Historic Palmyra features “Abraham Lincoln” and “The Founding of America”

Palmyra, NY

Summer 2009 Information from Historic Palmyra

Get your passport from the National Parks Service and come on down to the Palmyra Historical Museum and get it stamped. The Historic Palmyra museums are among the newest added stops for those passport stamp seekers. This is a celebration of the National Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor, the newest Federal Park covering the entire length of New York from Buffalo to Albany and some spots north and south. Don’t forget to stop in Newark another stamp site.

The museums open June 1st. The Alling Coverlet Museum, at 122 William St., is open daily 1-4 p.m. The Market Street museums include the Wm. Phelps General Store, Palmyra Historical Museum and the Palmyra Print Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. until Mid-September. Share in the experience of this unique, one-of-a-kind “Historic Palmyra’s History Trail along the Erie Canal.”

Visit these four living buildings in their original community, containing displays of community life, its people, and happenings from 1826 through to 1976. This year, the Alling Coverlet Museum exhibit features 200 years of Abraham Lincoln, through coverlets. The dates of the coverlets will note happenings in the life of Abraham Lincoln. New handouts are prepared for your visit as well as many new gift book items depicting the theme. President Lincoln’s Inaugural Train came through Palmyra in 1861 on its way to Washington D.C., only stopping in Clyde, while the mournful Funeral Train stopped in Palmyra early on the morning of April 28th, 1865 on its way to Illinois.

Come see the first weather man, the first layman Chancellor of the New York State Universities, Abolitionists and Underground Railroad information, our Whaling Captain, veterans from all wars, and inventors. View the clothing that was worn and the games that were played. See the 24 themed rooms with toys, dolls, furniture, tools, religion, clothing, and photographs. A new section features one of our local heroes, Admiral William T. Sampson. The grand opening of this exhibit will be featured at the Ice Cream Social on Thursday, June 18, 2009--it will be open for free tours and ice cream sundaes. All tours begin at the Alling Coverlet 6:30 p.m.

At the Wm. Phelps General Store, become part of the old days for a short time in the three-story authentic Erie-Canal-era store and home. When you hear the stories and experience the originality, imagine yourself in 1880. Share the experience of walking where those living in Palmyra or traveling on the Ole Erie from 1826 to 1880 shopped and gathered.

The Palmyra Print Shop features Courier Journal artifacts from Palmyra’s hometown 1838 newspaper. You will witness the history of printing from 1855 through 1970. Take a turn at the 4,000 lb. printing press made at the John M. Jones factory and foundry and shipped all over the world on the Erie Canal.

Celebrate Palmyra’s life: past, present, and future.

Historic Palmyra History Trail along the Erie Canal We know that you will be pleased and impressed with the efforts of Historic Palmyra and the history of Palmyra. Docents, volunteers, and helpers are always needed and encouraged to participate. Volunteering is fun and educational. We need your help, and it's fun, too! Call for more information at (315) 597-6981, e-mail bjfhpinc@rochester.rr.com or visit www.historicpalmyrany.com.

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