Somers Historical Society to Premiere New 'Old Bet' Film

SOMERS, N.Y. - The Somers Historical Society will premiere its new video on the rehabilitation of the Old Bet monument at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, N.Y.

This is the companion piece to its video documenting the creation of the new bronze elephant sculpture that sits atop a marble obelisk in front of the town’s offices.

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It was made by local artisan Luigi Badia.

The previous version, made of concrete, was badly deteriorated and had to be replaced.

Old Bet, the town’s beloved icon, is a tribute to the star of a traveling menagerie owned by local farmer, Hachaliah Bailey. In 1827, after Old Bet was shot dead while on tour in Maine, he erected the obelisk, capped it with ornate iron scrollwork, and topped it with a gilded, carved pachyderm.

The new version was dedicated last April, on World Circus Day, to great fanfare.

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The project was funded by the Wittmann family in memory of Joseph and Barbara Wittman, both members of the Somers Historical Society.

Both videos were produced by society member Jeff Zimmerman. The most recent shows, in great detail, exactly how the National Historic Landmark was taken apart and rebuilt.

After the premiere, the video will be available to watch on the local cable TV station, Channel 20, and also the society’s YouTube channel and Vimeo. It may also be posted on the town’s website.

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