Events of Historical Note

By Matt Urtz, Madison County Historian

(Madison County, NY – April 2015) The following historical programs are happening in and around Madison County during April and May.

On Sunday April 12 at 2 pm the Smithfield Community Center will host Greene Smith’s Birthday Party.  To commemorate Smith’s birthday the party will feature writers promoting Greene’s new book and old gun, as well as a program about the re-discovery of Greene’s birdhouse.

On Sunday April 12 at 2 pm the Clinton Historical Society welcomes Melanie Martin who will present “Private Lyons Wakefield; uncovered Civil War Female Soldier.”  Melanie Martin will tell the story of Wakefield, a female soldier during the Civil War.  For more information please visit www.clintonhistory.org.

On Wednesday April 15 at 7 pm the Town of Onondaga Historical Society will host a presentation on the Split Rock Explosion of 1918 by John Hrynck and Rich Miller at the Town Hall on Ball Road.  Hrynck and Miller will tell the story of the munitions factory that was located there during WWI and the explosion that killed at least 50 people on July 2nd, 1918.  There is no charge for this event.  After the talk light refreshments will be served.  For more information please call 315-214-2383 or email tohsociety@yahoo.com.

On Saturday April 18 from 9 am to 1 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host their spring “Canal Clean Sweep.”  Volunteers are encouraged to come help clean and prepare the buildings and grounds for the 2015 visitor and education season.  Volunteers are needed to vacuum, dust, wash windows, rake, weed and other necessary jobs.  Pre-registration is suggested.  For more information please visit www.clcbm.org.

On Saturday April 18 at 7 pm the Town of Madison Historical Society will host a traditional country dance featuring Double Chase.  Two sets of square dancers will be available as well as line dancing and more.  It’s fun to watch or to take part.  During a break sample a slice of pie or a grilled hotdog or burger.  Door prizes too!!!!.  A suggested donation of $8 for the Town of Madison Historical Society is appreciated.  For more information please call 315-893-7910.

NEW!!  On Sunday April 19 at 4 pm the Hendricks Chapel on the Syracuse University hosts the Syracuse Chorale who will present “A Lincoln Legacy.” The event marks the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and CNY”s role in the abolition and suffrage movement during the Civil War era.  Advance tickets are $12, and tickets at the door are $15.  For more information please visit www.syracusechorale.org.

On Wednesday April 22 from 9 am to 4 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will be hosting a Textile Collection Event.  To celebrate “Earth Day” CLCBM will be collecting and clean, dry clothing, linens, bedding, curtains whether its worn, torn or stained.  Donations will be recycled.  For more information please visit www.clcbm.org.

On Wednesday April 22 at 7 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House kicks off its “Buildings by Design:  Your Neighborhood Architects” series.  The event debuts with Oneida Community Mansion House Curator Anthony Wonderly who will speak on the architects and designers of the Oneida Community Mansion House.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please visit www.oneidacommunity.org or call 315-363-0745.

On Thursday April 23 at 7 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host a special 30th Anniversary program entitled “Digging into the Past:  Uncovering the Dry Docks c. 1985.”  Doug Rainbow, who was involved with the original dig 30 years ago, will tell the story what was found and why the area was referred to as “Rainbow Beach.”  There is no charge for this event.  Light refreshments will be served.  For more information please visit www.clcbm.org.

On Saturday April 25 railroad historians John Taibi and Jim Georges will host a bus tour of the New Your Central Railroad’s Chenango Branch.  The tour will go from Cazenovia to Syracuse and will visit railroad sites in Cazenovia, the tunnel, Oran, Manlius, Fayetteville (where the famous ice train wreck took place) and much more.  Reservations are required.  For more information or to reserve a place please call John Taibi, 315-655-8045 or Jim Georges, 315-662-7729.

On Monday April 27 at 7 pm the Canastota Public Library and the Canastota Canal Town Museum partner for their “Canalside Chats.”  This month will feature author William R. Farrell who will present “Stops along the Erie Canal.”  The presentation will include stories, legends, anecdotes and history behind some of the most recognized places along the canal from here to Albany.  For more information please call 824-3060.

On Monday April 27 at 6:30 pm the Hamilton Public Library welcomes Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz who will present “CNY Hops, Birth, Death and Re-birth.”  The talk will share the history of Central New York Hops, how they started their dizzying heights, their long fall and their recent return to prominence.  For more information please call 315-824-3060.

On Wednesday April 29 at 7 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House hosts the second part of its “Buildings by Design: Your Neighborhood Architects” series.  Elizabeth Crawford, a Senior Associate and Designer for Crawford and Stearns Architects and Preservation planners, will speak on the architect Albert Brockway, architect of dozens of Central New York buildings.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please visit www.oneidacommunity.org or call 315-363-0745.

On Saturday May 2 from 10 am to 12 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host “I Love My Park Day.”  Join family, friends, and neighbors for a day of giving back to our NYS Parks and Historic Sites at the museum.  Visit http://nysparks.com/events/event.aspx?e=17-12525.0 to see how you can help or call Diane or Anne at 315-687-3801.

On Wednesday May 6 at 7 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House hosts the third part of its “Buildings by Design: Your Neighborhood Architects” series.  Bill Bowen will speak on Ward Wellington Ward, architect of dozens of Central New York buildings on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please visit www.oneidacommunity.org or call 315-363-0745.

On Friday May 8 at 6:30 pm the Morrisville Public Library welcomes Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz who will present “Female Faces of Madison.  Urtz will tell the stories of 20+ women with ties to Madison County who impacted American History.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please call 315-684-9130.

On Wednesday May 13 at 7 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House hosts the final part of its “Buildings by Design: Your Neighborhood Architects” series.  Giles Wayland-Smith will speak on Theodore Skinner.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please visit www.oneidacommunity.org or call 315-363-0745.

On Saturday May 16 at 7 pm the Town of Madison Historical Society will host a traditional country dance featuring the Rhythm Aires with Ray Randel. Two sets of square dancers will be available as well as line dancing and more.  It’s fun to watch or to take part.  During a break sample a slice of pie or a grilled hotdog or burger.  Door prizes too!!!!.  A suggested donation of $8 for the Town of Madison Historical Society is appreciated.  For more information please call 315-893-7910.

On Wednesday May 20 at 7:00pm, the Town of Onondaga Historical Society will host a talk on the “Sims Gang” at the Town Hall on Ball Road.  The “Sims Gang” notorious in the crime scene of Camillus in the middle 1800’s. There is no charge for this event.  After the talk light refreshments will be served.  For more information please call 315-214-2383 or email tohsociety@yahoo.com.

On Thursday May 28 at 6:30 pm the Madison County Civil War Series welcomes Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz to the Hamilton Public Library.  Urtz will present “Samuel Beckwith; Grant’s Shadow.”  Urtz will tell the story of Beckwith who was born and raised in Hamilton, NY and worked as the cipher operator for Ulysses S. Grant and at the end of the war President Lincoln.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please call 315-366-2453.

On Thursday May 28 at 7 pm the Friends of Lorenzo welcome Ann-Isabel Friedman, Director of the Landmarks Conservancy in New York, to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.  In celebration of preservation month Friedman will present “Saving New York’s Sacred Properties.”  Friedman will showcase both past support and future funding opportunities as made possible by Sacred Sites, a grant program that has helped more than 720 houses of worship throughout New York.  There is no charge for this event.  For more information please visit www.lorenzony.org or call Diane Voss at 315-655-3200, ext. 100.