Chemung County Historical Society
A nonprofit historical organization in Elmira, New York, that preserves and interprets the history of the Chemung River Valley through a museum, library, archives, exhibitions, and educational programs.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The Chemung County Historical Society is a nonprofit historical organization based in Elmira, New York. Its mission centers on collecting, preserving, researching, and presenting the history of Chemung County and the wider Chemung River Valley. The organization serves the public through two principal repositories housed in the historic Chemung Canal Bank Building: the Chemung Valley History Museum on the first floor and the Booth Library and archival repository on the second. The society originated in November 1923 after Dr. Arthur W. Booth, president of a local Sons of the American Revolution chapter, proposed creating an organization to safeguard historical documents and objects located in Elmira. A group that included Harry Hoffman, Chester Howell, Jabin Secor, Harrison Chapman, Joseph H. Pierce, H. H. Bickford, and Edward B. Billings helped establish the association. In its early years, volunteers assembled modest collections of artifacts and archival material. The organization received a New York State charter in 1947, giving it a more formal institutional basis. A major institutional transition followed a 1977 reorganization of the board's bylaws. The society concluded that its existing facilities were inadequate for its growing educational, curatorial, and administrative responsibilities and selected the former Chemung Canal Bank Building at 415 East Water Street as its future home. The building has substantial local historical significance. It served as the headquarters of the Chemung Canal Bank from 1834 until 1920 and later accommodated offices, including the Sayles-Evans law office. It is a brick Greek Revival structure with Federal-style elements, stepped gables, and a later third story added in 1868. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Planning and fundraising for the facility continued for many years. Renovation work, supported in part by a National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant, was completed in 1993. The museum had already received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 1986 and was reaccredited in 1999. The institution's accreditation, grant history, exhibition awards, and educational partnerships reflect an emphasis on professional museum and archival practice rather than simply local commemorative activity. The society's holdings include documents, photographs, books, maps, architectural records, textiles, and other three-dimensional artifacts. Its three-dimensional collection contains more than 18,000 objects, while the Booth Library holds more than a million items in total collection-related materials, including approximately 2,500 books, 14,000 photographs, 30,000 manuscripts, and 11,000 maps and architectural records. The collections cover regional life from the late eighteenth century to the present and include material on Mark Twain's connection to Elmira, the American Civil War, abolition and the Underground Railroad, local institutions, and the everyday experiences of Chemung Valley residents. The Chemung Valley History Museum typically displays roughly 200 objects at a time, representing only a small portion of the wider holdings. Its principal gallery areas are the Bank Gallery, Brick Barn Gallery, Howell Gallery, and Frances Brayton Education Room. The Bank Gallery presents a broad account of Chemung County history and a more focused interpretation of Mark Twain's years in Elmira, while the Barn and Howell Galleries support temporary exhibitions that change several times each year. The society also publishes and supports regional historical scholarship through publications such as Banknotes and The Chemung Historical Journal. Educational and public programming has been supported by long-running grants, including assistance from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The organization has received recognition from the American Association for State and Local History, the Upstate History Alliance, MuseumWise, the Retirement Research Foundation, and The History Channel's Save Our History program. It remains a regional cultural institution with members in the United States and Canada and continues to combine museum exhibitions, archival access, historical interpretation, and school and community education.
