On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), travel writer Barbara Redding explores the unexpected dual legacy of Jamestown, New York—a town shaped by both global justice and iconic comedy. Read her article below.
Comedy takes center stage in Jamestown, the small western New York city best known as Lucille Ball’s hometown. Visitors celebrate the legacy of laughter and entertainment at the Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Museum and the National Comedy Center.
This city of 28,000 residents in pastoral Chautauqua County also has a serious side that often goes unnoticed.
The new film Nuremberg is shining a spotlight on Jamestown’s Robert H. Jackson Center. Located in a beautifully restored mansion, the center commemorates the respected jurist who served as the Chief U.S. Prosecutor during the 1945-46 Nuremberg Trials in Germany.
Nuremberg Film Revives Interest in Jackson
Nuremberg, starring Michael Shannon as Jackson and Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring, is already generating Oscar buzz. Its November release coincides with the 80th anniversary of the first international war crimes tribunal in history.
Jackson grew up near Jamestown, practiced law in the region, and later rose to national prominence. U.S. President Harry S. Truman picked him to lead the prosecution of Göring and 21 other high-ranking Nazis. They were charged with crimes against humanity, including responsibility for the internment and systematic killing of millions of Jews and other targeted victims.
On a recent visit to Chautauqua County, I stopped at the Jackson Center to learn more about this remarkable man, who also served as U.S. Attorney General and as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Inside the Jackson Center
Exhibits trace Jackson’s personal story, the creation of the International Military Tribunal, and his pivotal role at Nuremberg. His opening statement at Nuremberg endures as a powerful affirmation of human rights and the rule of law.
A thought-provoking gallery in the center displays 42 lithographs by artist Sid Chafetz. Titled Perpetrators, the art depicts the Nazi officials who carried out Hitler’s atrocities. Göring, the highest-ranking Nazi defendant, is among them. (He committed suicide after his conviction.)
Although I’d read about the Nuremberg Trials, I knew little about Jackson before my visit. That’s common, Center President Kristan McMahon told me. While most lawyers and international policy experts recognize Jackson helped shape modern international law, the general public does not.
Why Jackson’s Legacy Still Matters
McMahon believes the movie is a “great jumping off point to learn about Jackson” and the enduring importance of justice and the rule of law. Center visitor numbers and website visits have increased since the movie’s 2025 release, coinciding with the center’s 25th anniversary.
Nuremberg also resonates in our current polarized political climate. The film explores how propaganda, nationalism, and blind allegiance can weaken democratic institutions. Those issues feel unsettling familiar.
Although Nuremberg director James Vanderbilt has downplayed parallels to current events, one movie scene stands out: Göring tells U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, played by Rami Malek, that Hitler “made us feel German again.” Similar rhetoric is reappearing in populist movements around the globe.
Keeping Nuremberg Lessons Alive
The film’s moral questions echo the center’s educational mission. “Our work is to keep the lessons of Nuremberg alive, so that what happened then never happens again,” said McMahon. As part of the tribunal’s 80th anniversary, the center is hosting events in the U.S. and partnering with the Nuremberg museum in Germany.
Based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El‑Hai, the film delves into Kelley’s psychological study of Nazi leaders and his struggle to understand the nature of evil. He ultimately concluded that the perpetrators were not monsters, but ordinary people capable of monstrous acts. That point feels painfully relevant amid modern conflicts and genocides.
The atmosphere at the Jackson Center feels more hopeful than the film’s somber conclusion. After Nuremberg, Jackson resumed his seat on the U.S. Supreme Court and participated in historic decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. His vote helped strike down “separate but equal” segregation laws, advancing the civil rights movement and his lifelong commitment to justice.
Eight decades after the Nuremberg trials, Justice Jackson’s words still resonate in international courts, classrooms, and democratic institutions worldwide.
Exploring Jamestown’s Comedy Attractions
Jamestown may seem like an unlikely capital of comedy, but Lucille Ball made sure her hometown would preserve her trailblazing legacy. The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Museum recounts her childhood in Jamestown and highlights her groundbreaking television career. Replica sets, her Emmy awards, costumes, and I Love Lucy memorabilia make the museum a must-visit.
Ball’s vision also helped establish the National Comedy Center, which opened in 2018. The world-class museum celebrates the history and art of comedy with interactive exhibits.
Outdoor Recreation
Chautauqua County is rich in green spaces, lakes, and scenic parks. The region offers access to Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie, where you can enjoy a variety of water sports, boating, and lakeside activities such as hiking and relaxation.
At the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, nature trails and indoor galleries display the artwork of the renowned naturalist and creator of the first modern bird-watching field guide in 1934.
Wine, Craft Brews, and Spirits
Follow the county’s Grape & Grain Trail to discover award-winning wineries, breweries, and distilleries. The region’s Lake Erie Wine Country features 23 wineries, including Johnson Estate Winery, where I enjoyed a tour and tasting. Chautauqua County is also the world’s largest grower of Concord grapes. Don’t miss a stop at the Grape Discovery Center, whose exhibits recount local wine history.
For craft brews and cocktails, visit Southern Tier Brewing’s The Empty Pint to sample assorted brews. Options abound at Five & 20 Spirits & Beers/Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, New York’s first combined brewery-winery-distillery.
Where to Stay
Downtown Jamestown hotels provide easy access to comedy attractions and recreational options. For lakeside views, consider the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in nearby Celoron.
The historic Athenaeum Hotel, located on the grounds of the prestigious Chautauqua Institution, is worth a visit even if you don’t stay in the Victorian-style hotel. Founded in 1874, the nonprofit educational community draws thousands of visitors each summer for lectures, cultural events, and arts programs.
Where to Dine
Local gastropubs and brasseries offer cozy spots to unwind after a day of exploring. Pair your meal with a regional wine or craft beer from the Chautauqua area. Top dining options, featuring local ingredients and seasonal menus, include the Parkview Café in Westfield, the Landmark Restaurant in Jamestown, and Bemis Point Tap House in Bemus Point.
Plan Your Visit
For more information, contact the https://www.tourchautauqua.com/
Barbara Redding is a freelance travel writer based in Austin, Texas. A retired journalist, she loves to explore new destinations and revisit familiar places. She’s written about finding the largest statue of Jesus in Poland, a Hindu wedding in India, snorkeling in Cuba’s Bay of Pigs, and tiptoeing through tulips in Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. An award-winning writer, Barbara’s travel stories appear in Travel Weekly, TravelWeekly.com, Food Wine Travel Magazine, Live in Italy Magazine, Rovology, and Travel By Vacation Rental. Read her articles on www.BarbaraRedding.com and social media sites Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
