If you want an entire new appreciation (or re-appreciation) of Clarence, NY, do yourself a favor and visit the Clarence Historical Society, located at 10465 Main Street. Inside the museum is a wonderful collection of historical items that give a glimpse of what life was like in Clarence many years ago.

The museum is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Clarence. In many of the rooms, the building’s stone walls are left uncovered. There are always volunteers on hand to assist with questions or give tours. The museum mostly features items from daily life over a century ago. From antique household objects to education artifacts, it’s striking to see firsthand how life was before the modern age. The museum is organized in sections; education, religious, toys, political, house hold items, military and much more.

Probably the notable display is the Wilson Greatbatch Exhibit. The museum feature’s Mr. Greatbatch’s original small red barn set up as it was as he worked and perfected the cardiac pacemaker in the early 1960’s.  The display includes the original work bench, a small pot belly stove that kept his workshop warm, along with his doctor’s bag that he would take with him into the operating room. The museum houses instruments of his such as the calorimeter and his early to modern cardiac pacemakers. Again, see yesterday’s technology and how they got things done, was a real eye-opener.

The Clarence Historical Society is open two days a week (Sundays and Wednesdays), but it’s best to consult their website for proper hours/days. There is no admission charge, but donations are gladly accepted.