Is Seneca Falls the real Bedford Falls?

It’s a Wonderful Life in this CNY Village

by Sandra Scott

Was Seneca Falls the historical model for the village of Bedford Falls made famous in the classic holiday movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life?”  The people of Seneca Falls think it was.  It is known that the director, Frank Capra, who had an aunt in nearby Auburn, visited Seneca Falls and a local barber recalled that around the time the film was in production he cut the hair of a man who introduced himself as Frank Capra. The small mill town setting of Bedford Falls is similar to Seneca Falls and many of the names used in the movie are names familiar to the village and local area. When discussing the film locals point to the bridge remarking on the similarity of their bridge to the one in the film.  The Seneca Falls bridge not only looks like the one it the film it has a compelling story of its own.  A plaque on the bridge, which many feel Capra read during his visit, relates that on April 12, 1917, Antonio Varacalli lost his life when he jumped into the icy Seneca River to save a lady who was trying to commit suicide.

Even if Seneca Falls was not the inspiration for the movie’s setting, the town folks are running with the idea. The village’s yearly It’s a Wonderful Life Festival will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the film.  Karolyn Grimes, who played ZuZu, George Bailey’s daughter, has been featured at the celebration for several years and this year she will be joined by Carol Coombs-Mueller who played Janie, her older sister. Part of the celebration is the ringing of the bells which according to wingless Clarence Oddbody, Angel Second Class, who was trying to earn his wings, “Every time you hear a bell ring, it means that some angel just got their wings.”  A recently remodeled hotel on Fall Street has been rebranded The Clarence, where the movie’s theme permeates many aspects of the hotel. Visitors can pick up a “It’s a Wonderful Life” Walking Tour that points to places thought to have been the inspiration for people and events in the movie.

It is fitting that the new It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, dedicated to the 1949 movie, is housed in the village’s first movie theater. The small museum has a variety of memorabilia from the movie, much of which was donated by little ZuZu, Karolyn Grimes. The central theme of the movie stressed the importance of each individual emphasizing that no matter how apparently insignificant the individual may feel everyone has the power to make a difference, and the important things in life are not fame or money, but with how we live our life. Capra is reported as saying, “No man is poor who has one friend. Three friends and you are filthy rich…”

The It’s a Wonderful Life Museum shares the building with IDEA, an acronym for Integration of Dignity and Economic Advancement, dedicated to overcoming the stigma of leprosy. While it may seem, at first, an unlikely combination they both promote the value of the individual. IDEA’s mission is to “promote the human rights and dignity of all human beings around the world, with a focus on individuals affected by leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, to ensure that they live rewarding lives, as fully participating members of their community.”

Before the classic film, Seneca Falls played an important role in the women’s rights movement which also focused on the importance of each individual of society. The Women’s Rights National Historical Park has preserved several locations associated with the 1848 First Women’s Rights Convention which took place in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel with more than three hundred in attendance. Adjacent to the chapel is the NP’s Visitor Center with the “First Wave,” statues of those who were among the first to promote women’s rights. 

The main representations are Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who spearheaded the call for the convention and wrote the first draft of the “Declaration of Sentiments,” and Frederick Douglass who was a former slave, abolitionist lecturer, and publisher of the North Star, an antislavery newspaper. The Visitor’s Center has an excellent video that explores the concept of equality. Located just down the street from the National Park Visitor Center is the National Women’s Hall of Fame that honors great American women from all walks of life who have contributed significantly to the fabric of American life and society. 

The village of Seneca Falls has several other attractions. It owes its existence to the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Today it is a recreational area with docking facilities for boaters.  Those without a boat can enjoy a trip along the canal on Mid-Lakes Navigation Company’s Emita II locking through to the Erie Canal. The importance of the waterway can be found at the Museum of Waterways and Industry that explores the impact of the waterways and industry on the area.  There are hands-on exhibits to help children experience an earlier time without today’s machines.

The Seneca Falls Historical Society Museum, housed in a 23-room 1880 Queen Anne mansion is a step into the Victorian era when the mills and factories where the main source of employment for the residents. The house has much of the original fixtures and furnishings along with extensive lawns, a Seth Thomas clock poised atop a small clock tower, and an outbuilding called the Beehive.

Visitors can follow the Frank J. Ludovico Sculpture Trail along the canal. Just a short distance from the village is the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge with bald eagles and ospreys, and the Finger Lakes Wine Trails making Seneca Falls the perfect location from which to visit the more than 70 wineries located in the Finger Lakes Region. Seneca Falls is a village with plenty to offer visitors year round. The iconic place to stay is The Clarence right on Fall Street and easy walking distance to all the attractions.  Ask for a free walking brochure.  For more information check senecafalls.com, idealeprosydignity.org, senecamuseum.co, greatwomen.org, nps.gov, and therealbedfordfalls.com.