FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: G. Zimmermann
Somers, NY, February 2007 - The Elephant Hotel in Somers, New York has been many things since
being built in 1825: a stagecoach stop, hotel, post office, tea room, Farmers and Drovers Bank (2nd
Banking institution in Westchester County), meeting place for the Zoological Institute formed by local
menagerie owners, Somers Town Hall and Historical Society headquarters. Now, it adds a new
credential to its lineage - the subject of birdhouse folk art and poster pin-up.
It earned this latest distinction in its lengthy lineage, thanks to a collaborative project between Somers
Historical Society, members of the Heritage Hills Woodcraft Club and Somers artists who created a
whimsical collection of 16 birdhouses in the likeness of the Elephant Hotel to commemorate the formal
dedication of the building as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The birdhouses in the collection,
"The Elephant Hotel. on Review", were displayed throughout Somers and then auctioned off
individually to benefit the Society.
Commemorative posters were created originally for the participating artists and businesses in this
fund raiser; however, because of the extreme popularity of the birdhouse collection, the Society
increased its production. It has been selling posters to the general public in its offices at the Elephant
Hotel since November and recently expanded to sell throughout the community.
The poster is $15 and available in Somers at: Somers Historical Society, The Mexican Shack, Heritage
Hills Activity Center and Somers Custom Framing.
Framed versions are available at Somers Custom Framing in Somers, Wild Birds Unlimited and The
Paint Box in Bedford Hills.
Members of the Heritage Hills Woodcraft Club have been crafting birdhouses in the likeness of the
Elephant Hotel for the Somers Historical Society for a number of years in memory of member Carol
Derr, who conceived of, and designed, the Elephant Hotel bird house originally. Mrs. Derr was also a
member of the Somers Historical Society.
Somers Historical Society, founded in 1956, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and retains an
Absolute Charter from the New York State Department of Education as an educational corporation. The
organization is a member of AASLH, the Lower Hudson Conference, the Westchester Arts Council,
Somers Chamber of Commerce and the Circus Historical Society. Corporate members are Billingsley
Realty, DiNardo's Farm Market, Houlihan Lawrence Realty, the Mexican Shack, Putnam County Savings
Bank. Special contributors are Pepsi Bottling Group Foundation, Inc. and Somers Lions Club.
Office hours are M-T, 9:00 am to 4:30pm. Museum hours Thursdays, 2 to 4pm and during special
events in Somers Hamlet. Tours are available and may be made by calling (914) 277-4977, Email
Oldbet@cloud9.net. website address: www.somershistoricalsoc.org.
###
CONTACT: G. Zimmermann
Somers, NY, February 2007 - The Elephant Hotel in Somers, New York has been many things since
being built in 1825: a stagecoach stop, hotel, post office, tea room, Farmers and Drovers Bank (2nd
Banking institution in Westchester County), meeting place for the Zoological Institute formed by local
menagerie owners, Somers Town Hall and Historical Society headquarters. Now, it adds a new
credential to its lineage - the subject of birdhouse folk art and poster pin-up.
It earned this latest distinction in its lengthy lineage, thanks to a collaborative project between Somers
Historical Society, members of the Heritage Hills Woodcraft Club and Somers artists who created a
whimsical collection of 16 birdhouses in the likeness of the Elephant Hotel to commemorate the formal
dedication of the building as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The birdhouses in the collection,
"The Elephant Hotel. on Review", were displayed throughout Somers and then auctioned off
individually to benefit the Society.
Commemorative posters were created originally for the participating artists and businesses in this
fund raiser; however, because of the extreme popularity of the birdhouse collection, the Society
increased its production. It has been selling posters to the general public in its offices at the Elephant
Hotel since November and recently expanded to sell throughout the community.
The poster is $15 and available in Somers at: Somers Historical Society, The Mexican Shack, Heritage
Hills Activity Center and Somers Custom Framing.
Framed versions are available at Somers Custom Framing in Somers, Wild Birds Unlimited and The
Paint Box in Bedford Hills.
Members of the Heritage Hills Woodcraft Club have been crafting birdhouses in the likeness of the
Elephant Hotel for the Somers Historical Society for a number of years in memory of member Carol
Derr, who conceived of, and designed, the Elephant Hotel bird house originally. Mrs. Derr was also a
member of the Somers Historical Society.
Somers Historical Society, founded in 1956, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and retains an
Absolute Charter from the New York State Department of Education as an educational corporation. The
organization is a member of AASLH, the Lower Hudson Conference, the Westchester Arts Council,
Somers Chamber of Commerce and the Circus Historical Society. Corporate members are Billingsley
Realty, DiNardo's Farm Market, Houlihan Lawrence Realty, the Mexican Shack, Putnam County Savings
Bank. Special contributors are Pepsi Bottling Group Foundation, Inc. and Somers Lions Club.
Office hours are M-T, 9:00 am to 4:30pm. Museum hours Thursdays, 2 to 4pm and during special
events in Somers Hamlet. Tours are available and may be made by calling (914) 277-4977, Email
Oldbet@cloud9.net. website address: www.somershistoricalsoc.org.
###
| Westchester's Newest National Historic Landmark - The Elephant Hotel - Becomes Subject of Birdhouse Folk Art |