In early November, I had the pleasure of visiting Cooperstown, New York, during a week-long driving tour. From the pleasant fall colors to the comfortable accommodations and the informative museums in the area, Cooperstown is a HIT. These four museums in and around Cooperstown are not to be missed when visiting the area!
HYDE HALL
Hyde Hall is a 19th-century residence outside of Cooperstown designed by architect Phillip Hooker. The residence was built between 1817 and 1834 by George Clarke. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1986. The magnificent house is perched high on the hill overlooking Otsego Lake. If you stand on the lakefront in Cooperstown, you can make out the shape of a sleeping lion on the hill, Hyde Hall. The drive up the long drive to the house is reminiscent of the drive to Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey fame.
In fact, the entire house evokes Downton Abby. When you enter the formal dining room with its extraordinarily ornate vapor light chandeliers and massive painting of ‘Jenny’ that towers above the table, you think the family will enter the room and sit down to dinner.
The property was acquired by New York State in 1963, and since 1988, the Friends of Hyde Hall, the organization charged with its care and restoration, has overseen its restoration. Because the Clarke family kept excellent records throughout the property’s life, there is ample documentation on the building and purchase of the residence. Much of the furniture, most of which was made in New York State, is original to the house. The house is now part of Glimmerglass State Park, a short drive outside Cooperstown.
https://hydehall.org/plan-your-visit/
FARMER’S MUSEUM
The Farmer’s Museum was founded in 1943. This turned out to be one of the most interesting stops during my week-long tour of the Finger Lakes region. The museum was closed, but one employee, a kind young man named Patrick, was generous and gave me a brief tour of this captivating village and of life in 19th-century America. All the buildings in this living museum were relocated to the museum grounds in the 1950s from within a 100-mile radius of Cooperstown. The museum features a hand-carved carousel.
One thousand volunteer carvers carved the Carousel, and it is truly a work of art. We visited the Blacksmith’s shop, the print shop, the pharmacy, and the tavern. The Farmers Museum is a unique teaching museum and well worth the trip.
http://m.farmersmuseum.org/ https://www.farmersmuseum.org/farmers/collections/historic_structures
FENIMORE ART MUSEUM
The Fenimore Art Museum is located just across the street from the Farmer’s Museum, which provided me with a nice retreat from the snow and cold. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits at the Fenimore, including Letters from Alexander Hamilton’s Final Act, the works of David Levinthal, Puzzles of the Brain, the Coopers of Cooperstown, and Native American art. It proved a pleasant, quiet refuge in the midst of a hectic day.
https://www.fenimoreartmuseum.org/
NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
The National Baseball Hall of Fame lies at the heart of Cooperstown. Baseball may not be my favorite sport, but I certainly appreciate our National pastime, especially as it relates to my hometown. Mobile, Alabama, has made an indelible mark on baseball throughout the years. I was pleasantly surprised to discover an extensive exhibit on Mobile native Hank Aaron at the Hall of Fame. Mobile has produced five Baseball Hall of Famers: Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Satchel Paige, Ozzie Smith, and Billy Williams. That is more Hall of Famers than any other city besides New York and Los Angeles. The Hall of Fame offers visitors an in-depth look at the game and its players, from its beginnings to the most recent World Series.
Exhibits range from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the African American pioneers in baseball, and Viva Baseball about the Latin American baseball players to the record-breaking moments in the game’s history. Game fans have donated all the artifacts and memorabilia throughout the museum, and they are truly amazing.
From Babe Ruth’s Yankee uniform to Hank Aaron’s bat and glove, these artifacts help tell the story of our National Pastime. The Hall of Fame itself is a meaningful tribute to the men and women who play and have played this game as a testament to their hard work and talent. Mariano Rivera is eligible in 2019, and Derek Jeter is eligible for induction in 2020. I am sure the ceremonies on July 21, 2019, and July 26, 2020, will be record breakers for Cooperstown.
I had the pleasure of staying at the Inn at Cooperstown during my visit to Otsego County. This charming, comfortable B&B is nestled on Chestnut Street. I arrived a bit later than intended, and the Inn’s location made it easy to dash out to grab a bite of dinner on Cooperstown’s main street. Breakfast at the Inn was delicious and effortlessly presented to the guests. My room was nicely appointed with a comfortable king bed, a large television, and a cozy bath. B&Bs are a big draw in the Cooperstown area, and I would recommend the Inn at Cooperstown for a visit. Parking was also provided directly behind the Inn.
https://www.innatcooperstown.com/
My thanks to Cassandra Harrington and Jacqueline White at https://www.thisiscooperstown.com/ for arranging such an in-depth and wonderful visit to Otsego County. There is so much to enjoy and discover in Cooperstown and Otsego County! I hope to return and enjoy more of its rich history.
