Melissa Dunlap
Executive Director

Woman’s history and achievements have been two of the subjects that professionally interest Melissa. Although her favorite interest is still Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. At an early age she was fascinated with her great-grandfather’s traveling trunks from that show and others.

Melissa has been with the Niagara County Historical Society for 31 years. During her tenure she has updated and expanded the 215 Niagara Street campus, built the Erie Canal Discovery Center, the Charles Rand Penney Gallery and updated the 1824 National Register Col Bond House.

Melissa has served on both Niagara County and Lockport committees, is president of the Niagara County 4H Sponsors Foundation, belongs to many professional organizations and has been the recipient of various awards. She has authored many articles for newspapers and publications including WNY Heritage Magazine and speaks in the community.

Ann Marie Linnabery
Asst. Dir/Educator

Ann Marie Linnabery has been the Assistant Director and Education Coordinator at the Niagara History Center since 2004. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated with the past. I loved looking at old family photos, asking questions about my ancestors and playing “archeologist” round my neighborhood.” She has an M.A. in American History and has worked in several museums over the past 30+ years. She shares her love of local history by creating educational experiences for children, bringing programs into the community and writing a weekly newspaper about Niagara County’s past as well as contributing to other publications.

Terry Abrams
Curator

Terry C. Abrams has been the curator/collections manager for NCHS since 2018. He began his museum career as an intern at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and has worked for the Genesee County History Department, the Rochester Museum & Science Center and the WNY Association of Historical Agencies. A resident of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, he is also the co-chair of the Conference on Iroquois Research, and a member of the Field Services Alliance and the American Association for State and Local History. His primary areas of interest include Native American history and historic photography.

Ray Wigle
ECDC Director