HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR 



The New York State Fair was established by the New York State Agri- 

 cultural Society, which was organized as a result of a convention held in 

 Albany, February, 1832. The object of this society was to distribute informa- 

 tion among the farmers of the state and to promote and encourage enlightened 

 agriculture. 



The first officers were: James LeRay De Chaumont, of Jefferson County, 

 president; E. P. Livingston, Ambrose Spencer, Jacob Morris, Robert S. Rose, 

 vice-presidents; P. S. Van Rensselaer, recording secretary; Jesse Buell, cor- 

 responding secretary; and Charles R. Webster, treasurer. A committee was 

 appointed for each county, according to the number of assemblymen thereof. 

 Resolutions were adopted favoring an agricultural school and an annual fair. 

 The society contemplated a periodical publication devoted to the improvement 

 of the rural arts. A law incorporating the society was passed April 2G, 1832, 

 authorizing its existence for twenty years and permitting it to hold real 

 estate to the extent of $25,000, the object, as stated in- the act, being to 

 improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture and the household arts. 

 Meetings were held annually but, through want of legislative patronage 

 and encouragement, the result was not what w.as hoped for. There was 

 insufficient public interest to justify the holding of a fair, but much informa- 

 tion of value to the farmers was distributed and in 1834 the societj'- estab- 

 lished a periodical, The Cultivator. 



In 1841, public opinion seemed to favor a fair, and February 10 of that 

 year at Albany it was decided to hold an annual exposition. Each member 

 was assessed $1 per year. The officers then elected Avere: Joel B. Nott, 

 Albany, president; Jeremiah Johnson, Kings, Robert Denniston, Orange, 

 Caleb N. Bennett, Albany, Edward C. Delavan, Saratoga, Benjamin P. 

 Johnson, Oneida, Lewis A. Morrell, Tompkins, Willis Gaylord, Onondaga, 

 Ti C. Peters, Genesee, vice-presidents. The legislature was asked to help and. 

 May 5, appropriated $8,000 a year for five years, to be distributed among the 

 counties, $700 of which was to go annually to the agricultural society. The 

 law required that each Avinner of a premium should furnish a written 

 description of the process of preparing the soil, etc., to accomplish the result 

 he had obtained. 



The first fair was held in Syracuse, September 29 and 30 of that year. 

 The premiums were small. There were nine classes of cattle, the prizes in 

 each running from $23 to $40; two classes of horses, with $40 in prizes in 

 each; two of swine, with $23 in prizes in each; eight classes of implements; 

 one of butter, prizes $G0; one of cheese, etc. Later three special premiums 

 were offered by individuals. The fair was held in and near the old court 

 house, which used to stand in North Salina Street between Clinton Square 

 and the present West Shore Station. The grounds were not enclosed. The 

 pens were in a grove and the implements and produce were exhibited in the 

 court house, which was inadequate for the purpose. The fair was attended 

 by from 10,000 to 15,000 people, from nearly every county and from several 

 states. Twenty-five cars of exhibits, etc. came from Albanj' and the Hudson 

 River counties. There were some women exhibitors. The fair was considered 

 a success in spite of unfavorable weather. The balance sheet showed $2,056.87 



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