History
The Chemung County Historical Society was formed in Elmira in November 1923 after Dr. Arthur W. Booth, then president of a local Sons of the American Revolution chapter, advocated the creation of an organization capable of preserving historical papers and objects found throughout the city. Booth presented a proposed constitution and bylaws at the preliminary meeting. Harry Hoffman, Chester Howell, Jabin Secor, Harrison Chapman, Joseph H. Pierce, H. H. Bickford, and Edward B. Billings were among the people associated with the founding effort. Volunteers subsequently built the society's initial collections of artifacts and archival resources. The organization was formally chartered by New York State in 1947. A later reorganization of its bylaws in 1977 prompted the board to address the need for expanded facilities. The society selected the former Chemung Canal Bank Building at 415 East Water Street in Elmira because it offered additional space and possessed its own historical importance. The building had housed the Chemung Canal Bank from 1834 to 1920, after which it was used for other offices, including the Sayles-Evans law office. The structure is a brick example of Greek Revival design with transitional Federal-style features. Its third story was added in 1868, and its architectural character made it unusual in an era when many Elmira buildings were constructed of wood. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The conversion of the property into the society's museum and administrative headquarters required an extended planning and fundraising process. A National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant contributed to the project, and renovation work was completed in 1993. During the renovation period, the museum received American Alliance of Museums accreditation in 1986. The organization was reaccredited in 1999, reinforcing its standing as a professionally managed museum and educational institution. The completed facility accommodates two related repositories. The Chemung Valley History Museum occupies the first floor and presents exhibitions for general visitors, school groups, and the wider community. The Booth Library, located on the second floor, provides library and archival resources for researchers. Together, the facilities document the social, political, economic, cultural, and material history of the Chemung Valley from the late eighteenth century through the modern period. The museum's three-dimensional holdings exceed 18,000 artifacts and include an extensive textile collection. Public displays generally include about 200 objects, meaning that most of the collection remains in storage or is made available through research and rotating interpretation rather than permanent display. Notable subjects and objects include materials associated with Mark Twain's life in Elmira, a mammoth tusk, Civil War artifacts, and objects reflecting local domestic and working life. The museum's principal exhibition spaces are the Bank Gallery, Brick Barn Gallery, Howell Gallery, and Frances Brayton Education Room. The Bank Gallery contains a long-term overview of county history and an interpretation of Mark Twain's Elmira years, while the other principal galleries accommodate temporary exhibitions. The Booth Library's holdings include more than a million items and encompass books, photographs, manuscripts, maps, and architectural records. The collections include personal papers of Chemung Valley residents, published regional histories, Civil War documentation, materials related to abolition and the Underground Railroad, and evidence of ordinary life in Chemung County. The society has also supported regional publishing through Banknotes, its newsletter, and The Chemung Historical Journal, as well as publications concerning local cemeteries, community memory, and the museum. Education and outreach have become central elements of the institution's work. The society has received long-term support through the New York State Council on the Arts' Arts-In-Education programming for rural school districts and through the Institute of Museum and Library Services for general operations. In 2005, The History Channel awarded the organization a Save Our History grant. Exhibitions and programs addressing African American history, institutions such as prisons and mental hospitals, urban infrastructure, women's work, marriage, and funeral traditions have received professional recognition. A video project titled A Heritage Uncovered and its later PBS broadcast also received national recognition from the Retirement Research Foundation. The society continues to operate as a nonprofit cultural and educational institution serving Chemung County and the surrounding region.
- 2014
Bank Gallery long-term exhibition renewed
[1]The museum's long-term Bank Gallery exhibition was redone to present Chemung County history and Mark Twain's relationship with Elmira.
- 2013
Exhibition commendation
[1]The exhibition Til Death Do Us Part: Wedding and Funeral Traditions in Chemung County received a Certificate of Commendation from MuseumWise.
- 2005
Save Our History grant
[1]The society received a Save Our History grant from The History Channel.
- 1999
Museum reaccredited
[1]The institution was reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
- 1993
Chemung Canal Bank Building renovation completed
[1]Renovation of the historic Chemung Canal Bank Building was completed after extended planning and support that included a National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant.
- 1986
First American Alliance of Museums accreditation
[1]The museum achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums during the period of facility renovation.
- 1977
Governance reorganization and facility planning
[1]The board reorganized its bylaws and determined that the society needed a larger and more suitable museum, archive, and administrative facility.
- 1947
New York State charter
[1]The society received a formal charter from New York State.
- 1923
Historical society organized
[1]Arthur W. Booth and other local volunteers organized a historical association in Elmira to preserve documents, artifacts, and other evidence of regional history.
Products and positioning
A professionally operated regional history institution focused on preserving and interpreting the people, places, events, and material culture of Chemung County and the Chemung River Valley.
Museum
Chemung Valley History Museum
The society's public museum occupies the first floor of the historic Chemung Canal Bank Building. It presents a long-term exhibition on Chemung County history and Mark Twain's years in Elmira, alongside temporary exhibitions in the Brick Barn and Howell Galleries. The museum draws from a collection of more than 18,000 three-dimensional artifacts, including textiles, Civil War material, local cultural objects, and a mammoth tusk.
Library and archives
Booth Library
The Booth Library is the society's research library and archival repository. Its holdings include more than a million collection items, with books, photographs, manuscripts, maps, architectural records, personal papers, regional histories, Civil War sources, and materials concerning abolition and the Underground Railroad. The collections span the late eighteenth century to the present.
Historical publication
Banknotes
Banknotes is the newsletter associated with the Chemung County Historical Society. It communicates institutional activities and regional historical information and is catalogued as a continuing publication.
Historical publication
The Chemung Historical Journal
The Chemung Historical Journal is a regional historical publication supported by the society. It contributes to the documentation and interpretation of Chemung County and the surrounding Chemung Valley and has received recognition from the Upstate History Alliance.
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