RED HOUSE, NY (WKBW-TV} — Bob Schmid and Allegany State Park go way back. Bob says "this is truly God's country" adding "I have been coming down here since 1959."
As the official park historian, Bob heads up the Allegany State Park Historical Society monthly meetings. He says "we do talks, tours, presentations."
It is New York's largest state park and the third largest in the United States. Bob may not know every square inch of the 64,800 acres, but he knows more than most.
Bob gave us a tour of the Allegany State Park Museum. The building once served as the Larkin Economy Store, and eventually a gift shop and then lay vacant for a decade. In 1995 Bob convinced the park officials to turn it into a museum.
He says that Allegany was once a world famous down hill skiing center and that many famous folks have been fans of the park including Teddy Roosevelt and Buffalo Bob Smith.
The park will celebrate it's 100th Anniversary in 2021. The Allegany State Park Historical Society has monthly meetings and you can find more information at their Facebook page.
