COLUMN: Events of Historical Note
On Wednesday February 28th 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. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-363-5980.
On Saturday March 3rd at 12:30 pm 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 Peter Smith of Peterboro, Furs, Land and Anguish on Gerrit’s father Peter. Following the talk copies of the book will be available for purchase and Dann will be signing copies. There is no charge for this event. For more information please email info@gerritsmith.org or call 315-280-8828.
On Saturday March 3rd at 1:00 pm the Fabius Historical Society will host a special presentation titled “Lady Liberty: The Story of the Stature of Liberty” at the Fabius Community Center. Local author will talk about the statue of liberty and its history. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call Sandy Beglinger at 315-683-5878.
On Saturday March 3rd at 1:00 pm the Oneida County Historic Center will host a special exhibit opening for their new display on Benita “Be” Denemark. Denemark was one of Utica’s leading businesswomen in the mid-20th century. The exhibit highlights her accomplishments in the business community and her work in social justice and women’s equality. Brian Howard, Director of the History Center, will introduce the exhibit followed by remarks from Denemark’s family and friends. There is no charge for this event but donations are encouraged. For more information please call 315-735-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.
On Thursday March 8th at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm 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 please call 315-363-0745 or visitwww.oneidacommunity.org.
On Saturday March 10th at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm 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 please call 315-363-0745 or visitwww.oneidacommunity.org.
On Saturday March 10th at 1:00 pm the Oneida County History Center will host a special presentation entitled “The History of the Brothertown Indians.” Janet Dangler, Town of Marshall Historian, will discuss the Brothertown Indians who were formed from several northeastern tribes to preserve their common culture and identity. The Brothertown Indians settled in the Deansboro area in the 1770’s and later relocated to Wisconsin. Dangler will discuss the group’s history, share stories of well-known Brothertons including Samson Occum, Asa Dick and Romance Wyatt. There is no charge for this event although donations are encouraged. For more information please call 315-735-3642 or visitwww.oneidacountyhistory.org.
On Sunday March 11th at 2:00 pm 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 please call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.
On Wednesday March 14th from 10:00 am to 11:00 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. Gilles Roy will present on DeWitt Clinton and the New York Memorial. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit www.chittenangolanding.com.
On Thursday March 15th at 7:00 pm 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 please email marshallhistory17@gmail.com.
On Saturday March 17th at 2:00 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will draw the winner of its Saint Patrick’s Day Giveaway. Tickets are $50 and only 200 tickets will be sold. The winner does not have to be present, they will be contacted by the museum. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or you can visit www.chittenangolanding.comfor more information.
On Saturday March 17th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm the Oneida County History Center will host its 3rd annual Irish Tea. Come and enjoy a three course tea complete with finger foods, desserts, door prizes and more. Entertainment will include a presentation by Bob Sullivan on John F. Kennedy. Tickets are $18 or $135 for a table of 8 and can be purchased at the history center or by phone at 315-735-3642, as well as at the door on the day of the event. For more information please call 315-732-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.
On Sunday March 18th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm the Madison County Historical Society will sponsor a Heritage Handcraft Leisure Arts Workshop on “Ukrainian Pysanka Egg Decoration” at the First United Methodist Church in Oneida. Teacher Linda Evans taught art at local school districts and has taught Ukrainian egg decorating for more than 18 years. The workshop is for adults aged 13 and up. All materials will be provided. Registration is $25 and required prior to the event (The workshop is limited to 20 participants). This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program a recent program of the New York State Council on the Arts. For more information please call315-363-4136 or visit www.mchs1900.org.
On Sunday March 18th at 1:00 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House continues its “Beyond Belief: Religion in American Life” series with a 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 please call 315-363-0745 or visitwww.oneidacommunity.org.
On Thursday March 22nd at 7:00 pm the Canastota Canal Town Museum presents “Women in Action” at the Canastota Public Library. Joe DiGiorgio and Liz Metzger will offer biographical sketches of local women Pearl Bush, Pamela Balducci and Alison Kingsbury along with national figures Mary Potts, Hedy Lamarr and Amelia Earhart, who will be role played by Metzger. All of these women have influenced our way of living and have connections to our local area. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-697-7030.
On Saturday March 24th at 1:00 pm 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 please call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.
On Saturday March 24th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse will host a genealogy and family History Workshop and Case Study. The seminar will feature two sessions, a morning session on how artifacts, articles and hidden collations can help you break through brick walls and an afternoon session telling the story of a World War I Dagger and its travels from Canada to France to the US and back to its original owner. Registration for an individual session is $10 for members or $12 for non-members. Registration for both sessions (which includes lunch) is $15 for members or $20 for non-members. For more information or to register please call 315-471-0593 extension 15 or visitwww.eriecanalmuseum.org.
On Wednesday April 11th from 10:00 am to 11:00 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 www.chittenangolanding.com.
On Friday April 13th at 6:30 pm the Morrisville Public Library welcomes Morrisville Village Historian Sue Greenhagen who will present on new items she has collected. Come and see the new photos, artifacts and more as well as the stories behind them. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-684-9130.
On Sunday April 15th at 1:00 pm the Oneida Community Mansion House continues its “Beyond Belief: Religion in American Life” series by welcoming Lynne Barnes, a former member of the Kerista Community to speak about living in a communal setting. The Kerista Community was located in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. Barnes will talk about her experiences living in the community and whether a Utopian Community can succeed. Entry is free to all members, $7 for non-members and $3 for students. For more information visitwww.oneidacommunity.org.
On Thursday April 19th at 7:00 pm the Town of Marshall Historical Society will host a special presentation on Writing Your Own History. Genealogist Gary Ford will show you the best methods to tell your own story in this educational class. There is no charge for this event. For more information please email marshallhistory17@gmail.com.
On Sunday April 22nd at the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a special Earth Day event. Come and hike the pathway to take care of our environment in this annual litter clean up. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-363-0745 or visit www.oneidacommunity.org.
On Thursday April 26th the Madison County Historical Society will host a Leisure Art Festival for youth. More information to come.
On Saturday April 28th at the Oneida Community Mansion House will host a special Arbor Day event. Come and learn about the 30 plus varieties of trees planted at the Oneida Community mansion House. Nature-based activities and demonstrations for all ages. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-363-0745 or visitwww.oneidacommunity.org.