(WNY News Now) – A tip from a concerned citizen led to the recovery of antique mooring buoys stolen in 2016 from the Lawson Center Boat Museum in Bemus Point.
BEMUS POINT, NY — The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office has recovered historic mooring buoys stolen nearly a decade ago from the outdoor display at the Lawson Center Boat Museum, thanks to a citizen tip.
The large antique metal buoys, believed to have been cut up and sold as scrap metal, were instead discovered in Erie County, where they were being used as lawn ornaments. Remarkably, the artifacts were found in good condition.
David Wesp, former president of the Lawson Center, accompanied the Sheriff’s Navigation Division to retrieve the buoys. Their return marks the end of a nine-year mystery surrounding the museum’s missing property.
Wesp was ecstatic about their return and stated “we (the Lawson Center) believe in the good moralities of people and always hoped someone would someday return them to us” and also said “they are an important part of the history of our lake.”
Mooring buoys are traditionally metal spheres used to anchor boats without the need for onboard anchors. While modern versions are often made of plastic or Styrofoam, the recovered buoys hold historical significance to Chautauqua Lake and the boating community.
The individual who possessed the items was reportedly unaware of their stolen status, and no criminal charges will be filed.
The buoys have been returned to the Lawson Center’s waterfront display, where they will be refinished and reinstated as part of the museum’s seasonal exhibit. The museum celebrates the rich boating heritage of Chautauqua Lake with interactive displays and educational programming.
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