HAMBURG, N.Y. — Jason Steinagle is a history teacher at Hamburg Middle School. About five years ago he got the opportunity to help create and work at the Heritage and History Center. 

He now shares stories like that of the oldest artifact in the museum — a ticket to the Erie County Fair from 1867. Back then, it was called the Erie County Agricultural Fair and Cattle Show. He says he learned about the history of the fair from books. 

“And a lot of stories from Fairgoers actually reading the exhibits as well and just deciding which stories to share and which artifacts to highlight based on interest people coming in, they gravitate toward one. The exhibits they connect with. And it's truly remarkable. I'm offering stories that spark memories for them, and we just have a great conversation and it's a wonderful place to be," he said. 

Jolene Blood, Jason’s wife, joined him soon after he started to work here. She’s also a teacher with a background in English and the two have a love of American literature and history.

"So together we love sharing and hearing stories. Whether it was a story made just yesterday with a family, grandparents with their new grandchild, they come in and they share this room or stories deeply rooted. I love it when people visit me and they say on the wall, this was me, this was me years ago. And that's always a marvel and such a pleasure. But being an English teacher, I love the stories and I think the stories make the fabric and the foundation of the United States and our heritage and this is the heritage building," she said.

Jason and Jolene work with their children, Gabriel, Moira and Luke. Gabriela and Moira are training to be teachers, making their family at least four generations deep in teaching. Moira says watching her parents do the tours teaches them how to do just that without realizing it. 

"It like teaches us without realizing we're learning in a way. And then we get to do, you know, and then spin it for ourselves and bounce off each other with jokes and all good stuff," Moira said. 

"Engaging people is really nice to bounce off of that," Luke added.

"To have great role models and show how it's impacting the community both in the classroom and also in our local area. We always are making connections and we're seeing how really the impact can grow and especially from year to year when people are going to recognize us. We know that these people are sharing stories and encouraging other people to come back into the fair and see our history and again, sharing with their children," Gabriel Blood said.

To dive into the fair’s history, you can head to the Heritage and History Center which opens at 11 a.m.