capacity. So it was a way to be able to do that but still dealing with something that I'm pretty passionate in, and know quite a bit about.”

Why is there a city historian?
The Arts and Cultural Affairs Law of New York State mandates that there be a city historian, and the position is appointed by City Council. Duffy’s term is for four years, effective immediately, according to the resolution approved during Monday’s business meeting.

Duffy was uncertain how many hours he’d actually be putting into the job, which is paid $5,000 annually. That wasn’t always the case, and for most of Barnes’ 16 years in the post, he was an unpaid volunteer. A push that began with former management and council led to the stipend in 2023. 

The city historian’s office is located on the second floor of City Hall next door to council chambers, where filing cabinets are filled with research materials. During his terms, Barnes authored four books about various city topics, and Duffy isn’t certain just yet what he might " deep-dive” into. He is open to requests and questions, he said.

“I know there'll be ways to get in contact, even if I'm not here. So I welcome everybody to get in touch with me if they need something. Once I get settled in, I'll do my best to start combing through things and getting the history of Batavia out there,” he said. 

The main number for City Hall is 585-345-6300.

You could say that 2024 is looking like a banner year for Ryan Duffy so far, first being in line for a Chamber of Commerce Special Recognition of the Year Award on behalf of Holland Land Office Museum, and now being asked to fill an important role for Batavia.

City Council gave its unofficial blessings to appoint Duffy as city historian during Monday’s conference session at City Hall after City Manager Rachael Tabelski introduced the idea.

“I’m excited to present the appointment of Ryan Duffy to the historian’s position. He has been the executive director of the Holland Land Office since May 2017. His position actually brought him to Batavia. Since then, he's been an integral part of history in Batavia and in Genesee County to the residents, and thousands of visitors who visit,” Tabelski said. “At the Holland Land Office Museum, he's completed many different research projects related to our local history. He's published articles, one of which was on the Richmond Mansion, published in Western New York Heritage magazine. And I think he'll make a wonderful city historian for us.”

The part-time position is for a four-year term that runs to 2027. Duffy will be responsible for compiling information and data, maintenance of records concerning the history of the city. He will assemble historical data of significance to the city of Batavia by consulting various sources; conduct research into genealogy, maintain family files; organize and evaluate research data as to its authenticity and significance; maintain in narrative form, with photographs, when available, a chronological record to the locality’s past and current history; handle correspondence and request for information concerning the city’s history. 

He may also act as advisor or consultant on research studies relating to the city.

What does it take to be a city historian? Good knowledge of practices and techniques used in historical research activities, good knowledge of sources of historical information and data; good knowledge of and interest in local history; ability to keep historical records and to prepare historical reports; ability to write in a clear, descriptive and interesting manner; ability to establish and maintain favorable contacts with individuals and groups; initiative and resourcefulness, all according to the city’s job description.

Duffy will fill the vacancy left by former historian Larry Barnes. He will be paid a yearly stipend of $5,000.

Genesee County legislators on Monday urged the Holland Land Office Museum executive director to explore ways to increase revenue – even suggesting Sunday hours – and trim expenses in light of possible funding cuts in 2021.

Speaking at a Human Services Committee meeting, Ryan Duffy (inset photo right) presented a review of HLOM operations over the past year, and was quick to state the obvious: 2020 has been “very difficult” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the West Main Street facility to close for three and a half months.

Still, he said there has been progress in some areas, notably by utilizing social media “quarantine” programs such as "Genesee County Jeopardy!" and history-themed activities related to food, movies and travel.

“Really, we’ve been trying to look at this pandemic as an opportunity,” he said, with an eye on maintaining and, in some cases, expanding its programming.

Upon reopening in early July, Duffy instituted an admissions fee, charging $5 for adults; $3 for seniors/students/veterans; $1 for children; and $10 for families of four. Museum members are admitted free of charge.

“We have seen a positive response in the two months," he said. "The fee structure is right in the ballpark."

Duffy mentioned other “positive” developments, including a video series about artifacts, installation of a new projector, screen and sound system in the East Wing for events and use by community groups, and restoration of the two cannons under the front canopy.

The cannons were restored by Seed Artillery of Altoona, Pa., and now are period accurate to the time of their forgings, pre-Civil War, Duffy reported.

“They came back and they look amazing … you won’t believe the difference,” he offered.

While efforts have been made to overcome a significant revenue loss (gift shop sales, major fundraiser and summer program cancellations, lack of group tours, etc.), things could get tougher next year if the county slashes its funding to outside agencies.

The county has committed to fully funding its 2020 commitment of $33,554, which represents about 40 percent of the HLOM’s budget, County Manager Matt Landers said.

“For 2021, outside agencies have been informed of potential cuts,” Landers said. “We will know more after our department heads submit their budgets by September 4^th for me to review.”

Along these lines, Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein asked Duffy what he could do to cut costs and increase funding.

Duffy said that some expenses were naturally eliminated due to being closed and that he could find across the board cuts in programming, exhibits and equipment, if necessary. He said staff is always looking for grants – noting they received one recently for $2,500 – and in May, the museum joined the Amazon Smile fundraising platform.

Stein then brought up that the Historic Le Roy House attracts 10,000 visitors annually, with the bulk of its visitorship on Saturdays and Sundays.

“So, I would offer that as a peer comparison,” she said. “Would you imagine that Sunday might be a good day for visitors from out of town?”

Currently, the HLOM is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Duffy said more than 1,000 people have visited the museum since September 2019.

Duffy, the only paid employee at the museum, responded by saying that’s “always a possibility” but the present schedule “is following the trends of the industry; most are closed on Sunday.”

Legislator Marianne Clattenburg spoke up in support of the museum, advising her colleagues that the HLOM received a Personal Payroll Protection loan from the federal government and conducted a fundraiser separate from its budget to restore the cannons.

As far as county funding is concerned, she said, “It seems like a small line item in our budget … but to them it is a large amount” and to reduce it would be “devastating.”

File photo of Ryan Duffy from Feb. 11, 2017.

Ryan Duffy decided in high school that he wanted to work in a history museum.

Now, he's running one.

Duffy is the new director of the Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia and yesterday the museum held a reception to welcome him to his new job.

He started Jan. 17 and said he's already fascinated by what he's finding in the museum.

"I go upstairs every day to work on some things and I find something new that I find I’m amazed that it’s here, that you would expect to be some place much bigger than here," he said.

One reason Duffy is going through the collection is he's trying to plan future exhibits, which he said may focus on local history, or he may explore cooperative efforts with other museums for exhibits with ties to Genesee County, but not specifically Genesee County. He's currently working on a possible World War I exhibit and he's found some items he was surprised might be part of the local collection, such as a war department document. He said he's also impressed with the range of military uniforms the museum owns, representing all branches of service spanning the history of the country.

To help get more people to visit the museum, he's exploring the idea of trivia nights and more family-oriented events.

Duffy, originally from Eden, received his BA in history from St. Bonaventure University. He received a master's dpegree in history from Bowling Green University and a Master's Certificate in Museum Studies from SUNY Buffalo State College.

"I’ve become more and more interested in local history as I’ve gone along, so I thought, ‘I’m still in Western New York -- it’s still my history in that regard,’ " Duffy said, explaining why he applied for the job when he heard HLOM was looking for a new director. "I still feel a connection to it and I get to do what I actually want to do.”