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Nothing But Net
by Rachel Dworkin, ArchivistBasketball was invented on a rainy December day in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, director of physical education at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts....
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Which Baby is Best?: Baby Contests in Chemung County
By Kelli Huggins, Education CoordinatorI admittedly, and ashamedly so, have spent some time watching TV shows like “Toddlers and Tiaras” in utter horror. I don’t get the point of putting makeup on...
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The Exploding Vault
by Erin Doane, curatorVisitors often ask us about the big, black metal door in the museum’s bank gallery. A lot of children think it must be a jail cell because there are bars behind the door. We tell...
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Our Gang
by Rachel Dworkin, archivistOne of the latest additions to our collection in 2016 is the book Our Gang: A Racial History of the Little Rascals by Julia Lee. In it, Lee places the Our Gang series in...
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Soap Sculpture in Elmira: How You Can Be a Part of Its History!
By Kelli Huggins, Education CoordinatorThe Chemung County Historical Society is hosting a soap carving contest to celebrate our new exhibit, Clean. It’s free and open to all ages and you can find out...
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Life Line of the Fleet: USS Chemung
by Erin Doane, curatorThe museum has recently received a couple objects related to the USS Chemung. Many people are familiar with the Navy tanker that served through World War II, the Korean War, and...
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The Last Trolley
by Rachel Dworkin, archivistIn the spring of 1932, Chemung County’s trolleys were doomed. On April 27, the Elmira Water, Light & Railroad Company which ran the system became the Elmira Light, Heat...
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That Time Grover Cleveland Was Assaulted By An Elmiran
by Kelli Huggins, Education CoordinatorWhen I wrote the blog post about a mob assaulting Governor Theodore Roosevelt on the streets of Elmira, I figured that it was a singular incident. I was wrong....
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Baby It's Cold Outside
by Erin Doane, curatorChild in fur-lined coat and hat, 1880sFrom pretty much the beginning of human existence, we have been wearing fur to stay warm. The museum has a fairly large collection of items...
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This Train is Bound for Glory
by Rachel Dworkin, archivistOn August 1, 1851, R.W. Thompson, a black barber from Owego, New York, purchased a first class ticket to travel to Seneca Lake on the New York and Erie Railroad along with...
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Rena Rockwell’s Fight For Equal Pay
By Kelli Huggins, Education Coordinator“I am unable to understand why a woman performing exactly the same duties as a man should receive less compensation for her services,” wrote New York Governor...
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Our Lady of the Flowers: Susan L. Crane
by Erin Doane, curatorSusan Langdon Crane was an activist, a humanitarian, a reformer, a businesswoman and dairy farmer, a gardener, and a devoted member of Park Church. She was also Olivia “Livy”...
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Falling Women: Elmira’s Lady Parachutists
By Rachel Dworkin, Archivist On August 19, 1920, 18-year-old Ruth Blackman of Elmira jumped from the wings of an airplane at an altitude of 3,500 feet. Performing before a crowd of 43,000 nervous...
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Doing History
by Bruce Whitmarsh, DirectorThroughout March the Chemung County Historical Society has been highlighting the interesting history of some amazing local women as part of our celebration of Women’s...
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Louie Dawes and the Bigamous Dane
by Kelli Huggins, Education CoordinatorIn early 1892, Louise, or Louie, Dawes of Elmira married John Madsen who was originally from Denmark or Sweden. Dawes was about 40 years old and she had never...
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An Ode to MP (69) 289
by intern Jonah Fisch-GertzGood morning faithful readers of this wonderful blog. My name is Jonah Fish-Gertz, and I am one of the slaves interns here at the Chemung County Historical Society. I have...
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Farrington Stoneware
by Erin Doane, curatorStoneware was widely popular in the United States in the 19th century. The pottery was fired at extremely high heat, making it very durable and suitable for daily use. Many...
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The Great White Fleet
The Great White Fleetby Rachel Dworkin, archivistOn December 16, 1907, the Great White Fleet, a United States Naval battle group consisting of 18 ships manned by 14,000 sailors, set sail from Hampton...
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Eel Fishing in the Chemung
By Kelli Huggins, Education CoordinatorI’ve been thinking a lot about eels lately. Weird, I know, but let me explain: I’m researching river industry for our summer exhibit about the Chemung River and...
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Going for the Brass Ring: The Eldridge Park Carousel
by Erin Doane, curatorIn just a few weeks Eldridge Park will be open for the season and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the restored carousel there. It was opened to the public on May 27, 2006...
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