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- Herkimer County Historical Society
History of the 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.
- Herkimer County Historical Society
A History of the Herkimer County Historical Society
The Herkimer County Historical Society traces its origins to December 1895, when the Herkimer Free Library Board of Trustees appointed five prominent local citizens—George W. Smith, John Dryden Henderson, Henry Churchill, Charles E. Snyder, and Henry G. Munger—to organize a county historical society.
Just one month later, on January 2, 1896, more than 100 people gathered at the Herkimer County Courthouse for the Society’s inaugural meeting. United States Senator Warner Miller presided over the event as John Dryden Henderson presented the Society’s newly drafted constitution. Its mission was clear: to discover, collect, preserve, and publish the history and historical records of the region once known as Tryon County and later as Herkimer County.
At that first meeting, Judge Robert Earl was elected the Society’s first president. Albert N. Russell, Alonzo Green, and James Folts were chosen as vice presidents. Albert T. “Tappy” Smith became recording secretary, John D. Henderson was elected treasurer, George W. Smith served as corresponding secretary, and William M. Dutton became librarian.
The Society’s first home was in the Herkimer Free Library on North Main Street, formerly the residence of Judge and Mrs. Robert Earl. With 150 charter members, the organization quickly grew as residents donated artifacts, documents, and books that formed the foundation of an impressive regional history collection.
Education was central to the Society from the beginning. At each meeting, members presented historical research papers, beginning with George W. Smith’s presentation on February 13, 1896. These presentations were later compiled into the four-volume Papers Read Before the Herkimer County Historical Society, which remains an invaluable research resource today.
Although the Society became inactive in 1928, its remaining officers maintained the organization until it was revitalized and reorganized in 1935 through the efforts of the Herkimer Service Club.
A permanent home became possible through the generosity of Dr. A. Walter Suiter (1850–1925), who stipulated in his will that his Queen Anne-style residence at the corner of North Main and Court Streets would be given to the Society following the death of his sister, Mary Grace Suiter, in 1936. The Society officially moved into the historic home in 1938, where it continues to welcome visitors today.
The Society continued to grow through the dedication of remarkable individuals. In 1943, Wilda Austin was appointed part-time clerk and research assistant. Three years later, Charles Crandall became Herkimer County Historian and established his office within the Society.
In 1951, Hazel Patrick joined the staff as librarian, beginning a remarkable career that lasted until her retirement at age 93. She answered thousands of genealogy inquiries and created much of the research that still forms the backbone of the Society’s genealogy collections. At age 74, she began publishing the Society’s respected series on the early families of Herkimer County. Today, the Hazel Patrick Resource Center proudly bears her name.
Jane Spellman became Director of the Society in 1973, initially serving one day each week before the position became full-time in 1977. During her 22-year tenure, she transformed the Society into a vibrant community resource through innovative exhibits, educational programming, and public events that celebrated Herkimer County’s rich history. She retired in 1995 after leaving an enduring legacy.
The Society’s museum exhibitions also flourished during this period. In 1982, it unveiled its first major exhibit, A View of This Place: Herkimer County, New York. This was followed in 1990 by All in a Day’s Work: Working People—Working Lives. In 1991, the Society coordinated the county’s week-long Bicentennial celebration, and in 1995 welcomed United States Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow for the opening of The Life of Francis Elias Spinner, honoring the Herkimer County native who served as the 10th Treasurer of the United States.
Growth continued in 1988 when the Society purchased the neighboring building at 406 North Main Street. Under the leadership of Capital Campaign Chairman Bill Busacker, generous support from Society members, the New York State Council on the Arts, and a major gift from Albert Ross Eckler and Mary Lois Eckler Dennison made it possible to restore the building. Named the Eckler Building in memory of their parents, Albert Ross and Jennie Howe Eckler, it now houses the Hazel Patrick Resource Center, Gift Shop, and administrative offices.
Susan Perkins, who had served as Registrar and Administrative Assistant since 1982, became Executive Director in 1995. Together with Office Administrator Caryl Hopkins, she led the Society for more than two decades before both retired in 2021. Their dedication and commitment continue to be appreciated by the Society and the community.
In 2021, local educator and business owner Christopher Connolly was appointed Executive Director. During his tenure, he expanded community outreach, began modernizing museum exhibits, and launched efforts to digitize the Society’s extensive archival collections. Although he departed in early 2022 to pursue other opportunities in public service, his contributions helped lay the groundwork for the Society’s continued growth.
In May 2022, Cassandra Castle was named Executive Director. Under her leadership, the Herkimer County Historical Society continues to preserve the county’s rich heritage while expanding educational programming, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring that local history remains accessible for future generations.
Today, more than 130 years after its founding, the Herkimer County Historical Society remains committed to its original mission: preserving, protecting, and sharing the history of Herkimer County through its museum, archives, research center, educational programs, exhibitions, and community events.
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.