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The Centennial Project
By Rachel Dworkin, ArchivistIn 1964, as part of Elmira’s 100th anniversary, the city unveiled the Centennial Project meant to transform the Eastside. The plan called for the clearing of approximately...
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The Extraordinary Life of Dr. Regina Flood Keyes Roberts
by Erin Doane, CuratorRegina Flood Keyes was born in Elmira on April 18, 1870. At that time, few people would have guessed that her life would include time as a field surgeon in war-torn Europe and as...
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Zonta Club of Elmira at 100 Years
Zonta International is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2019. The Zonta Club of Elmira was one of the organization’s first clubs established in 1919. For the last hundred years, the club has served...
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Full Steam Ahead!
By Susan Zehnder, Education DirectorIt’s not about trains, planes or automobiles but all about increasing access and offering opportunities. This Wednesday, November 20th, Community Arts of Elmira...
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Thanksgiving Dinner: 1900-1950
by Erin Doane, CuratorBy now, just three days before Thanksgiving, most people have already planned out their feast. But, if you are among those who are still looking for menu ideas, why not look back...
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New Student Exhibit: The African American Experience in Chemung County
by Mr. John Liquori, 5th Grade Teacher, Horseheads Intermediate SchoolThis is our country, as much as it is the country of any other race.... We may be the descendants of Africans, but we are citizens...
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Give Me Money: The Subtle Art of Grant Writing
By Rachel Dworkin, ArchivistI recently applied for a grant. Discussing it on the phone with my mom, it occurred to me that most people have no idea how grants work. Grants are the bread and butter of...
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More to the Story
by Susan Zehnder, Education DirectorWe have a photograph in our Bank Gallery showing two young Elmira men. George Brooks is seated on the left, and his younger brother Edward is on the right. At the...
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West Hill Community Cabin
by Andrea Renshaw, Volunteer Anyone driving up West Hill might notice the empty space next to the fire department where the West Hill Community Cabin once stood. The cabin was torn down recently in a...
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A Tale of Two Motorcycle Clubs
by Erin Doane, Curator“There is no sport that is more thrilling than motorcycling. The powerful little vehicles will give a man all the excitement he is able to meet.” – Elmira Star-Gazette, December...
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The Black Oral History Digitization Project: Part I
By Rachel Dworkin, archivistRemember when I wrote about how I’d applied for a digitization grant from the South Central Regional Library Council? Well, the excited dolphin noises you might have heard...
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The Elmira Garden Club
By Susan Zehnder, Education DirectorEvery season planters in front of our museum are creatively arranged by members of the Elmira Garden Club. We always appreciate their work.While our museum has been...
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Lost in the Mail
by Erin Doane, CuratorOn March 3, 1951, a heavy snowstorm was raging as Erie Railroad Train #7 from New York City sped through Wellsburg at 8:15 in the morning. In those days, mail was delivered by...
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The Kings of Drag
By Rachel Dworkin, archivistOn the night of November 21, 2004, a group of talented drag kings and queens strutted their stuff at the annual Mr. & Miss Angles Pageant at Angles Ultimate Dance Club...
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Old news: The Pledge of Allegiance
by Susan Zehnder, Education DirectorFlag with 45 stars from 1896Once again, controversy over saying or not saying the pledge of allegiance is in the local news . For most of us, it’s a ritual we...
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Arnold Hager and His Famous Band
by Erin Doane, CuratorIn June 1906, Hager’s Band of Elmira was the official band of the State of New York at the gigantic Old Home Week Celebration in Auburn. In just four years under the leadership of...
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The Glory Regiment
By Rachel Dworkin, archivistWhat do Denzel Washington, Mathew Broderick, and Elmira have in common? The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry! Formed in February 1863, the regiment was the second...
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Lotions and Potions
By Susan Zehnder, Education DirectorDid you know a fragrant pink lotion and Elmira's Civil War Prison Camp are forever linked?Both are part of the story of Clayton Wood Holmes, a druggist from Elmira....
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Elmira’s Whistling Prima Donna: Alice Shaw
by Erin Doane, CuratorIn 1885, Alice Shaw was living with her father in Elmira. Her husband had gone off to make a living for himself and didn’t return, leaving her with four young daughters to support...
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Hopkins Street School Fire
By Rachel Dworkin, archivistOn the morning of Sunday, April 5, 1959, George and Ellen Henley of 741 Hopkins Street in Southport woke up early to do laundry. Glancing next door, he noticed a red glow...
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