“MAMA BEAR”
- Program
- Subject
- Location
- Lat/Long
- Grant Recipient
-
NYS Historic
-
Building, Site
- 7178 Main St, Ovid, NY 14521, USA
- 42.676709740327, -76.822603093951
-
The Three Bears
“MAMA BEAR”
Inscription
“MAMA BEAR”BUILT 1860-1861 TO REPLACE
“BABY BEAR” AS THE COUNTY
CLERK’S OFFICE. HOUSED
THE OVID FREE LIBRARY
FROM 1906-1962.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024
Take one look at it, and the name of the Seneca County Courthouse complex at Ovid immediately makes sense. What better way to describe the three buildings sitting amidst the village than “The Three Bears”? One small, one medium, one large; all similar, yet distinct. The name fits perfectly.
And as of 2024, all three have received historical markers commemorating their significance to the Ovid Community.
“Mama Bear” joins that trio of markers funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation celebrating these unique buildings, which includes “Baby Bear,” or the first clerk’s office and meeting place of the Grand Army of the Republic, and “Papa Bear,” or the courthouse.
“Mama Bear” is the most recent addition to the complex. The other two were both constructed in 1845, while “Mama Bear” was built in 1860, when “Baby Bear”, which had served as the County Clerk’s office to that point, became too small and “Mama Bear” was added to replace it as the new Clerk’s office. Although built fifteen years later, the new building retained the neoclassical revival style of the other two buildings.
From 1906 to 1962, “Mama Bear,” would serve as the Ovid Free Library; a rather fitting role, given its fairy tale derived nickname.
Currently, as of 2024, “Mama Bear” houses the Seneca County tourist center. A detailed history of the building and the rest of the historic complex, along with information about upcoming events and tours, can be found by visiting: