eneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum

During December, many folks come to the It's a Wonderful Life Festival in Seneca Falls, New York. When summer comes, Seneca Falls is a tourist destination. It is on a canal and in the Finger Lakes region of New York. It is a lovely place with several museums and historical places. One of note is the Women's Rights National Historical Park. There are summer activities galore. Just to name a few….swimming, boating, fishing and there are many vineyards to visit.

And then in 2010, one of my dreams came to fruition. My wonderful friends in Seneca Falls started an idea. Why not create a Seneca Falls It's a Wonderful Life Museum? It was our theory if you make it happen…they will come. Through donations hard work and lots of love, the museum has become a reality.

The Seneca Falls It's a Wonderful Life Museum was opened on December 10, 2010. The Museum is located in a portion of what was the first movie theater in town, the Seneca Theater. The theater was built in 1913 by Charles Fornesi, the first Italian to immigrate to Seneca Falls.

Photographs and memorabilia from my collection are on display together with items from other private collections. The Museum's exhibit also includes quotes from Frank Capra that focus on his philosophy of the value of each individual together with stills of scenes from the film.

The Museum illustrates why local residents have long believed that Seneca Falls was the inspiration for Bedford Falls, including information on Antonio Varacalli, whose true story might well be the inspiration for several important scenes in the film.