Celebration On Glimmerglass’ Shores
Opens Bunny Hamilton Amphitheatre
COOPERSTOWN – With a laugh-eliciting comment, “this could be dangerous,” benefactress Mrs. Lewis L. “Bunny” Hamilton cut the ribbon this evening on a lake-side amphitheatre named in her honor at “Otsego: A Meeting Place,” the Native-American-themed exhibit behind The Fenimore Art Museum.
She used a pair of shears crafted especially for the occasion in The Farmers’ Museum blacksmith shop. NYSHA President Paul D’Ambrosio presented the shears to Mrs. Hamilton as a memento of her participation in the project.
A hundred well-wishing guests gathered on a slope leading down to Otsego Lake for the occasion. After the ceremony, Perry Ground, a traditional story teller from the Onondaga Turtle Clan, recounted a traditional story about “Turtle Island – which you know,” he told the audience, “as Earth.”
In his introductory remarks, D’Ambrosio recounted how Mrs. Hamilton, in 15 years on the NYSHA board, had been an “early and consistent advocate” of “Otsego: A Meeting Place.” Contemplating leaving the board, she told him of her interest in one final project: The amphitheatre dedicated today.
In the months that followed, the benefactress helped solicit contributions from 175 donors. The original plan was to raise $175,000 for a 75-seat amphitheatre. But her energies helped raise $250,000 for the 125-seat facility unveiled today.
Saturday, the Iroquois Culture Festival will feature several performances in the new arena.
