Talk by ‘Ripperologist’ among February events at Holland Land Office Museum

A Buffalo-area author and “Ripperologist” will present the story of a Rochester doctor perhaps best known for being suspected as Jack the Ripper, the unidentified serial killer active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888, at the Holland Land Office Museum, 131 W. Main St.

Michael Hawley, who has studied the Jack the Ripper cases and published research articles on the case, will talk about Rochester resident Dr. Francis Tumbelty at 7 p.m. Feb. 22. Admission is $3 per person ($2 for Museum members).

Hawley, who teaches secondary earth science and chemistry at Tonawanda City High School, has a master’s degree in invertebrate paleontology and secondary science education from the State University at Buffalo, and a bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics from Michigan State University. He has published 10 research articles in “Ripperologist,” “Whitechapel Society Journal,” and “Casebook Examiner.” He is the author of “The Ripper’s Haunts” (2016) “Curse of the Bayou Beast” (2015), “Jack’s Lantern” (2014), “The Ripper’s Hellbroth” (2013), and “Searching for Truth with a Broken Flashlight” (2010). He has been involved in genealogical research since 1992, which ultimately led to his interest in Ripperology research.

Other February events at the Holland Land Office Museum include:

n Feb. 13: It’s History Trivia Night. February’s theme is “Super Bowl” to honor the recently played Super Bowl LIV, or 54. Participants are encouraged to brush up on football and Super Bowl knowledge. Trivia starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $3 per person or $2 per Museum member.

n Feb. 27: Don Bouchard will be the Java with Joe “E” presenter at the museum. Bouchard will bring with him a couple classical instruments from the 19th century. He will talk about the instruments and give demonstrations on them. Admission is free. Coffee, tea, hot cocoa, water and pastries will be available. The event will start at 9 a.m.

â–  Feb. 28: The guest speaker series continues with John Fagant, a docent from Explore buffalo, talking about “Abolitionism in Buffalo, 1843.” The presentation will discuss how in August 1843, Buffalo became the center of the national abolitionist movement. Individuals such as Frederick Douglass, Henry Highland Garnet, Abby Kelly and Charles Lenox Remond spoke out about the abolition of the slave. The talk will start at 7 p.m. Cost is $3 per person or $2 for Museum members.