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The Holland Purchase Historical Society was founded in 1894 by Mary Richmond and other
community members. Its primary purpose was to raise funds to purchase and to restore the
Holland Land Office building, as its condition had deteriorated significantly and was facing the
prospect of demolition. The Holland Land Office was built in 1815 to be the business office for
the sale of the Western New York lands by the Holland Land Company. The building was
purchased in 1894 by the Society, dedicated as a museum on October 13, 1894, and operated as
such until 1941, when it shut down due to financial constraints. This is when the Holland Land
Office was gifted by the Society to the Batavia Board of Education. The Board of Education
accepted the building and it was thereafter leased to the Genesee Chapter of the American Red
Cross during World War II.
In 1948, the Building was gifted by the Batavia Board of Education to the County of Genesee
and in 1950 the Holland Land Office Museum was reopened and operated as a joint venture by
the County and the Holland Purchase Historical Society. That partnership exists to the present
date, with the County owning and maintaining the structure, and the Society owning and
maintaining the collection. From 1950 to 1991 the Holland Land Office Museum was completely
funded by Genesee County, including hiring and paying employees and managing the operations.
In 1991, the operation of the museum was passed to the Holland Purchase Society, and all staff
became employees of the Society in 1999.
In 1961, the Holland Land Office became a Registered National Historic Landmark for its role in
developing Western New York, and for “possessing exceptional value in commemorating and
illustrating the history of the United States.” The two entities also collaborated on the purchase
of additional real estate to the east and west of the building. The west wing was added in 1970.
In 1977, the east wing was built to house the County Department of History, which was located
there until 1998.
Today, the Holland Purchase Historical Society, a 501 (c) (3) organization, owns and maintains a
significant collection of artifacts that are centuries old, commemorating the history and
importance from all areas of Genesee County. The collection includes: prehistoric bones, Native
American items, locally connected military equipment, textiles, household goods and industrial
objects. The Society’s collection is on display in the Holland Land Office Museum, which has
periodic exhibit changes to highlight its vast collection.
