The Newstead Historical Society was established in 1958 and chartered by the Erie County Historical Federation and the Town of Newstead and Village of Akron, NY.
We are a volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) cultural non-profit organization and currently there are nearly 400 members based all over the world.
Our mailing address is
P O Box 222 Akron NY 14001
716-542-7022
Kevin Scherf - President
Adam Burg - Vice President
Patricia S Pearce - Treasurer
Edna Scherf - Recording Secretary
Linda Capan - Membership Secretary
TRUSTEES
Jannette Potera
Marcia Tordy
Carolyn Finger
Sharon Koszuta
Marlene Gehl
Kimberly Beyers
Kate Stapleton Parzych - Director/Curator,
Rich-Twinn Octagon House
rtoh@newsteadhistoricalsociety.org
Pat Rodrigues - Director/Curator,
Knight-Sutton Museum and
Research Center
ksm@newsteadhistoricalsociety.org
Jannette Potera - NHS Collections Manager
7pm at the Newstead Town Hall
5 Clarence Center Rd Akron NY 14001
Free and open to the public
April 9th - Greg Kinal discusses "Lexington and Concord", and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War.
May 14th - Joseph McGreevy shares the lives of local soldiers who fought in the war for independence in "Pioneer Patriots"
June 11th - Courtney Speckmann presents "History of the White House"
September 10th - Patrick Ryan speaks on the history of "McKinley, Roosevelt and the Pan Am"
October 8th - Terry Abrams, Paul Winnie, and Don Shonn discuss "Tonawanda Seneca: Challenges in the 20th century (This Land IV).
November 12th - James Pace and Brian Seibel are representing the "Union Volunteer Fife and Drum Corps" as a lecture and demonstration of field music.
145 Main Street Akron NY
"Highlights of the Octagon" semi-guided tours runs mid-April through October
1st and 3rd Sundays from 1pm - 3pm.
Donation $8 adults $5 youth 11 - 17 yrs
10 yrs and younger - free with adult
Private and group tours (approximately 75 minutes)
$12 per person for 1 - 5 visitors, $10 per person for groups of six visitors or more. Email us at rtoh@newsteadhistoricalsociety.org or call and leave a message at 716-542-4270
Please note: Being a historical home restored to its original floor plans, there are many narrow-step staircases throughout the house included in the tours. The Rich-Twinn Octagon House is not handicap accessible.
123 Main Street Akron NY
716-542-7022
ksm@newsteadhistoricalsociety.org
Our 2026 season runs mid-April through October with our permanent display, "Moments in Time", and this year's exhibit, "Landmarks and Legacies"
1st and 3rd Sundays 1pm - 3pm
Wednesdays from 10am - 1pm.
Free Admission - donations gratefully accepted.
Copyright © 2026 Newstead Historical Society - All Rights Reserved.
P. O. Box 222 Akron, NY 14001