The Fenton History Center - Museum & Library is a local history museum and research library that concentrates on southern Chautauqua County NY and Jamestown NY. The museum & library are housed in the 1863 Italianate Villa style home of former NYS Governor Reuben E. Fenton (1865-1869). The house was also the last office of the Grand ARmy of the Republic (GAR), the military veterans agency that oversaw the Civil War soldiers. THe museum represents the Victorian era, settlement times and local history through period rooms (both restored and recreated) and many different exhibits. The Jamestown area has a rich history in politics, industry and transportation. The local history library is also a rich resource for genealogy research. The library holds over 7,000 volumes and the archive has over 700 manuscripts. The Fenton is currently finishing up a $150,000 federal grant to provide Internet access to the library's card catalog. Expansion of the facility is on the horizon, as well as some additional staff and programming. This will all be firmed up in the strategic planning process.

The Fenton Historical Society began in 1963 out of the threat of urban renewal and the placement of a 4 lane state road through the Fenton Mansion. The mansion was and is owned by the City of Jamestown. It was a war memorial and meeting place for the many veterans groups starting in 1919 when the city acquired the mansion. A concerned group of citizens rallied the city to save the building from destruction in 1963 and the Society became a NYS Chartered institution in 1964. It has since grown a collection of over 50,000 artifacts, 10,000 photographs and a 7,000 volume library with a 700+ manuscripts archive. The membership of 400, staff of 13 and volunteers provide educational services to over 12,000 students, 3,500 onsite visitors, and 12,000 website visitors.