East Aurora, NY

History

The village was founded in 1804, and incorporated in 1874.

Former President of the United States Millard Fillmore lived in East Aurora with his wife Abigail from 1826 to 1830. The house he built there while practicing law in the beginning of his political career is currently maintained by the Aurora Historical Society. The 1825 structure is restored to that period and features some original Fillmore furniture of the era, as well as items from Fillmore’s presidential years.

The founder of the Roycroft Movement, Elbert Hubbard, also lived there during the turn of the nineteenth century. Hubbard and his wife died onboard the RMS Lusitania in 1915. The Roycroft Inn was granted National Landmark Status in 1986 and re-opened in June 1995 through the support of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. ^[1] The Roycroft Inn was completely restored and is open to the public for dining and accommodations. The Elbert Hubbard Museum on Oakwood Avenue features an extensive collection of Roycroft books and Arts & Crafts pieces.

East Aurora is also the birthplace of and home to the Corporate Headquarters for Fisher-Price.^[2] Every August, the village and the Toy Town Museum^[3] (located on the Fisher-Price campus but an independent non profit organization) hold the Toyfest Festival,^[4] which includes the Toyfest parade featuring giant replicas of classic Fisher-Price toys. The three day event held mostly at Hamlin Park includes an amusement park, other circus like attractions and a Fisher-Price play area where young children can play with creative and thought provoking toys. The museum exhibits toys from the early 1900's to today and there are various tours available upon request.

The town was the home of the inaugural owner of the NHL Franchise Buffalo Sabres, Seymour H. Knox. The Knox Estates, now known as Knox Farm, is a 633 acre New York State park. It is located on the north-west edge of the village.

source: wikipedia.org