Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown
Village
Main Street in Cooperstown Main Street in Cooperstown
Location in Otsego County and the state of New York. Location in Otsego County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 42°42′0″N 74°55′0″W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Otsego
Founded	1786
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,852
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)

Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, United States. It is the county seat of Otsego County and is best known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The village is named after William Cooper, who founded the village in 1786. Cooperstown is located at the southern tip of Otsego Lake, which is sometimes referred to as "Glimmerglass" in the works of James Fenimore Cooper, William Cooper's son.

History

Cooperstown was established in 1786 by William Cooper, a judge and land speculator. The village was incorporated in 1807. It became a cultural and economic center in the region, largely due to its location on Otsego Lake and its proximity to the Susquehanna River.

The village is historically significant for its association with the Cooper family, particularly James Fenimore Cooper, who was a prominent American writer. His works, such as "The Last of the Mohicans", often featured the area around Cooperstown.

Geography

Cooperstown is situated at the southern end of Otsego Lake, which is approximately 9 miles long and 1 mile wide. The village covers a total area of 1.6 square miles, all of which is land. The surrounding area is characterized by rolling hills and lush forests, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities.

Economy

The economy of Cooperstown is largely driven by tourism, with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum being a major attraction. Other attractions include the Fenimore Art Museum, the Farmers' Museum, and the Glimmerglass Opera. The village also hosts a number of annual events, such as the Cooperstown Winter Carnival and the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.

Education

Cooperstown is served by the Cooperstown Central School District, which includes an elementary school and a junior-senior high school. The village is also home to the Bassett Medical Center, a teaching hospital affiliated with the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Culture

Cooperstown has a rich cultural scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and performing arts venues. The Glimmerglass Festival is a renowned summer opera festival held at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, located just outside the village.

Also see

• National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
• James Fenimore Cooper
• Otsego Lake (New York)
• Fenimore Art Museum
• Farmers' Museum