“I want to make the Historian’s Office as open to the public as possible,”
Griffin Bates comes full of knowledge from the Finger Lakes Boating Museum
From Steuben County NY,
BATH — A local historian with extensive experience in Steuben County’s past was recently appointed as the county Historian.
Steuben Historian Griffin Bates brings a wide range of knowledge and skills to his new position.
The 2022 recipient of a BS in Historical Studies/Public History from SUNY Empire State College and an AA in Social Sciences in 2019 from CCC, Bates has been active in numerous volunteer positions in museums and related agencies for years.
With experience as a visitor’s guide, studies assistant and explainer at the Corning Museum of Glass and youth assistant at the Glenn Curtiss Museum, Bates was the Multimedia Specialist and worked as a front desk associate for the Finger Lakes Boating Museum.
He is a researcher for, and member of, the county Historical Society’s Board of Trustees and active in Steuben’s History Awareness group, which was first formed by then-Steuben Historian Emily Sims.
“Emily has helped the public connect with its County history in a new and interactive way,” Bates said.
His work with county Historical Society Director Kirk House has been an education, and a fun and enjoyable experience, Bates said.
“I have been enjoying working with him over the years on fun and insightful projects about Steuben County history,” he said. “One of my favorite projects to work on with Kirk is the ongoing video series on the Historical Society YouTube page.
An Eagle Scout who earned his badge on Steuben pioneer Col. Charles Williamson, Bates also is versatile in media and marketing skills, research and presentation.
“I want to make the Historian’s Office as open to the public as possible,” Bates said.
He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Sims.
The part-time County Historian’s Office hours have been scheduled to meet Bates’ goal of making Steuben’s “historical records and visitation hours available to more people.”
Office hours are:
* Monday 5-9pm * Wednesday and Thursday 7am – 3pm
** To make an appointment, call (607) 664-2199 or email historian@steubencountyny.gov and set up a time to explore history.
