[This is the third in a series of three columns based on a recent trip to Western New York.]

JAMESTOWN, NY – While in Jamestown, we had the opportunity to visit the National Comedy Center (NCC). Gary Hahn the V.P. of Marketing and Communications for the NCC was a guest on “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” a few weeks earlier, but this was our first time to visit the center.

The NCC is a comedy fans dream. If you’ve ever enjoyed watching a sitcom or a stand-up comic, or just a funny movie, you would certainly enjoy visiting this interactive museum.

When you first enter the building, you create your personal comedy profile by selecting the programs and comedians you like from several different categories on a screen. This information transfers to your digital wristband and throughout your visit you are treated to content related to your selections.

The museum features exhibits containing the personal effects of many individuals as well as tributes to several television programs. Some of those who are featured include the Smothers Brothers, Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Carl Reiner, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Joan Rivers, and many others.

In the Schlatter Theater, you can sit and watch clips of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” The presentation is hosted by an unbelievably real-looking hologram of Jimmy Fallon. We found this to be very entertaining and a nice spot to rest our feet.

Besides the cool memorabilia or museum pieces, the interactive and educational aspect of the NCC is amazing. We only had a few hours to spend there, but I seriously could have spent several days going through all the interactive programs and reading all the information that is presented.

The NCC is the only congressionally designated national archive for the art of comedy, and with good reason. It is extremely comprehensive and although it contains a wealth of comedy history, there is space for expansion, and more items will be added in time. I can honestly say, making a trip to Jamestown just to visit the National Comedy Center and of course also the Lucy – Desi Museum is well worth the trip.

Another historical place we visited while in town was the Robert H. Jackson Center. Jackson, a Jamestown native, became Solicitor General, Attorney General, and Supreme Court Justice, playing a key role in landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education. As Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, he introduced pivotal terms like “crimes against humanity.”

The Jackson Center is housed in the Alonzo Kent Mansion, one of the oldest and most elaborate mansions in Jamestown. Visiting the center just to see the interior of the mansion itself is a walk back in time and a history lesson. I’m glad we had the opportunity to visit such an important piece of history and to learn more about Chief Justice Robert H. Jackson

On our drive from Jamestown back to Tulsa, we took the time to stop in Mentor, Ohio, to visit James Garfield National Historic Site. This property contains what was the farm, home and personal library of the 20th President of the United States.

I didn’t know a whole lot about President Garfield before visiting this historic site, but as I learned, there’s good reason. He only served for about six months. Garfield took office in March 1881, was shot in the back by Charles Guiteau, who was described as a political fanatic, at a train station on July 2, and died on September 19 of that year.

The tour was very educational and seeing the home the way it was when Garfield lived there was very surreal. My wife and I are glad we took the time to get off the interstate and visit this historic site.

I enjoy traveling, but I especially enjoy visiting museums and historic sites when I travel. It makes the trip even more special and memorable.

TULSA BEACON RADIO

Tune in to “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” radio show every week, featuring interviews with local and national guests, talking about everything from politics to family issues. This week, my guests will include David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic, talking about mental health issues, and Janice Gibson, director of First Tee Tulsa. The show airs on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST on 970am KCFO.