Somers Celebrates Circus Day, Unveils New 'Old Bet' Statue

SOMERS, N.Y. - This past World Circus Day was a monumental one for Somers, both figuratively and literally.

Dozens of folks gathered excitedly on the lawn of The Elephant Hotel on Saturday, April 20, to witness the dedication of the town’s most iconic landmark, a magnificent bronze statue of Old Bet, an Indian pachyderm and the star of 19th-century farmer turned showman Hachaliah Bailey’s traveling menagerie.

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The day had started out somewhat drearily, but just moments before the festivities were to get under way, the clouds kindly cleared out.

It was a sign, thought De Wittmann, that her late mother not only approved of the new monument but was sending some sunshine along to brighten the ceremony.

Longtime Somers Historical Society member Barbara Wittmann got the ball rolling back in 2019 when she offered to help fund the project.

The concrete version of Old Bet dated back to the 1930s, and 90 years of weathering had created dangerous cracks and fissures in her legs.

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According to Grace Zimmermann, co-chair of the Old Bet Committee, things had to be put on hold during the pandemic.

Planning resumed full force in 2021. Local sculptor Luigi Badia was recruited to create the bronze beast. The town rounded up its engineers and construction crews to do the heavy lifting, and well, the rest is history.

Of great importance – besides ensuring that the new iteration was safely supported on its wrought-iron scrollwork and 15-foot-high granite obelisk – was that the monument retained its status as a National Historic Landmark, Zimmermann said.

“This is my mom talking to me from heaven. She’s so happy. And now that the sun is out, she’s smiling down on us. It means the world to me,” her daughter said.

County Legislator Erika Pierce presented both the Wittmann family and the Somers Historical Society with proclamations highlighting the story behind the town’s being considered the “cradle of the American circus.”

“The history of the circus in America and the history of the town of Somers are interconnected,” she said before declaring April 28 “Old Bet Day” in Westchester County. The elephant’s image will be displayed on the – appropriately named – “jumbotron” outside the County Center in White Plains, Pierce added.

It was the perfect family outing, said parents as they shepherded their kiddos from activities such as sculpting, coloring, or crafting their own tiny versions of Old Bet to watching videos of the reconstruction project and the statue’s creation at the foundry.

Goodies on hand included home-baked elephant-shaped cookies and colorful packets of animal crackers. Free day passes to Rye Playland for children from ages three to 12 were handed out. The grownups got neat stickers and “Playbill” style programs to take home as souvenirs. Somers Girl Scouts led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Providing his own unique version of the “National Anthem” via harmonica was Howlin’ Marty of the “Sons of Hachaliah Bailey” musical duo.

Jonathon Benjamin, farm director of Muscoot Farm, played the ring master, introducing the speakers while rocking a bright red top hat.

The Elephant Hotel and Old Bet stand as “enduring symbols” of the legacy of the circus which, once upon a time, captivated audiences with “awe-inspiring performances and larger-than-life characters,” he said.

“Today we pay homage to these icons and the role they played in shaping the cultural fabric of the community and beyond,” Benjamin added, noting that the gathering held “an even greater significance.”

Namely, the unveiling of the town’s latest “edition” of its homage to Old Bet.

The statue “stands as a testament to her enduring spirit and the mark she left on the world of the circus,” he said.

Town historian Doris Jane Smith read “The Prayer of the Elephant,” a poem written by Carmen Bernos de Gasztod.

“Dear God,/ it is I, the elephant,/ Your creature,/ who is talking to You./ I am so embarrassed by my great self/ and truly it is not my fault/ if I spoil Your jungle a little with my big feet./ Let me be careful and behave wisely,/ always keeping my dignity and poise. Give me such hilosophic thoughts/ that I can rejoice everywhere I go/in the lovable oddity of things.”

Later in the program Smith thanked researcher extraordinaire Nancy Gerbino for her help in sussing out certain salient facts that put the project in perspective.

Everyone’s familiar with Hachaliah and Old Bet, but there’s a very important person whose name remains unknown to this day – the very man who helped raise and train Old Bet.

When Bailey purchased the elephant, which he originally intended to use as a plow animal at his farm, he also bought a human being, Old Bet’s trainer.

The Bengalese man had named her “Betta,” a Hindi term of endearment meaning “little sister.”

“He was with her for 16 years on this Earth and yet his name is unknown,” Smith marveled.

Noting that it took a coordinated effort from many corners of the community, Zimmermann declared that Old Bet is once again “in her rightful place.”

“It’s a work of art, the soul of our community, and the result of tireless efforts of our team of artisans, contractors, engineers, and volunteers committed to historic preservation.”

Town Supervisor Rob Scorrano echoed that sentiment.

Thanking the Whittmanns for “their generous donation,” he gave shouts outs to Badia, the Historical Society, master blacksmith William Fitzgerald, the town’s engineering consultant Steve Robbins, the construction crew, the town’s highway department and parks and recreation department, and others.

“Their combined efforts have undoubtedly paved the way for this project’s success,” he said.

Calling the new statue “stunning,” Scorrano said it was a “symbol of our commitment to inspiring and educating future generations.

“Old Bet’s legacy is what defines our town. She is a source of pride when you drive through the town center, symbolizing resilience, courage, and the enduring bond between neighbors and fellow Tuskers. Old Bet is the glue that binds our town’s commonality,” he said, expressing the hope that the statue will serve as a “constant reminder” of the town’s heritage and that future generations would look at it “with pride” because they understand “the deep significance it holds for our town and the values it represents.

“Old Bet is the glue that binds our town’s commonality,” Scorrano concluded.

Bruce E. Hawley, a distant cousin of P.T. Barnum and president of the Circus Historical Society, an international organization whose mission is the preservation of circus history, was the last to speak.

“I wanted to be here to congratulate you, the citizens of this town, the Somers Historical Society, and the Wittmann family, and everyone else who has done so much work to preserve this important part of circus history. On behalf of the Circus Historical Society, congratulations,” he said.

Then the big moment came.

Wittmann, Badia, and Scorrano positioned themselves at the ropes and, after a crowd countdown of five, four, three, two, one, each gave a slight tug and the blue tarp that had been secreting the new Old Bet simply fluttered away into the blue spring sky.

The crowd, as they say, went wild.

Scorrano and a pod of children then placed the traditional peanut wreath at the base of the monument.

Meanwhile, perched atop the front steps of The Elephant Hotel, master storyteller Jonathan Kruk enthralled the crowd with his portrayal of Hachaliah Bailey by relating Old Bet’s story with theatrical gestures and appropriate trumpeting and other elephantine sound effects.

The circus is, after all, meant for “children of all ages.”

Said mom of three Margaret Cordner of the new monument: “It’s incredible, just beautiful. I love the historical significance of it and that it brings the town together.”

Their dad, David Schafer, was in total agreement.

“I think it’s just magnificent. I love the fact that the town values its history so much that it would make the effort to replace the statue. They did a great job. I think it’s a terrific symbol of the town. It’s great to be here on this day and to think that it will be here for such a long time,” he said.

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