Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz
Matthew Urtz

Lots of great historic events and festivals leading into fall. Be sure to check out the upcoming “History Where you Eat” events upcoming, as well. We hope to see you there!

From Aug. 1st through Aug. 30th the Oneida County History Center will host its 3rd annual “Selfie Scavenger Hunt.” Grab your camera and learn about the people, places and events that shaped Oneida County. Embark on a county or city-wide Scavenger Hunt and document your journey with a photo or selfie. Follow the clues to historical sites, monuments and markers around the greater Mohawk Valley and share your adventure by posting your photos and tagging the Oneida County History Center. The first five individuals to complete a hunt will receive a Oneida County History Center membership, a special prize and a fun gift. All entries will be entered to win the grand prize gift basket. Children under 18 will receive a participation prize. All entries must be submitted in person at the History Center by Aug. 30th, 2019, at 4 pm. For more information please call Rebecca McLain at 315-735-3642 or email rmclain@oneidacountyhistory.org

On Thursday Aug. 1th at 7 pm the Skanonh Great Law of Peace Center in Liverpool will host a gallery opening of a new exhibit entitled “Tonto Revisited: Native American Stereotypes” For generations portrayals of Native Americans has been one of menacing warriors wielding tomahawks, knives and bows and arrows. Tom Huff’s collection of stereotypical “Indian Kitch” will be on display in one exhibit to help dispel the myths surrounding Native Americans and encourage a new understanding of Indigenous peoples. Admission is $5. For more information please visit cnyhistory.org or call 315-428-1864. 

On Friday Aug. 2nd at 5:30 pm the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society will open their Heritage Park Concert Series with a special concert featuring Swingin’ A Miss. Food TBD followed by the concert featuring Swingin’ A Miss at 6:30. This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NY State Council on the Arts.

On Saturday Aug. 3rd the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark will host the 10th annual Emancipation Day. The morning events will include the commemoration and history of the Emancipation Days held in Peterboro Generations ago, as well as wreath laying on graves marked “Born a slave. Died a free (wo)man.” At the Peterboro Cemetery. The afternoon will celebrate three women of color connected to the estate: The Three Harriet’s: Powell, Russell, and Tubman. At 1 pm Norm Dann and Dot Wilsey present Harriet Powell: Escapee from Slavery on the Underground Railroad. At 2 pm Town of Smithfield Historian Donna Burdick will presentHarriet Russell: Slave to Matriarch. Finally at 3 pm Kate Clifford Larson, PhD, author of Bound for Promised Land will present Harriet Tubman: Relaxing in Peterboro. For more information please call at 315-280-8828 or email nahofm1835@gmail.com.

On Saturday Aug. 3rd at 10 am the Chittenango Landing Museum will host a special “Strikeout Cancer” Vintage Baseball Game as well as antique tractor show. From 10 am to 4 pm the antique tractor show will be open. The museum partnered with the CNY Antique Tractor Club to display often overlooked pieces of history. During the day there will be live blacksmiths shoe and the museum grounds will be open. From 1 pm to 4 pm at Recognition Park a vintage 1860’s baseball game between the Bouckville Summits and the Chittenango & Rough and Readies will be played. The game will be played with the same rules and equipment and rules from baseball’s earliest days. Food will be provided by the Rotary Chuck Wagon. Raffle Prizes provided by the Syracuse Mets. A shuttle will be available to take people from the tractor show to the baseball game. Proceeds from the show and baseball game will benefit the Patrick Wiese Foundation and the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum Education program. Admission is $5 per person or $20 for a family. Children under 5 get in for free. 

On Sunday Aug. 4th at 2:30 pm Town of Smithfield Historian Donna Burdick will host a ceremony for the installation of a burial marker for Emily Russell Hill. Hill was the child of Samuel and Harriet Sims Russell. The couple and their five children’s (including Emily) were freed at a cost of $3500 through of the efforts of Gerrit Smith and his wife Ann Carroll Fitzhugh of Peterboro. Emily was the only child who left central New York and hers is the last burial site of the 8 family members to receive a marker. Festivities will include a musical tribute by Max Smith, and honored guest Carol Waverly-Shank, the great-great grand-daughter of Emily Russell Hill. For more information please call Donna Burdick at 607-775-3103.

On Monday Aug. 5th at 7 pm the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society will host a special presentation entitled “Heroism at D-Day during the Normandy Invasion.” Frank Stritter will lead the presentation. Stritter has researched and presented on many aspects of WWII locally. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society Facebook page.

On Monday Aug. 5th at 7 pm the Fabius Historical Society will host a special presentation by author John Taibi. Taibi will tell the story of his father’s return home after being a POW during WWII. There is no charge for this event. Light refreshments will be served following the program. For more information please call Sandra Beglinger at 315-683-5878. 

