Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Arts & Culture

Location

414 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA

Lat/Long

42.380473, -76.873318

Grant Recipient

Schuyler County Historical Society

George Freer (1809-1878), Judge of Schuyler County, built several businesses in Watkins Glen. Once such business, Freer’s Opera House, opened to the public on December 5, 1860 with a large ball. The venue soon became the social center of the town for many decades, hosting dances, plays, conventions, sporting events, films, graduations, entertainment, and lectures. Conventions of the New York State Freethinkers Association were twice held at this site. Noted suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt spoke to crowded meetings held in favor of women’s right to vote in 1894 and 1915, respectively.

As of 2021, the building was home to an Italian restaurant.