The History of Somers History

SOMERS, N.Y. - Whether you have lived your entire life in Somers or moved here yesterday, you have or will come to know the wonderful town amenities. You might visit the Museum of the Early American Circus, the Wright-Reis Homestead, Mount Zion Church, Tomahawk Chapel, Reis Park, Muscoot Farm, Angle Fly Preserve, or Lasdon Park.

You will notice the Amawalk, New Croton, and Muscoot Reservoirs. There are lot of rock walls everywhere. You may have attended the Primrose, Intermediate, Junior High, and High Schools or Kennedy High School. You shop at Somers Towne Center, Somers Commons, or other Somers stores. You will likely visit the Town House or the Somers Library. You might enjoy Lake Lincolndale, Lake Shenorock, or Lake Purdy. You could be a volunteer at one of the four firehouses in Somers.

All of these features of the Town of Somers have their roots in the past, often the very distant past. Did you know that the first people living in this area were called the Kitchawanks, part of the Wappinger Confederacy of Native Americans?  Henry Hudson met the Native Americans in 1609. Gradually, Dutch settlers began to arrive. However, they lost their lands to the English. Stephanus Van Cortlandt received a grant of 86,000 acres in 1697 which included the future Town of Somers. Settlers received land grants and started to move here in 1732. Then for our Somers forerunners, a long road of almost 300 years of history began.

The accumulation of past experiences which grew into modern Somers were recorded by government, churches, cemeteries, and newspapers. Family bibles, diaries, letters, and word of mouth helped preserve the past. But overall, Somers history was not readily available. However, in 1945 two women, Mary Leonard Egan, who collected Somers circus memorabilia, and Carrie Brown Rorer, a direct descendant of Hachaliah Brown who came north as a first pioneer on a Van Cortlandt grant, were allowed to use a bedroom on the second floor of the Town House to archive and collect artifacts. Ms. Rorer was steeped in her family history and became the unofficial town historian.

Seven residents of Somers (Francis Billingsley, Harry H. Chambers, Ferdinand T. Hopkins, William Lasdon, Patrick V. Ryan, Margaret Voislawsky, and Charles Ward) led by Otto Koegel, founded the Somers Historical Society which was chartered September 28, 1956. Otto Koegel, who did so much for Somers, became the official Town Historian and first President of the SHS. In 1958 the Society had 79 members.  By 1988 the Society had grown in membership to over 400.  With these came active volunteers who have accomplished so much to preserve Somers history for future generations.

The new Somers Historical Society (SHS) began its work. In 1958 Otto Keogel erected the first monument in memory of Richard Somers, a simple stone and plaque. In 1956 SHS founded the Somers Historical Society Museum on the third floor of the Somers Town Hall. On display are a number of special collections donated to the Museum over the years. A small office for the SHS President and a larger office for the Town Historian are located there. A cataloged library of Circus History books was created. A large collection of photos and written material from Somers and Circus History was indexed and available for research.  Four galleries depicting the early Menagerie,  American Circus, Somers Town history, the Drovers Bank, and Wright-Reis artifacts are displayed. They include the Dr.Hugh Grant Rowell’s Miniature Circus. Many priceless artifacts provide a glimpse into the past.

Carolyn Wright-Reis who died childless in 1967 left 82 acres to the Town. This bequeath included the homestead and barns built in 1845 fully equipped with the proper artifacts that portrayed 19th farm living. In 1971 the Town Board appointed the Somers Historical Society to advise the town concerning the homestead and outbuildings. In 1985 The Society and the Wright-Reis Board arranged to restore the homestead as it appeared in the 19th century. The house and its artifacts were opened to the public. SHS curated and provided docents to conduct tours of the building and property.   Many organizations, including groups of school children, were able to tour the buildings. The SHS Board meetings are held there as well as many special events.

The Somers Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church built in 1794 by one Micajah Wright was the earliest church in Somers. Services there continued until 1897 when it closed. It was used from time to time for weddings or special services.  By the mid 1900’s it was in disrepair and overgrown. In the summer of 1970 a deranged man trashed the interior including the reed organ and original blown glass windows. Starting in 1971, spearheaded by Francis Billingsley, The Katonah Methodist Church Trustees and SHS began restoring the building. It was deeded to the Town of Somers in 1973 and SHS began curating and managing the former church. The church is adjacent to Reis Park and is visited by groups of children, used for patriotic hymn sings on Independence Day, and other events.  It, like the Elephant Hotel, is now on the National Registry of Historic Places. The adjacent cemetery, burial place of many famous circus families was restored and cataloged on-line.

The Tomahawk Chapel and an adjacent cemetery, while not open to the public,is curated by SHS. The society also is responsible for the Gazebo in Bailey Park and provides historical input to the Elephant Hotel. The recent replacement of the old “Old Bet” elephant by a wonderful bronze effigy sitting on top of the granite shaft in front of the elephant hotel was a special project of SHS and the Town of Somers. This symbol of Somers is only one of the truly unique historical amenities that make our town special.

SHS is a past Chair and current member of the Historical Properties Board, a sub-committee of the Town Board. The needs of the properties such a new roof for the Wright-Reis House or the restoration of the Gazebo in Bailey Park can be brought to it for consideration and funding. SHS sponsors special events such as the “Gingerbread Festival” and “Circus Day.’ The SHS and Boy Scouts restored a 1917 our Model T Ford which participates in various events such as the Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades. Girl Scouts plant a garden at Wright-Reis Homestead sponsored by the SHS.  Produce goes to the St. Lukes Food Pantry. Each year the SHS participates in or sponsors the Somers Independence Day Celebration, Remembrance Day Ceremony at Bailey Park, and the Christmas Tree lighting at the Town Hall.

SHS has published a number of brochures over the years, including the 293-page hardcover book “Somers, Its people and places 1788 - 1988.” SHS contributes articles on Somers History to The Somers Record. The Society is an active member of several state and national associations. In recent years SHS has established a WEB site, created video and audio recording of events and people of note, including audio recording of former Town Supervisors. The Society accepts and curates donations of artifacts. And much, much more. All of this is accomplished by volunteers.
Among these volunteers were many notable people who devoted (and still do) countless hours to advance many projects.  Long time member Emil Antonaccio served as First Vice President in 1988 and went on to be President off and on advancing many important projects over the years.  Emil finally retired May 30th, 2024  He made the impossible, possible. Two Trustees he worked with in 1988, Margaret “Meg” Timone and Rose Fiscella, are still with SHS as officers today. The current  Somers Town Historian Doris Smith was also a trustee for many years and contributed so much to SHS.  Another long time member and one time President of SHS, Grace Zimmermann led many projects and events over many years.  For the past 78 years  dozens  of many unsung Somers volunteers created  permanent records of the past that can be seen, touched, and admired by today’s residents.

Volunteers are like “Gold” for SHS.  Without them the flame of Somer’s history could flicker and die out.  If you want to help SHS in its mission, contact us at somershistoricalsoc.org for more details and a membership application.  You will be amazed at all the interesting projects that you would enjoy and which enrich your life and that of the Town of Somers.  You can make your mark on the “History of Somers History.”

Article courtesy of Somers Historical Society.