From the Somers Historical Society Archive: A descendant of an early 19th century menagerie owner shares a family legend about the elephant Old Bet.

This story has been condensed and edited from a longer interview.

Elephant in the Basement

The Sound and Story Project, a non-profit organization, builds community memory and sense of place by recording and sharing our stories and regional sounds. We record oral histories of everyday people for radio programs, cell phone tours, web presentations and podcasts. Each person's unique voice is like a thread woven together into a tapestry of stories reflecting the diversity and rich heritage of the Hudson River Valley.

Our stories come from many places. Some are in library and museum oral history collections. Some come from recordings we have made. Some have been found by people like you in shoe boxes in the backs of closets. And some have yet to be told. Share with us your story or favorite sound of the Hudson Valley.

The Sound and Story Project of the Hudson Valley is a program of the World Sound Foundation, a tax exempt non-profit organization.

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The Sound and Story Project of the Hudson Valley
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Stone Ridge, NY 12484