HERKIMER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The beginnings of the Herkimer County Historical Society originated with five prominent Herkimer citizens—George W. Smith, John Dryden Henderson, Henry Churchill, Charles E. Snyder and Henry G. Munger—who were given the task by the Herkimer Free Library Board of Trustees in December, 1895, to take initial steps to organize a Herkimer County Historical Society.
One month later, on January 2, 1896, a meeting was held at the Herkimer County Courthouse. United States Senator Warner Miller presided over the meeting with more than 100 people attending. The constitution was read that had been drafted by John Dryden Henderson for the Society. It noted that “the Society’s objectives would be, among other things, the discovery, collection, preservation and publishing of the history, historical records and data of and relating to that portion of the State of New York formerly known as Tryon County, and later as Herkimer County.”
They elected Judge Earl as its first president. Three vice presidents were named—Albert N. Russell, Alonzo Green, and James Folts. Albert T. “Tappy” Smith was elected recording secretary and John D. Henderson treasurer, George W. Smith corresponding secretary and William M. Dutton, librarian.
Storage space and meeting rooms were in the Herkimer Free Library on North Main Street (formerly the home of Judge and Mrs. Robert Earl, which had been given for use to the library).
The new Society had 150 charter members. A sizable collection of artifacts began to be donated. A comprehensive library of volumes dealing with regional and county history was assembled and provided source material for the papers which were presented by members at each meeting. The first paper was given February 13, 1896 by George W. Smith. (A 4-volume collection of these “Papers Read Before the Herkimer County Historical Society” can be found in our library). The group became inactive in 1928 and the remaining officers maintained the semblance of an organization. The Society was renewed and reorganized in 1935 by the Herkimer Service Club.
The Society would get a “home” of their own and much larger quarters when Dr. A. Walter Suiter (1850-1925) stipulated in his Will that the Society would receive his Queen Anne style building on the corner of N. Main and Court Sts. after the death of his sister Mary Grace (1936). In 1938, the Society officially moved in.
In 1943 Wilda Austin was appointed part-time clerk and research assistant. In 1946, Charles Crandall became County Historian and had an office in the Society. In 1951, Hazel Patrick joined the Society and became a long-time librarian, retiring at the age of 93. She answered many genealogy inquiries and her research makes up a lot of the invaluable genealogy material that we have today. At the age of 74, she began a series of books on early families of Herkimer County published by the Society. Our Resource Center is named in her memory.
In 1973, Jane Spellman became the Director of the Herkimer County Historical Society, a one day a week position. It became a full time job in 1977. She retired in 1995 after a career of bringing the Society into the spotlight and providing programs and events to the public promoting our area’s history.
In 1982, the first major exhibition “A View of This Place, Herkimer County, NY” was installed. In 1990, the second major exhibition “All In A Day’s Work: Working People-Working Lives” was assembled. In 1991, the Society coordinated a huge celebration week for the County’s bicentennial and in 1995, the opening of the exhibit “The Life of Francis Elias Spinner,” the 10th Treasurer of the United States, brought Mary Ellen Withrow, the U.S. Treasurer, to our facility to help open the exhibit.
We expanded our property in 1988 when the Society’s Board of Trustees purchased the building next door at 406 N. Main Street. A capital campaign was undertaken under the supervision of Bill Busacker, who was made chairman, and through generous donations from Society members and a grant from the New York Council on the Arts, it was made possible to renovate and restore the building. A major gift to the Capital Campaign was made by Albert Ross Eckler and his sister Mary Lois Eckler Dennison and the building was named the “Eckler Building” in memory of their parents Albert Ross and Jennie Howe Eckler. Today, the building houses our Resource Center, Gift Shop, and offices.
In 1995, Susan Perkins, previously the Registrar and Administrative Assistant since 1982, became Executive Director. In 2021 Sue retired with Caryl Hopkins, the Office Administrator. Both served their community and are still valued members of the society.
In 2021, Christopher Connolly a local teacher and business owner became the Executive Director. Chris brought with him a fresh perspective and renewed excitement to the Historical Society. He continued with community outreach, and began the process of updating the museum and digitizing the very large document collections. In early 2022 Chris left the Society to serve the community in a different manner. He is still a trusted and valued supporter of the continuing renewal of the Society.
In May of 2022, Cassandra Castle was named Executive Director.