08/24/2026
ELIOT NESS DAY FOLLOWUP
We are sorry for the universal disappointment by all in our cancellation of the long planned 100th Anniversary Eliot Ness Day celebration Saturday, due to severe weather forecasts that were predominant at the time such a decision had to be made.
We know it is disappointing.
To all of us. Not only to all planning to attend, but also to the many, many folks, volunteers, partners, teammates and organizations who tirelessly worked so hard over the last year planning and preparing for the event.
To all of whom we are grateful. To everyone, we thank you all for that.
Given the severity and high likelihood of many weather forecasts at the time this decision had to be made, forecasts of numerous severe thuderstorms throughout the day, with high winds, heavy rains and likely lightning risks etc, it was decided those circumstances posed an unacceptable safety risk for this largely outdoor event.
Particularly given the large crowd that was anticipated. That would be concentrated in the very center of town.
Where it would be difficult for many folks to quickly seek and find suitable and sufficient indoor publicly available shelter. Especially given Coudersport's relatively unique limited capacity of available open commercial establishments in the very center of town. In part, because two thirds of the very heart of town, the center of where the celebration and crowd would be, have now for years been closed due to fires. And therefore, these and the largest building unavailable for quick shelter.
With most attendees' vehicles parked too far away to be of quick help.
There simply isn't enough capacity in downtown Coudersport to swiftly shelter a crowd of the size that was expected, if all those severe storm systems came through, as was still being predicted even early Saturday morning.
These circumstances were also coupled with the fact that these forecasts, so close to the approaching event, had already irreversibly impacted the event. Because these decisions were also being and had to be made, by many others also watching these forecasts, who had been either planning to come or participate.
As we all now know, Eliot Ness Day, Saturday, turned out to be a picture-perfect day to hold a 100th Anniversary Eliot Ness Day Celebration. At least until the storms ultimately did hit that evening.
The Eliot Ness Museum did stay open that day. And, in fact, still ended up being swamped with welcome kind generous guests who came. Making new friends and reuniting with old. Many spectacularly dressed the part.
We thank you all for coming. And we thank our tireless talented generous volunteer host team that day. Unfortunately, because we were all so busy, we barely thought to capture any images that day!
But herewith we share a precious few. Including a look at the Museum's Guest Book entries afterward, to give you a sense of how many still came. Bear in mind, many line entries are one person signing for others as well.
We invite others who captured images at the museum that day to share them if you wish.
Going forward, know we are considering and evaluating possibly rescheduling the event. As many have asked. Or perhaps something else similar and fitting. Many suggestions and ideas have come in.
Understanding, of course, weather always is a major factor that can affect any such plans or events. Also keep in mind, all the other aforesaid factors would also still be at play in planning and holding a rescheduled event.
In the meantime, we all thank all of you, for your gracious kind neverending support of the Eliot Ness Museum, our many partners, volunteers and teammates, and of Coudersport.
Finally, we herewith share with you, the kind gracious letter from ATF Director Robert Cekada, that would have been presented to our community at the Eliot Ness Museum on Eliot Ness Day.
Director Cekada's letter, for which we forever will be grateful and cherish, eloquently speaks for itself.
Director Cekada's letter now forever belongs to our community.
