The Fenimore Art Museum presents in permanent and changing exhibitions the superb art and history collections of the New York Historical Association. The Association also has a great deal of material associated with James Fenimore Cooper, Cooperstown's most famous native son, and his family.
The Smith And Telfer Photographic Collection
The photography firm of Smith and Telfer documented Cooperstown and its people for almost a century, compiling a unique record of a small town and its changes over the years. Smith and Telfer left a rich legacy, now preserved by the New York State Historical Association. A selection from the 60,000 images in the Smith and Telfer collection is available online.
In 1995, the Fenimore Art Museum embarked upon a new era with the addition of a spectacular new American Indian Wing designed to house the extraordinary gift from Eugene and Clare Thaw of their collection of American Indian Art. The collection has continued to grow as new objects are added by the Thaws and other donors, and today numbers almost 850 objects.
NYSHA's folk art collection is one of the nation's largest and finest. Begun with extensive gifts from Stephen C. Clark, the collection includes a variety of paintings, ship figureheads, quilts, weathervanes, trade signs, cigar-store figures, carvings, and decorated stoneware, all created by American folk artists.
The fine art collection was largely assembled by connoisseur Stephen C. Clark one of the Museum's greatest patrons. The collection contains some of the best examples of American landscape, history, and genre painting.
The photography firm of Smith and Telfer documented Cooperstown and its people for almost a century, compiling a unique record of a small town and its changes over the years. Smith and Telfer left a rich legacy, now preserved by the New York State Historical Association. A selection from the 60,000 images in the Smith and Telfer collection is available online.
