By Matthew Urtz, Madison County Historian
(Madison County, NY – Jan. 2016) On Thursday Feb. 4 at 1 pm the Oriska Valley Seniors will host Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz, who will present “Madison County Exposed.” Come and hear all the salacious stories that headlined local news in Madison County in the 20th Century. The presentation will take place at the Oriskany fire hall. There is no charge for this event. For more information, call 315-366-2453.
On Saturday Feb. 6 at 1 pm the Fabius Historical Society will host a presentation on James Geddes at the Fabius Community Center. Geddes helped to survey the Erie Canal, and the presentation will guide you from early history until its peak. The presentation will also introduce attendees to people who lived and worked on the canal. Anecdotes and interactive activities will allow the audience to become part of the Erie Canal experience. There is no charge for this event. For more information, call Sandy Beglinger at 315-683-5878.
On Saturday Feb. 13 from 9 am to 12 pm the Madison County Historical Society will host a Heritage Handicraft Victorian Handkerchief Valentine Workshop. Instructor Pamela Vogan Lynch will show you how to create your very own Victorian Handkerchief Lady. Registration is $14 for members and $16 for non-members. Registration must be made by Feb. 10th. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register, call 315-363-4136 or visit www.mchs1900.org.
On Saturday Feb. 13 from 2 pm to 4 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host a family film day featuring the film Drums along the Mohawk by Walter Edmonds. Bring the family to watch this historic film. There is no charge to attend. Concession snacks will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.clcbm.org.
On Saturday Feb. 13 at 1 pm the Central New York Living History Center in Cortland will host “Homeville Presents: Martin Sweeney.” Sweeney will present on Homer’s close connections with President Lincoln, William O. Stoddard and Francis B. Carpenter. Admission for the Homeville Presents series is $5, CNY Living History Center Members, active duty military and children under 5 are free. For more information, call (607) 299-4185 or email info@cnylivinghistory.org.
On Saturday Feb. 13 at 1 pm the Oneida County Historical Society hosts “Voices in the Storm: Stories from the Blizzard of ’66.” Jim Farfaglia, author of Voices in the Storm: Stories from the Blizzard of ’66, will show a PowerPoint presentation on one of the worst storms in upstate NY history. Copies of the book will be for sale. There is no charge for this event, but donations are encouraged. For more information, call 315-735-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.
On Sunday Feb. 14 at 2 pm the Town of Onondaga Historical Society welcomes Alfred Jacques of the Onondaga Nation to speak. Jacques is a traditional lacrosse stick maker. He will discuss and demonstrate the process of making wooden lacrosse sticks. The meeting is at the Town of Onondaga Hall, and there is no charge for this event. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.onondagatownhist.org.
On Sunday Feb. 14 at 2 pm the Clinton Historical Society will present “The Founding of Clinton – 1787.” Come and listen as Robert Tegart, past President and current Coordinator of the Society will speak on the early history of the area tracing the grown of Clinton from primitive pioneer settlement to a thriving agricultural and mercantile community. Tegart will discuss early land grants, settlement, housing and the development of the economy. There is no charge for this event. For more information, visit www.clintonhistory.org, or call 315-859-1392.
On Thursday Feb. 18 at 7:30 pm the Town of Marshall Historical Society will host a presentation by Carol Shaw entitled “Shaw’s Maple Products.” Come and hear about local farmer Carol Shaw explain her family farm, what they produce and the maple tapping process . For more information, contact Yvonne Brady via email at ybskyline@gmail.com.
On Wednesday Feb. 24 at 7 pm the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation and the Cazenovia Public Library will host a presentation on an early transportation crisis in the Town of Cazenovia. Julie Shotzberger will present the issues the occurred after the town was bypassed for both the Erie Canal and early railroads. She will explain how the crisis was solved and what impacts the solutions had on the development of industry in the town. There is no charge for this event. For more information, visit http://cazpreservation.org.
On Friday Feb. 26 at 11 am the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a special “Behind the Scenes Tour” with educator Molly Jessup. Come and learn all the secrets that are not on the regular tour. A $5 is suggested, and reservations in advance are required. To reserve your spot or for more questions, call 315-363-0745, extension 4223.
On Saturday Feb. 27 at 11 am & 1 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a special “Behind the Scenes Tour” with educator Molly Jessup. Come and learn all the secrets that are not on the regular tour. A $5 is suggested, and reservations in advance are required. To reserve your spot or for more questions, call 315-363-0745, extension 4223.
On Sunday Feb. 28 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will have their annual Bowling Bash Fundraiser. Registration is at 12:30, bowling begins at 1. For more information please contact Jim Vittorio at 687-9015.
On Wednesday March 9 at 7 pm the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation and the Cazenovia Public Library will host the presentation “From Bingley to Busti.” Come and learn the story of a Madison County Mill which existed for close to 160 years before being torn down. Here how remnants from the mill are now part of a thriving mill in western NY, and the miller’s home is a residence in another town. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit http://cazpreservation.org.
On Saturday March 12 from 8 am until 4 pm Onondaga County Community College will host the Central New York National History Day Competition. National History Day is a year-long educational program sponsored by the New York State Historical Association that encourages students to explore local, state, national and world history. Students can select a historical topic that relates to a theme, this year it is Explore, Encounter, Exchange, and perform their own research utilizing libraries, archives, museums and oral history interviews. The students final project is presented before a grading committee. Local project winners will be eligible to take part in the state wide competition held in Cooperstown. The deadline for entries is Feb. 27. To enter or for more information please call Scott Peal at 315-428-1864, extension 317.
On Saturday March 12 from 10 am to 4 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a basket-making workshop with Linda Scherz Allen of Adirondack Basketry. Come and make a basket just in time for Easter. $50 includes all materials. Bring a bag lunch. Registration is required. For more information or to register please call 315-363-0745.
On Sunday March 13 at 2 pm the Village of Clinton Historical Society will host a talk entitled “One Room Schools in Kirkland.” More information to come. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit www.clintonhistory.org, or call 315-859-1392.
On Thursday March 17 at 7:30 pm the Town of Marshall Historical Society will host a presentation by Oneida County Historian Joe Bottini entitled “TBD.” For more information please contact Yvonne Brady via email at ybskyline@gmail.com.
On Tuesday March 22 at 7 pm the Canastota Public Library will host a special Canalside talk on Matilda Joslyn Gage. Sarah Flick will talk about Gage’s history as an abolitionist, suffragette, defender of Native American Rights, mother-in-law to L. Frank Baum and much, much more. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-697-7030.