Western NY

Madison County Civil War Series Begins September 18th

September 10, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In recognition of the last year of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Sue Greenhagen (Village of Morrisville Historian), Matthew Urtz (Madison County Historian) and Dot Willsey (23rd Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend committee member) are planning a Madison County Civil War Series of programs that feature New York State’s role in the Civil War with particular attention to Madison County’s connection to the War Between the States.

Called “The Banner County” in the mid-1800s because of its voting support of anti-slavery measures, Madison County was a hot-bed of activities that were critical to the outbreak of the war. [Read more…] about Madison County Civil War Series Begins September 18th

NYS Museum Exhibiting At New York State Fair

August 28, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Museum is displaying two historical vehicles at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY, through September 1, 2014. The two vehicles, a 1932 Packard Phaeton and a 1967 Lincoln Executive Limousine, were used by New York Governors Franklin D. Roosevelt and Nelson A. Rockefeller, respectively.

“The Board of Regents and the New York State Museum are honored to exhibit two historical vehicles from the Museum’s collections at the Great New York State Fair,” said State Museum Director Mark Schaming. “For the first time at the State Fair, thousands of New Yorkers will have the opportunity to see these two historical cars that transported Governors Roosevelt and Rockefeller across New York State.” [Read more…] about NYS Museum Exhibiting At New York State Fair

Underground Railroad History: Vigilance Committees

August 25, 2014 by Paul Stewart 22 Comments

As the 1830s drew to a close and the 1840s began, committees were formed in some cities in the north to protect freedom seekers from re-enslavement, and to assist them in their flight to freedom in the north or in Canada. As slave catchers sought freedom seekers, these “vigilance” committees provided legal assistance, food, clothing, money, employment, and temporary shelter.

Such a committee formed in Albany in the early 1840s, and one continued to exist up to the time of the Civil War. Albany’s anti-slavery newspaper, Tocsin of Liberty, identifies ten people, Blacks and whites, as members of the executive body of the local Vigilance Committee in 1842. Some are familiar names from the city’s history, such as Thomas Paul and Revolutionary War veteran Benjamin Lattimore. [Read more…] about Underground Railroad History: Vigilance Committees

Manlius, Madison County, and Abolitionists Talk Planned

July 17, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

After six years of research Alethea “Lee” Connolly has published her book on “forgotten trailblazers” in early 19th Century Central New York. Connolly will present her research on her book The Seceders: Religious Conviction & the Abolitionist Movement in the Town of Manlius, 1834-1844 at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014 at the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum at 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro NY 13134.

As Barbara S. Rivette, Manlius Town Historian, states “The network of families and church affiliations involved in The Seceders spread through Canastota, Clockville, and Peterboro.” Seceders, like early Manlius settler Elijah Bailey, “believed the church had veered off the simple path of Bible religion into pride and folly.” [Read more…] about Manlius, Madison County, and Abolitionists Talk Planned

University at Buffalo Launches Online LGBT Archive

June 2, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The hand-written, photocopied flyer from 1980 asks a question and offers a response: “Gay at UB? Well, you are not alone!!”

The word “not” is underlined four times.

The flyer, as well as other materials in the University at Buffalo Libraries’ latest online archive, “LGBT at UB,” documents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history at the university from the 1970s to the late 1990s. [Read more…] about University at Buffalo Launches Online LGBT Archive

Gerrit Smith Estate, Abolition Hall of Fame 2014 Events

May 13, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) in Peterboro, Madison County, N.Y. will open for the 2014 season on Saturday, May 17 and will be open from 1 – 5 pm seven days per week until Sunday, August 17. The sites will then be open on weekends until September 21 from 1 – 5 pm.

The Gerrit Smith Estate has interior and exterior exhibits on freedom seekers, Gerrit Smith, Smith’s wealth, philanthropy and family, and the Underground Railroad. This site is on the national, state, and county Underground Railroad Trail. NAHOF has the Abolition Hall of Fame exhibit and the chronology of American Abolition from the Colonial Period to Reconstruction. An exhibit on women in the anti-slavery movement was added to the NAHOF museum in 2013. [Read more…] about Gerrit Smith Estate, Abolition Hall of Fame 2014 Events

Peterboro Prepares for Annual Civil War Weekend

May 5, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Peterboro community organizations are finalizing program plans for the 22nd Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend on Saturday, June 14 from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday, June 15 from 10 am to 4 pm.

The educational event is also a fundraiser for the Smithfield Community Association, a not-for-profit that preserves and promotes historic sites in the Town of Smithfield. [Read more…] about Peterboro Prepares for Annual Civil War Weekend

New Photo History of Bridgeport, NY

May 4, 2014 by Editorial Staff 14 Comments

Discussing the importance of the history of Bridgeport, NY, is the newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series. The book titled Bridgeport from local author Judy Barrett boasts a collection of more than 200 archival images.

“Bridgeport is still a hamlet, which is another factor in the continuance of the uniqueness of our community,” writes author Judy Barrett. In her new book, Barrett celebrates the history of this unique hamlet, which lies in both the towns of Cicero, in Onondaga County, and Sullivan, in Madison County. It is divided only by Chittenango Creek, which was the main attraction for settlement in the early years. [Read more…] about New Photo History of Bridgeport, NY

James McGuire: Syracuse ‘Boy Mayor’ and Irish Nationalist

April 26, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Joseph E. Fahey’s James K. McGuire: Boy Mayor and Irish Nationalist (Syracuse Univ. Press, 2014) is the story of a self-educated, charismatic leader who overcame personal tragedy in childhood and was elected the youngest mayor of a major city in America at age 26.

A reformer with a knack for politics, James McGuire (1868–1923) was elected mayor of Syracuse three times as a Democrat in a Republican bastion. Fahey argues that as a candidate for governor in 1898, McGuyire nearly derailed the rise of Theodore Roosevelt and that his ideas and positions informed the candidacy of William Jennings Bryan in his quest for the presidency and the platform of the Democratic Party in those elections. [Read more…] about James McGuire: Syracuse ‘Boy Mayor’ and Irish Nationalist

Erie and Niagara Counties:
‘History in Your Backyard’ Weekend

April 22, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Seven Erie and Niagara County cultural attractions are teaming up to present a collaborative weekend, May 8-10, enabling guests to visit all seven locations for one low price. History in Your Backyard participants will receive a commemorative passport that will be stamped at each attraction. The passport will also contain discounts for numerous local restaurants. [Read more…] about Erie and Niagara Counties:
‘History in Your Backyard’ Weekend