Chemung Canal Bank Building

The Chemung Canal Bank Building in Elmira features brick walls with stepped gables, Greek revival design elements, and traditional Federal styling throughout its structure. The second floor contains the Booth Library, which offers public access to research materials and historical archives about the region.

The building was constructed in 1833 as the original home of Chemung Canal Trust Company and operated as a bank for seventy-six years before converting to other uses. A major renovation in 1903 transformed its interior for modern banking operations.

The building now serves as the Chemung Valley History Museum, where visitors explore regional artifacts and documents that tell the story of local life. The collection reflects how people in this area lived and worked across generations.

The site is open to the public, with the Booth Library providing research materials about regional history. Visitors should check opening hours in advance and be prepared for the typical conditions of a historic building.

A 1903 renovation added refined interior details including mahogany counters and terrazzo flooring, along with two currency vaults for secure storage. The ventilation system was custom designed to meet the demands of banking operations.