The Curious Case of Moody Peabody Great Fire of Utica, 1837

The presentation centers on the 2017 discovery of a previously unknown painting depicting the 1837 Great Fire of Utica, New York. This historic blaze destroyed the western side of the 100 block of Genesee Street, the heart of its growing business district. The rediscovery of this artwork prompted an investigation into its origin and the figures associated with it. This program follows the trail of Moody Peabody and his family of printers, detailing their involvement in illegal activities. What began as a look into Utica's "urban renewal" through fire evolved into a scandalous revelation involving a family of printers and illegal activities that crossed international borders. Patrick Reynolds, a graduate of the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Museum Studies, has served as the History Center's Director of Public Programs since 2021. His research sheds new light on a largely unknown series of events in Utica’s history.