Senate Resolution No. 2441

BY: Senator AKSHAR

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Broome
County Historical Society on November 20, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across the great
State of New York is reflective of certain exemplary organizations whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its
citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Broome County Historical
Society to be celebrated at an event to be held on Wednesday, November
20, 2019; and

WHEREAS, First established during the summer of 1919, the Broome
County Historical Society began as a meeting of five men held in the
back room of a clothing shop in Binghamton, New York; at that gathering
it was decided membership would be open to all citizens having an
interest in historical matters pertaining to Broome County; and

WHEREAS, In its early years, the Broome County Historical Society
diligently worked to maintain and furnish a reading room, books, papers
and magazines; provide lectures on historic subjects; study the history
of Broome County; preserve stories and legends of local interest; and
acquire and preserve landmarks of interest; and

WHEREAS, In 1942 the Broome County Historical Society relocated to
the Broome County Courthouse where it established a museum which filled
three rooms on the top floor of the building; the stated purpose of the
society was refined as follows: to promote historical research within
Broome County; to gather and hold books, manuscripts, maps, pictures and
relics, and to maintain a library and museum for their preservation; and

WHEREAS, Following World War II, the Broome County Historical
Society experienced significant growth which was due primarily to the
work and intense passion for local history by two men, William E. Flook,
and Foster Disinger; as a result, more space was needed making it
necessary to move again in 1953, this time to Binghamton's historic
Alonzo Roberson Mansion, where the museum occupied three rooms; and

WHEREAS, Finally, in 2000, with construction of a new Broome County
Public Library, the Broome County Historical Society moved to its
current location on the upper floor of the building; today, the society
has over 500 members and its collections include over 200,000 artifacts
and reaches several thousand followers daily through television, radio
and social media; publications are released each year and lectures
continue to be held; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Broome
County Historical Society may take just pride in its purposeful growth,
as it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Broome County Historical
Society on November 20, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Broome County Historical Society.