On Tuesday Aug. 6th from 3 pm to 7 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host their weekly farmers market. Come, shop and support local vendors selling fruits, vegetables and more. There will be storytelling every week from the Friends of the Oneida Library as well as special themed weeks. For more information please visit mchs1900.org or call 315-363-4136.

On Friday Aug. 7th at 6:30 pm the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society will open their Heritage Park Concert Series with a special concert featuring the Community Band. This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NY State Council on the Arts.

On Saturday Aug. 10th at 10 am the Madison County Historical Society will host a Leisure Arts Workshop Series on making a Rag Rug. Pamela Vogan Lynch will lead the workshop which will focus on making rag rugs, a handmade craft in the 19th century using strips of cloth and scraps that would be lopped through a woven canvas or burlap or braided into strips and sewn together to create the rug. The cost is $30 and space is limited to 25 participants so registration is required. Participants must be at least 13 years of age. To register for the workshop or for more information please call 315-363-4136 or email history@mchs1900.org

On Sunday Aug. 11th from 1 pm to 3 pm the Clay Historical Association will host their an open house at the Clay Historical Park. Come and tour the historic buildings on the ground. For more information please call Cindy at 315-927-7537 or visit the Clay Historical Association website or Facebook page. 

On Tuesday Aug. 13th at 5 pm the next “History Where You Eat” will be held at the Colgate Inn in Hamilton. Madison County historian Matthew Urtz and Village of Hamilton Joan Prindle will give a brief history of the inn followed by a tour from staff of the inn that will take you into places that you have probably never seen inside one of Madison County’s most storied inns. The tour is limited to 40 people so reserve your spot quickly because this tour is sure to fill up. For more information or to reserve your spot please call 315-824-2300. 

On Tuesday Aug. 13th from 2:30 pm to 3:45 pm the Onondaga County Courthouse will host a special VIP book signing and talk with authors Dan Abrams and David Fisher at 317 Montgomery Street. Abrams and Fisher will discuss their newest best-selling book, Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense: The Courtroom Battle to Save his Legacy. Tickets to this event are $70. For tickets or more information please visit this link or contact Jon Zella, OHA Director of Development at 315-428-1864, ext. 315 or email jon.zella@cnyhistory.org

On Tuesday Aug. 13th from 4 pm to 5:30 pm the Onondaga County Courthouse will host a special book signing and talk with authors Dan Abrams and David Fisher. Abrams and Fisher will discuss their newest best-selling book, Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense: The Courtroom Battle to Save his Legacy. Tickets to this event are $20. For tickets or more information please visit this link or contact Jon Zella, OHA Director of Development at 315-428-1864, ext. 315 or emailjon.zella@cnyhistory.org

On Wednesday Aug. 14th from 10 am to 11 am the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host their monthly “Coffee with Friends.” New and current volunteers and community members are encouraged to come in, reconnect and learn about opportunities available at the museum. Artist Bob Reed will present on his newest historical painting showcasing the Russell Street Bridge in 1900. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visitchittenangolanding.com.

On Wednesday Aug. 14th at 7 pm the Erievile/Nelson Heritage Society will host a special presentation about the stories & incidents of Nelson & Erieville at the Nelson Town Hall. Lifelong resident Steve Richards will share stories and incidents of local people, many of whom are related to him. There is no charge for this event. 

On Friday Aug. 16th at 5:30 pm the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society will host their Heritage Park Concert Series with a special concert featuring the Kruisin’ Oldies Band. At 5:30 a pulled pork BBQ will be available for purchase followed by the concert featuring the Kruisin’ Oldies Band at 6:30. This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NY State Council on the Arts.

On Friday Aug. 16th at 9 pm the Chittenango landing Canal Boat Museum will host a special “Astronomy Night.” Join NASA Solar System Ambassador, Jill Gravante, and the Baldiwnsville Astronomy Club in the fields of Chittenango Landing for an intriguing journey through our solar system. See planets, stars and consetllations!. Fun for the whole family. Personal telescopes are encouraged. $5 Entrance Fee. For more information please visit chittenangolanding.com.

On Saturday Aug. 17th the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host a Paranormal Investigation with investigator Kenny Harris. Harris will lead attendees on investigations of the historic landmark. Two investigations will occur, the first from 6 pm to 9 pm and the second from 10 pm to 1 am. Registration is $20. Spots are limited so be sure to register your spot ASAP. To reserve your spot or for more information please visit chittenangolanding.org

On Sunday Aug. 18th at 2 pm Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse will host a special Cemetery Tour called “The Hills are alive…with the stories of Oakwood.” Diane Medvitz will lead this tour which focuses on the people interred in Sections 26, 43, 47, and 53. All tours are rain or shine but will be cancelled for thunder and lightning. There is no charge for the tours but donations are encouraged. Tours start at the entrance near Comstock Avenue. For more information please call 315-684-3418.

