The Pan-American Exposition was a World’s Fair held in Buffalo, New York in 1901. Buffalo was one of the largest American cities at the time and was chosen as a World’s Fair site in part due to its proximity to major railways. The Exposition showcased many exhibits, most notably the use of electricity. Hydroelectric power generated by the Niagara River powered the Exposition grounds and buildings. President William McKinley was assassinated while attending the Exposition.

The Pan-American Exposition (Pan-Am), which took place in Buffalo, NY from May 1 to November 1, 1901, was a World’s Fair designed to recognize the independence and growth of the nations of the Western Hemisphere and to celebrate the technological advances of the 19th century. Dozens of temporary buildings, made from wood and plaster, were constructed in the year and a half before the Exposition opened. Painted according to an intricate color scheme, the buildings were brightly-colored and inspired the nickname “Rainbow City.” Their ornate features blended classical architecture with Spanish influences from Latin America. Inside, visitors enjoyed cultural, artistic and technological exhibits. Other attractions on the Pan-Am grounds included a vibrant Midway, sporting events and concerts.
Unfortunately, the Pan-Am’s legacy was marred by the assassination of President William McKinley at the fair’s Temple of Music, which resulted in Theodore Roosevelt’s inauguration as president of the United States in the Site’s library on September 14, 1901.

Methodist Committee for Overseas Relief - The MCOR was founded in 1940 in response to the humanitarian disaster of World War II. One of the primary objectives of the MCOR following the war was to find homes for the refugees displaced by the war. In Elmira, Harvey O. Hutchinson, member of the Hedding Methodist Church and retired Superintendent of Elmira City Schools, worked as the local liaison arranging homes and jobs for displaced persons from Eastern Europe resettled in the Twin Tiers.

The Otsego Lake Historical Collection is a selection of primary resources from the Library’s collection that illustrate the landscape and historic importance of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, NY. This digital gallery was created to accompany an extensive bibliography of secondary sources and Museum objects published by NYSHA Research Library and Fenimore Art Museum. Digitization and creation of the Otsego Lake Historical Collection & Bibliography was made possible by the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is an American organization that was founded in 1874. The WCTU was one of the largest and most influential women’s groups of the 19th century. Among the many causes the WCTU has supported as an organization are abstinence of alcohol, the protection of women and children at home and work, and women’s right to vote. There were chapters throughout the United States that fought at the local and state level to promote these causes.

Oswego is a port city on Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. The region has deep ties to the Iroquois and is named after an Iroquoian word which means a “pouring out place” referring to its location at a rivermouth of Oswego River. The area was established as a trading post by the British in the early 18th century. Oswego County was formally incorporated in 1816. Oswego was a main hub for transportation not only as a port-city, but also through canals and railways.

Tompkins County is in the west central part of New York State, south of Syracuse and northwest of Binghamton. It is usually geographically grouped with the Finger Lakes region, but some locals consider themselves to be part of Central New York or the Southern Tier. The city of Ithaca is the county seat. The county is also home to Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College. The Cayuga people, part of the Haudenosaunee, call this land home.