Advertisement. Advertise with us

Cooperstown Historian Traces Roots 

Of Mystery Novel To Cooper Daughter

Cooperstown Village Historian Hugh MacDougall fields a question from the Friends of the Library's Hilda Wilcox this afternoon after delivering a paper on "Elinor Wyllys," a little known novel by Susan Fenimore Cooper, daughter of James Fenimore Cooper.  The courtroom scene in "Elinor," and her father's  1850 mystery novel, "The Ways of the Hour," were early example of what continues as a popular genre today.  (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)
Cooperstown Village Historian Hugh MacDougall fields a question from the Friends of the Library’s Hilda Wilcox this afternoon after delivering a paper on “Elinor Wyllys,” a little known 1845 novel by Susan Fenimore Cooper, daughter of James Fenimore Cooper. The courtroom scene in “Elinor,” and her father’s 1850 mystery novel, “The Ways of the Hour,” were early examples of what continues to be a popular genre today, said MacDougall, an expert on the Cooperstown family of writers and a founder of the James Fenimore Cooper Society. (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)

 

Posted

Related Articles

Fenimore Farm Stone Barn Featured in New Book

Written by Dr. Robert Kroeger, this text is the first of a two-volume series exploring the expansive history behind notable stone barns across the United States. Featuring barns and historical accounts from more than 20 states, “Stone Barns of America” is a passion project of epic proportions.…
October 2, 2025

Trustees Discuss Chronicle Update, Parks

The village has been working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to redirect the funding originally intended for a viewing platform at Lakefront Park to a project at Fairy Spring Park.…
June 12, 2025

Time Out Otsego: 05-01-25

LECTURE—7 p.m. “Susan Fenimore Cooper’s Youth in Europe: The Making of Environmental Understanding.” Presented online by professor Rochelle L. Johnson. Suggested donation appreciated. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1400 or https://www.facebook.com/events/618386863896548…
April 30, 2025

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY BACK INTO THE NEWSPAPER

For a limited time, new annual subscriptions to the hard copy of “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta” (which also includes unlimited access to AllOtsego.com), or digital-only access to AllOtsego.com, can also give back to one of their favorite Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice: Friends of the Feral-TNR, Super Heroes Humane Society, or Susquehanna Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Visit our “subscribe” page and select your charity of choice at checkout