Chemung County Historical Society facts for kids
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| Established | 1923 |
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| Location | 415 East Water Street Elmira, New York |
| Accreditation | American Alliance of Museums |
The Chemung County Historical Society is a cool place in Elmira, New York. It's located in the old Chemung Canal Bank Building. This society works hard to collect, protect, and share the history of the Chemung River Valley area.
It was started in 1923 and officially recognized by New York State in 1947. The society is approved by the American Alliance of Museums, which means it meets high standards. Today, it runs two important places: the Chemung Valley History Museum and the Booth Library. Both are non-profit groups that help people learn.
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How the Chemung County Historical Society Started
In November 1923, a group of people decided to create a historical association in Elmira. Dr. Arthur W. Booth, who led a local group called the Sons of the American Revolution, suggested it. He wanted to save historical papers and items from the city for future generations.
At this first meeting, Dr. Booth shared ideas for how the new society would work. Other people who helped organize it were Harry Hoffman, Chester Howell, Jabin Secor, Harrison Chapman, Joseph H. Pierce, H. H. Bickford, and Edward B. Billings. Volunteers then started gathering small collections of old documents and artifacts.
In 1947, New York State officially approved the society. This helped it grow and become more organized.
Growing and Moving to a New Home
By 1977, the society realized it needed more space. They wanted to better serve visitors, care for their collections, and manage their work. They chose the old Chemung Canal Bank building at 415 East Water Street. This building was perfect because it was big and had its own history.
It took 17 years of planning and a special grant to get the building ready. Renovations for the museum and offices were finished in 1993. During this time, the society earned its first approval from the American Alliance of Museums in 1986. They were approved again in 1999. Today, the society has five staff members and many members from all over the United States and Canada.
Where to Find the Chemung County Historical Society
The Chemung County Historical Society is located at 415 East Water Street in Elmira, New York. It's inside the historic Chemung Canal Bank Building. This building is home to two main parts of the society:
- The Chemung Valley History Museum, which is on the first floor.
- The Booth Library and archives, which are on the second floor.
The Historic Bank Building Itself
From 1834 to 1920, the building was the main office for the Chemung Canal Bank. After that, it was used for different offices, like a law firm. The building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place recognized for its history.
The building originally had two and a half floors. A third floor was added in 1868. It's made of brick with unique stepped gables. This was special because most buildings in Elmira at that time were made of wood. The bank building had a grand style with a stone entrance and fancy iron railings. In 1903, it was updated when the Chemung Canal Bank joined with another company. In 1920, the bank moved to a new spot, and the Arnot Realty Company bought the building.
What Can You See? Collections and Exhibits
The Chemung County Historical Society has a huge collection of historical items. These include documents, photos, books, maps, and artifacts. An artifact is an object made by a human, like old tools or clothing. The society has over 18,000 three-dimensional artifacts, including a large collection of old clothes and fabrics.
Exploring the Chemung Valley History Museum
The Chemung Valley History Museum usually has more than 200 items on display. This is less than 2% of their total collection! Some popular items you might see include things from the life of famous writer Mark Twain. There's also a mammoth tusk and many items from the American Civil War.
The museum has four main areas:
- The Bank Gallery
- The Brick Barn Gallery
- The Howell Gallery
- The Frances Brayton Education Room
The Bank Gallery has a long-term exhibit that was updated in 2014. It gives you a great overview of Chemung County's history. It also has a special section about Mark Twain's time in Elmira. The Barn and Howell Galleries are where the museum shows its changing exhibits. These exhibits are updated several times a year, so there's always something new to see!
Discovering the Booth Library
The Booth Library is like a treasure chest of information. It holds over a million items! This includes:
- 2,500 books
- 14,000 photographs
- 30,000 manuscripts (handwritten documents)
- 11,000 maps and architectural drawings
These collections cover history from the late 1700s to today. You can find personal papers from people who lived in the Chemung Valley. There are also resources about Mark Twain's life in Elmira. The library has documents about the American Civil War and the Abolitionist Movement. You can also learn about the Underground Railroad in the Chemung Valley. Plus, there are many more resources about everyday life in Chemung County.
Awards and Achievements
The Chemung County Historical Society has received many grants and awards for its great work.
Grants and Support
They have had a 14-year grant from the state arts council. This grant helps them create programs for schools in rural areas. They also have a 20-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This helps with their general operating costs. They even received a special grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2005, they got a Save Our History grant from The History Channel.
Recognized for Excellence
The society has won several awards for its exhibits and programs. The American Association for State and Local History has given them an Award of Merit and Certificate of Commendation. These were for exhibits like:
- A Heritage Uncovered: the Black Experience in Upstate New York
- Outsiders All: Nineteenth Century Prisons, Mental Hospitals and Asylums
- The High Line: A City Divided, A City United
The Historical Society also received an Award of Merit from the Upstate History Alliance in 2003 for the Chemung Historical Journal. In 2010, they won another award for the exhibit Never Done: Women and Work in Chemung County, 1880-1920.
A national Award of Merit was given to the society for their video, A Heritage Uncovered. This video was even shown on PBS Television Network. The Chemung Valley History Museum is approved by the American Alliance of Museums. In 1999–2000, it was chosen as one of only six museums in the Mid-Atlantic region to join their National Interpretation Project.
