Online learning resources.

The following presentations have either been used in off-site or on-site talks or were created as a resource for visitors.

Palmyra's Vast History presentation, originally presented by Bonnie Hays Executive Director
1789, John Swift and the founding of Palmyra: Revolutionary War Captain, founded Palmyra, Phelps and Gorham Purchase
1790, The First Settlers: Swift brought people in wagons and boats along Ganargua Creek
1796, Town Formed: A name chosen with love.
1812, The War of 1812: Death of Major William Howe Cuyler, Death General John Swift
1816, Still No Canal: Just an idea! We were the frontier. Joseph Smith comes to town.
1821, Erie Canal opens in Palmyra: 10 mile segment, Ganargua Creek navigable by state law, Myron Holley.
1825, Entire Canal Opens: population decreases, Rochester or bust
1827-1865, Abolitionism: Anti-Slave Act, Pliny Sexton, Western Presbyterian Church
1845-1850: Canal Enlargement #1
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1868: Phelps General Store Opens
1870-1880: Canal Enlargement #2
1910: Barge Canal
1960s-1970s: Urban Renewal
Palmyra is Known for Many Things
Buildings
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Churches
Fires
Weaving
Printing
Women of Palmyra
1976-present, Historic Palmyra's 5 Museums, 1 Destination
Women of Palmyra presented by Historic Palmyra
This presentation briefly presents several important women of Palmyra, NY. These are only a few of the many amazing women that have been a part of our community.
Clarissa Hall Jerome: 1825-1895; Independent, self-reliant, and charming; Orphaned in 1828, she was a self-made woman; Lived on Canal Street in Palmyra with husband Leonard Jerome before moving to Rochester and then NYC; Clarissa traveled to Europe w
Lavinia Chase: 1843-1905; Translator for the U.S. Congress circa 1865; Champion of the U.S. Veteran, visited the sick and lonely in Washington area hospitals; Began the Soldiers', Sailors', and Marines' Club in Washington, DC, offering a safe, wholes
Lucy Lakey Bowman: 1840-1929; Daughter of Abner Lakey, a house builder, and half-sister to Ira (whaling captain) and Franklin (Erie Canal businessman); Passionate activist, involved with the Freedmen's Fancy Dance with her husband each year to raise
Anna Webster Eaton: 1823-1910; Before marrying, taught at Mount Holyoke Seminary, 1843-1845; Deeply involved in the abolitionist movement and Underground Railroad alongside husband Rev. Horace Eaton and the Western Presbyterian Church; They assisted
Dr. Harriet Adams: 1820s-1886; Began practicing medicine in 1856, taking after her father who was also a doctor; The first female doctor in Palmyra; Joined the ranks of the early female doctors in the nation and is reported to have studied with Eliza
Harriet Hyde Sexton: 1839-1921; Became Vice President of Palmyra National Bank in 1882, replacing her late father-in-law Pliny Sexton at the bank which was owned and operated by her husband Pliny T. Sexton; The bank was a financial cornerstone in Pal
Sibyl Eugene Phelps: 1896-1976; Lived on Market St. her entire life where her father operated a general store; An accomplished musician, wrote her graduation song and taught lessons throughout her life; Was in the first class at the Eastman School of
Preserving History: Jackie O'Connell: Historic Palmyra President and then board member; Involved with the opening of multiple museums; Merle Alling: Coverlet collector and donor; Namesake of the Alling Coverlet Museum and donor of its founding collec
Preserving History Continued...: Agnes McLouth Griffith: President of the Palmyra Courier-Journal; Donated the 1901 building for the Alling Coverlet Museum; Margaret Carr: Helped bring Merle Alling's collection to the museum; An accomplished weaver a
And Many Others: Palmyra Memorial Parade of 1894: Patriotic residents lined up to head to the Palmyra Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers and sailors; Many women are pictured including preceptress Elizabeth Peabody
 

Dig camp virtual series.

This series of videos was made when our Dig Camp was cancelled due to COVID-19. Enjoy these videos and join us in the summer for in-person Dig Camp.