~What's New~

Interesting Items Recently Donated, Displayed, or Discovered in Our Holdings

2011

"Tobacco in Schuyler County" Permanent Exhibit (April 2011)

Did you know that Schuyler used to grow quite a bit of tobacco on the local farms?  We currently have an exhibit on the tobacco growers and cigar manufacturers of Schuyler.

Cartoonist Jim Whiting Rotating Front Exhibit Case (April - July 2011)

Watkins Glen native Jim Whiting is a nationally known cartoonist and worked as an on air radio personality in Watkins Glen for many years.  He is now retired and living in California but we have quite a bit of his artwork on display for all to enjoy.

Needlework Arts Exhibit by Laura Smith Front Exhibit Case (July - August 2011)

Come see Laura Smith's award winning pieces, including "Morning Waterfall," which was inspired by a tour and photo of the Watkins Gorge.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension in Schuyler County (September - October 2011)

Schuyler County at War (November 2011)

2010

D.W. Washburn Post #515 G.A.R. (Watkins Glen) Membership Book

This past October we received a wonderful donation from Frank Luppino of Glenview, Illinois.  It is a 10” x 16” leather-bound book of the members of the D.W Washburn Post #515, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Watkins Glen, New York. 

“A Collection of Personal Hand-Written Sketches by the Members of the D.W. Washburn Post #515 G.A.R. Department of New York” (1892) is the actual title and the book is an absolutely wonderful resource.  Each page lists an individual member’s name, date of birth, birthplace, date enlisted and discharged, and in many cases, a short record of their wartime experiences.  For those doing research on a Civil War ancestor, or on veterans from Schuyler County, this book is a great place to look.

We have copied out the names of all the GAR members from the book and have put it in an Excel spreadsheet.  Click HERE to take a look in PDF format.

New "Schuyler County in the Civil War" Permanent Exhibit Case (April 2010)

During our winter closing we completed an exhibit case featuring items from local Schuyler soldiers who served the Union during the Civil War.  Little Schuyler did more than its fair share in raising and equipping recruits for the Union cause.  There are such items as a bayonet, cartridge box, canister shot, photos, GAR items, and much more.  The highlight is a handmade wooden spoon and small knife used by a local soldier while a prisoner of war in North Carolina!  Come by the museum to see this interesting exhibit.

Glen Springs Hotel Rotating Exhibit Case (April 2010)

We recently came into possession of many items from the former Glen Springs Hotel in Watkins Glen.  These were items owned by the owner and proprietor William E. Leffingwell and his son William M. Leffingwell.  Both men were prominent businessmen, politicians, masons, and automobile enthusiasts.  The Glen Springs Hotel was in operation from 1890 to 1942 and was an upscale hotel and health resort.  The mineral springs on premises were touted for their health benefits and many prominent people came from all around the world to take in the springs.

Flood of 1935 Rotating Front Exhibit Case (July 2010)

We currently have photos from the devastating Flood of 1935 in our front case.  The July 1935 flood ravaged Schuyler County and much of the Finger Lakes region.