On Monday Aug. 19th at 7 pm the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society will host a special presentation on stories from World War I. Tim Stritter will present stories from World War I. For more information please visit the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society Facebook page.

On Tuesday Aug. 20th from 3 pm to 7 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host their weekly farmers market. Come, shop and support local vendors selling fruits, vegetables and more. There will be storytelling every week from the Friends of the Oneida Library as well as special themed weeks. For more information please visit mchs1900.org or call 315-363-4136.

On Friday Aug. 23rd the Lorenzo State Historic Site will host a special “Movie on the Lawn” event. Bring a blanket, lawn chair and don’t forget your sweater and enjoy a special movie on the lawn. Food trucks will be on site starting at 6 pm, and the movie will start at dusk. There is no charge for this event. Stay tuned tofriendsofloreno.org and the Lorenzo Facebook page for further details.

On Tuesday Aug. 27th from 3 pm to 7 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host their weekly farmers market. Come, shop and support local vendors selling fruits, vegetables and more. There will be storytelling every week from the Friends of the Oneida Library as well as special themed weeks. For more information please visit mchs1900.org or call 315-363-4136.

On Tuesday Sept. 3rd from 3 pm to 7 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host their weekly farmers market. Come, shop and support local vendors selling fruits, vegetables and more. There will be storytelling every week from the Friends of the Oneida Library as well as special themed weeks. For more information please visit mchs1900.org or call 315-363-4136.

On Saturday Sept. 8th from 10 am to 5 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host their 55th annual Craft Festival. Come and enjoy one of the longest running juried craft festivals in central New York! A large selection of contemporary arts and crafts, ranging from functional to decorative 2-D and 3-D works including fabric, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, metal, glass, floral, drawings, paintings, jewelry, photography, leather and wood. In addition onsite will be food vendors, entertainment, edible treat artisans, free children’s activities, and a wine tasting. More information to come!

On Sunday Sept. 9th from 10 am to 4 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host their 55th annual Craft Festival. Come and enjoy one of the longest running juried craft festivals in central New York! A large selection of contemporary arts and crafts, ranging from functional to decorative 2-D and 3-D works including fabric, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, metal, glass, floral, drawings, paintings, jewelry, photography, leather and wood. In addition onsite will be food vendors, entertainment, edible treat artisans, free children’s activities, and a wine tasting. More information to come!

On Wednesday Sept. 11th from 10 am to 11 am the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host their monthly “Coffee with Friends.” New and current volunteers and community members are encouraged to come in, reconnect and learn about opportunities available at the museum. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit chittenangolanding.com.

On Wednesday Sept. 11th at 7 PM the Erieville/Nelson Heritage Society will host a special presentation by James Cunningham entitled “Town of Nelson Reservoirs-Past, Present & Future” at the Erieville Fire Station. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call Sonia Davies at 315-655-3298.

On Thursday Sept. 12th at 7 pm the Skanonh Great Law of Peace Center in Liverpool will host a special presentation by Steven Newcomb on the Doctrine of Discovery. Newcomb is a leading Indigenous scholar who has studied and educated about the doctrine of Christian Discovery. He will screen a copy of his film The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code and talk about his studies. For more information please visit cnyhistory.org or call 315-428-1864. 

On Friday Sept. 13th at a time TBD the Madison County Hop Festival will host its annual Paired Beer Dinner at the Hipstir Café in Oneida. Critz Farms will be the featured brewery for the event. For more information please visit https://madisoncountyhopfest.org/paired-beer-dinner

On Friday Sept. 13th at 6:30 pm the Morrisville Public Library will host a special presentation by noted railroad author John Taibi entitled “Eaton Hill & the Pecksport Loop.” Taibi will take attendees on a trip from Morrisville (Station) to Eaton where lies the summit of the grade from Oneida. Then you’ll head to Randallsville on the main line, hop on the Utica Division through Hamilton to Pecksport where you will gain the Pecksport Loop to return to the mainline at Whites Corners, from there you will take the main line back to Morrisville. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-684-9130. 

On Saturday Sept. 14th from 10 am to 5:30 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host its annual hop festival. Come and hear guest speakers, talk to vendors, see special hop displays and the crowning of the Hop King & Queen all for FREE!!! From 12 pm to 2 pm you can purchase tickets to the “Taste of Hops” tent where area restaurants create an appetizer utilizing craft beer as a main ingredient and pair it with a craft beer. Tickets are TBD and come with a complimentary 5 oz. glass. From 2 pm to 5 pm you can purchase tickets to the “Craft Brewery Sampling Tent” tent. Tickets are TBD and come with a complimentary 5 oz. glass. Attendees to the Taste of Hops and Craft Brewery Sampling must be 21 to buy a ticket. For more information please visit https://madisoncountyhopfest.org

On Saturday Sept. 14th the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host a Paranormal Investigation with investigator Kenny Harris. Harris will lead attendees on investigations of the historic landmark. Two investigations will occur, the first from 6 pm to 9 pm and the second from 10 pm to 1 am. Registration is $20. Spots are limited so be sure to register your spot ASAP. To reserve your spot or for more information please visit chittenangolanding.org.

