Open 1-4PM, 1st & 3rd Saturday of Every Month
Collections
Curated collections from the past; People, Events, and Businesses.
BETHEL'S
People of History
1st Mayor of Bethel, Jesse Grant
President Ulysses S. Grant's
father Jesse Grant was the 1st mayer of Bethel. Artifacts
include the hollowed log
serving as plumbing in
Jesse Grant's Tannery and a tannery grinding wheel.
Founded in 1815 by Obed Denham
Bethel was founded in 1815, named Denhamstown,
by Obed Denham, a preacher. Artifacts include Preacher Denham's Bible and his wife's wedding gown.
Edmond G. Burke
A Bethel native, Edmond Burke made his fortune investing in
New York real estate.
Burke (1877-1966) left a $500,000 endowment to Bethel for Burke park, the historic Old Cemetery upkeep, and a Bethel-Tate community scholarship fund.
Dr. William E. Thompson
Dr. William Eberle Thompson, born in 1835 was still practicing medicine in Bethel at 100 years old. Artifacts include his medicine bag, saddlebags he used when he traveled by horse for house calls, and many of his instruments.