In early November 1923, following a meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution, Dr. Arthur W. Booth, President of the local chapter, recommended that a historical association be founded within Elmira to preserve many of historical documents and other items found throughout the city for future generations."Historical Order Formed". Elmira Star-Gazette 7 November 1923: 1. Print. At this preliminary meeting to form this new historical society, Dr. Arthur W. Booth, who presented the society's new proposed Constitution and By Laws, and was joined by Harry Hoffman, Chester Howell, Jabin Secor, Harrison Chapman, Joseph H. Pierce, H. H. Bickford, and Edward B. Billings.Minutes, Volume 1. Chemung County Historical Society. Elmira. Print. Following this, the society was organized by volunteers who formed small archival and artifact collections.