On Sunday Sept. 15th from 1 pm to 3 pm the Lorenzo State Historic Site will host their annual Community Day. The restored Rippleton Schoolhouse will welcome kids of all ages to participate in period games, enjoy live music, fall refreshments, wagon rides, country school activities and more. Admission is free. For more information please visit friendsoflorenzo.org and the Lorenzo Facebook page for further details. 

On Sunday Sept. 15th at 2 pm Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse will host a special Cemetery Tour called “Fallin’ for Oakwood.” Don Leopold will lead this tour which focuses on the trees and plants of Oakwood Cemetery in the fall. All tours are rain or shine but will be cancelled for thunder and lightning. There is no charge for the tours but donations are encouraged. Tours start at the entrance near Comstock Avenue. For more information please call 315-684-3418.

On Monday Sept. 16th at 7 pm the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society will host a special presentation on Native Plants. Dan Segal, owner of the Plantsmen Nursery, will talk about Native Plants and species. For more information please visit the New Woodstock Regional Historical Society Facebook page. 

On Wednesday Sept. 18th at 5 pm the Lincklaen House in Cazenovia will host our next History Where you Eat event. Cazenovia Library Archivist Elisha Davies and Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz will give a brief history of the restaurant & inn followed by a tour that will take you into places that you have probably never seen inside one of Madison County’s longest running restaurants. The tour is limited to 40 people so reserve your spot quickly because this tour is sure to fill up. To reserve your place or for more information please call 315-655-3461.

On Wednesday Sept. 18th at 7 pm the Cazenovia Public Library will host a special presentation entitled “Heroism at Pearl Harbor.” Frank Stritter will lead the presentation. Stritter has researched and presented on many aspects of WWII locally. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit thecazenoviapubliclibrary.org or call 315-655-9322.

On Saturday Sept. 21st the Smithfield Community Center will host a special series of talks as part of its 2020 Centennial of Women’s Suffrage. Presentations by Denise Delucia of the Women’s Rights National Historic Park and Norm Dann will present on Elizabeth Smith Miller, Ann Carroll Fitzhugh Smith and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. More information to come. 

On Saturday Sept. 21st from 11 am to 3 pm the Clay Historical Association will host their annual Fall Festival at Clay Historical Park. Come and tour the historic buildings on the ground or enjoy entertainment from Karate John’s, wood turner Greg Potter, chain canning by Margaret Currier or more. Free admission and parking at the festival. For more information please call Cindy at 315-927-7537 or visit the Clay Historical Association website or Facebook page. 

On Saturday Sept. 28th from 2 pm to 6 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host their annual “Pig & Swig” on the Canal. The fundraiser will showcase craft breweries & wineries from the Central New York region, live entertainment, BBQ-related food trucks and an all-around fun day for everyone. The proceeds of the event will benefit youth and educational programs provided by the Sullivan Community Council & Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. Advanced tickets for $30 can be purchased here. Day of the event tickets can be purchased for $35 at the door. For more information please visit chittenangolanding.com

On Saturday Sept. 28th the Good Nature Farm Brewery will host the Great Hamilton Chocolate Train Wreck Celebration. Come and hear the story of the train carrying Nestle’s chocolate that wrecked in the Village of Hamilton. Special tours will be offered each day at 2:30 pm at the site of the wreck, with free shuttle service supplied by First Transit/Colgate Cruiser. For more information please visit goodnaturebrewing.com

On Saturday Sept. 28th the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host a Paranormal Investigation with investigator Kenny Harris. Harris will lead attendees on investigations of the historic landmark. Two investigations will occur, the first from 6 pm to 9 pm and the second from 10 pm to 1 am. Registration is $20. Spots are limited so be sure to register your spot ASAP. To reserve your spot or for more information please visit chittenangolanding.org.

On Sunday Sept. 29th the Good Nature Farm Brewery will host the Great Hamilton Chocolate Train Wreck Celebration. Come and hear the story of the train carrying Nestlé’s chocolate that wrecked in the Village of Hamilton. Special tours will be offered each day at 2:30 pm at the site of the wreck, with free shuttle service supplied by First Transit/Colgate Cruiser. For more information please visit goodnaturebrewing.com.

Editor’s note: Matthew Urtz is Madison County historian. He can be reached at 315.366.2453, Matthew.Urtz@madisoncounty.ny.gov or on Facebook at Madison County NY, History.

By martha

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