Douglas Kohler is a local historian and author who has written extensively about early Western New York. His work has appeared frequently in Western New York Heritage Magazine. Doug has also written five books on the history of Clarence and edited the Hull Family Home and Farmstead bicentennial volume. For 35 years, he has taught history at Clarence Middle School. In 2009, he was appointed Erie County historian. He has a B.A. in History and master degrees in Education from Canisius College and American History from Pace University. He is currently working on his PhD at the University of Reading (UK). His thesis focuses on the portrayals of race and gender at world’s fairs and expositions
As county historian, Doug was heavily involved with the planning and execution of the War of 1812 Bicentennial. In 2015, he worked with the families of Flight 3407 to create a civic memorial to the events of February 12, 2009. The memorial is housed in the Clarence Town Library. Doug is currently working with the Buffalo History Museum on developing the content for the Erie Canal Bicentennial visitor’s experience that will open at Canalside in 2025. He also works with WNED on their program, “Compact History.” Doug is frequently out in the community as a presenter for Erie County's University Express program.