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Finger Lakes

It's A Wonderful Life Museum

Phone: (315) 568-5838

The Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum was opened on December 10, 2010. The Museum is located in a portion of what was the first movie theater in town, the Seneca Theater. The theater was built in 1913 by Charles Fornesi, the first Italian to immigrate to Seneca Falls. Photographs and memorabilia from the collection of Karolyn Grimes, who played “Zuzu” in the film, are on display together with items from other private collections. Come see rare artifacts such as a call sheet and the Academy Awards program from the year the film was nominated. The Museum’s exhibit also includes quotes from Frank Capra that focus on his philosophy of the value of each individual together with stills of scenes from the film. The Museum illustrates why local residents have long believed that Seneca Falls was the inspiration for Bedford Falls, including information on Antonio Varacalli, whose true story might well be the inspiration for several important scenes in the film.