In the Valley of the Big Horn tells the history of the county from the earliest days of settlement by Native Americans through the end of the 20th century.  Come and explore important events from the county’s past through objects, historic images and hands-on interactives. 

On Permanent Display

Mark Twain’s Elmira focuses on the people and places that the author knew during his time here. The exhibit features artifacts used by Mark Twain and his family and historic images of Elmira during the late 1800s.

On Permanent Display

This hands-on, family friendly gallery allows visitors to learn the history of local schools, sit in a vintage school desk, and to try their hands at historic lessons.

On Display through December 30, 2026

For the month of October, we will be celebrating the spooky season with Memento Mori, a pop-up exhibit in one of our historic bank vaults. A memento mori is an object serving as a warning or reminder of death. This exhibit features artifacts that remind us of our ultimate end as well as Victorian mourning clothing and accessories.

On Display October 1 – November 7

The history of the United States has been shaped by armed conflicts. Fighting for Our Nation examines what it was like for local soldiers and civilians during four wars: the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. The exhibit focuses on individuals and how their lives were impacted through the use of personal accounts from letters and diaries and will feature historic artifacts, images, and documents from each conflict.

On Display July 4, 2026 – May 29, 2027

The items we use in everyday life have changed over the last 250 years. This exhibit compares common objects of today with their historic equivalents and explore why some things changed, while others remained the same.

On display July 25, 2026 – February 27, 2027

On the occasion of the Semiquincentennial of the United States, we are looking back at how the Bicentennial was celebrated locally 50 years ago. This exhibit features historic photographs as well as commemorative souvenirs and mementos from our country’s 200th birthday.

On Display June 16, 2026 – February 27, 2027

This display features dozens of handcrafted works by members of the Corning and Chemung Valley Chapters of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.

On Display August 1 – October 3, 2026

The View from Above explores the history of aerial photography and features more than a dozen historic aerial photographs of locations around Chemung County.

On Display October 15, 2026 through March 27, 2027 with a break during the month of December when drawings and haiku poetry by Finn Academy students go on display in the gallery.