Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz
Matthew Urtz

COLUMN: Events of Historical Note

On Saturday Feb. 3 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the Oneida County History Center will be hosting a special roundtable entitled African Americans in Times of War, part of the Utica/Oneida Branch of the NAACP Annual Black History Month Program. Guest speakers Ms. Pauline Bright, Mr. John Harrison, Mr. Edward Jackson (all of Utica) and Mr. Herbert Thorpe (of Rome) will present on their experiences in the military and its relationship to this year’s black history month theme “African Americans in Times of War.” Following the speakers there will be a tribute to African American Veterans, performances and light refreshments. Veterans and/or friends/family of veterans are asked to bring pictures of veterans in uniforms to the program. These photos will be displayed and utilized for a special presentation honoring African American veterans. There is no charge for this event. For more information, call 315-735-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.

On Wednesday Feb. 7 at 6:30 pm, the Sherrill-Kenwood Public Library will host John Taibi who will present “A Soldier’s Journey through the Heart of the Park.” John will tell the story of a returning WWII POW reunited with his wife, both of whom are sent to Lake Placid by the US Army, by train, so that normalcy can be regained. The story is that of Taibi’s father, a true love story just in time for Valentine’s Day.

On Thursday Feb. 8 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the Longyear Museum of Anthropology will host an opening reception for their new exhibition “Seeing the Table, Food, Place and Community. The student-curated exhibition focuses on foodways within Central New York including local agriculture, Haudenosaunee nations, and international communities to explore themes of indigenous food sovereignty, justice, access, economic development, and memory and identity. The exhibit seeks to understand the role of food in our lives, why the foods we eat matters and how food is connected to a broader cultural, political and economic issues. At 5 p.m. Directory of University Museums Anja Chavez, Associate Curator of Longyear Museum of Anthropology Christy DeLair and student curatorial assistants will give opening remarks. For more information, visit www.colgate.edu/longyear or call 315-228-6470.

On Friday Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a “Behind the Scenes Tour.” Participants will get to see all the special places not on the normal tours including attic spaces, basements and towers of the historic landmark. Attendees will also get to see special materials from the museum’s collection. The tour features 8 staircases so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Registration for the event is $5 for members and $15 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $10). To register your spot or for more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

On Saturday Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a “Behind the Scenes Tour.” Participants will get to see all the special places not on the normal tours including attic spaces, basements and towers of the historic landmark. Attendees will also get to see special materials from the museum’s collection. The tour features 8 staircases so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Registration for the event is $5 for members and $15 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $10). To register your spot or for more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

On Saturday Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. the Oneida County History Center will host a special presentation of Poetry & History Songs. Mohawk Valley musicians Cosby Gibson will each perform special folk and blues numbers. Gibson will perform five original songs from her American History series which portrays the life of the American Settlers during the Revolution. Staudle will put the words of famous poets to original museum. There is no charge for this event buy donations are encouraged. For more information, call 315-732-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.

On Saturday Feb. 10 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the Friends of Lorenzo will host a Masquerade Ball at the Hampton Inn in Cazenovia. A night of disguise, dancing and delight. Music by Washburn Entertainment, complimentary Cocktail Hour, photo booth, hors d’oeuvres, live auction and many more surprises. Tickets are $75 for an individual or $140 for a pair. For more information, visit www.friendsoflorenzo.org.

On Sunday Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a discussion entitled “Women, Religion and Politics.” The discussion will focus on the pivotal role that woman played in changing the political culture of the US through their support of Abolition causes and the Women’s Right Movement. Professor Marcia Robinson of Syracuse University will speak about her research and insights into how Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, an African-American abolitionist, suffragist, poet and author crated a resistance movement that resonates today. The event is free for members and $7 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $3). To register your spot or for more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

On Wednesday Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. 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, visit www.chittenangolanding.com.

On Saturday Feb. 25 the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a 30th Anniversary Brunch! More information to come.

On Saturday March 3 the Smithfield Community Center will host Gerrit Smith’s 221st Birthday Celebration. Come and learn the history of one of New York’s most influential Abolitionists. Gerrit Smith Biographer Norman Dann will be launching his new book on Gerrit’s father Peter. More information to come.

On Thursday March 8 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host special tours honoring International Women’s Day. Guided tours will explore the role of women and gender equality within the Oneida Community and their interactions with the encompassing world. The event is free for members and $7 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $3). To register your spot or for more information, call 315-363-0745 or visitwww.oneidacommunity.org.

On Saturday March 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host special tours honoring International Women’s Day. Guided tours will explore the role of women and gender equality within the Oneida Community and their interactions with the encompassing world. The event is free for members and $7 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $3). To register your spot or for more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

On Sunday March 11 at 2 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a special screening of a “Carol Cook: A Documentary.” Cook was one of three women in the New York State Assembly in the 1960’s and 1970’s. She led extraordinary efforts to crate change within a male dominated government. As a republican assemblywoman she fought for equality and women’s rights. She authored legislation in 1970 that decriminalized abortion in New York State, which paved the way for Roe vs. Wade. The event is free for members and $7 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $3). F more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

On Wednesday March 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. 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, visit www.chittenangolanding.com.

On Thursday March 15 at 7 p.m. the Town of Marshall Historical Society will host a special presentation on the history of Barrel Making. Bob Allers will lead this interesting history on a very popular historical shipping method. There is no charge for this event. For more information, email marshallhistory17@gmail.com.

On Sunday March 18 at 1 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a special discussion of “Designer Babies of the 1800’s.” The Oneida Community practiced family planning in the hopes that their children would inherit spirituality. Join their discussion about how religion influenced family planning and the desire for “designer children” in society today may shape our future. The event is free for members and $7 for non-members (students aged 10-18 are $3). For more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

On Saturday March 24 at 1 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a Historic Preservation Workshop, “Caring for Historic Windows. Stained glass expert and window restorer Jerome Durr (Jerome Durr Studio, LLC) will lead this workshop which will emphasize identifying issues with historic windows and best practices for the care and repair of windows. The event is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Light refreshments included. To register your spot or for more information, call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.

By martha

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