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Western NY

SUNY Oswego Now Recognized As A University

January 8, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

SUNY OswegoSUNY Oswego is now formally recognized as a university. The university will continue to be known as SUNY Oswego, but its official state education title will change from “State University of New York College at Oswego” to “State University of New York at Oswego.” [Read more…] about SUNY Oswego Now Recognized As A University

Filed Under: Western NY Tagged With: SUNY Oswego

Winter Nature Sundays Return to Genesee Country Village & Museum

January 4, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

sledders at Genesee Country Village & MuseumGenesee Country Village & Museum in the small hamlet of Mumford, about 20 miles from Rochester, NY, will open its doors and trails beginning on Sunday, January 8th, for Winter Nature Sundays – with opportunities for visitors to explore the snowy grounds, learn about local wildlife, and enjoy outdoor family fun. [Read more…] about Winter Nature Sundays Return to Genesee Country Village & Museum

Filed Under: Events, History, Western NY Tagged With: Genesee Country Village & Museum

History Corrected: Adirondack Guide Charles H Smith & King Edward VII

January 3, 2023 by Roy Crego 4 Comments

New Bremen, Atlas of Lewis CountyHistory often makes a muddle of people’s lives. One such example is Charles H. Smith (ca. 1832 – 1911) of Petries Corners in the town of Watson, Lewis County, NY. Charles was well known as an Adirondack guide in the Beaver River/Stillwater area of the Western Adirondacks.

He lived to a ripe old age as an elder statesman of the guiding fraternity. But confusing reports of his age, a story about guiding for royalty, and a common first and last name have obscured his actual accomplishments. [Read more…] about History Corrected: Adirondack Guide Charles H Smith & King Edward VII

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, History, Nature, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: Adirondack Guides, Adirondacks, Beaver River, Boonville, botany, Brown's Tract, Horatio Seymour, Lewis County, Stillwater, Watson

James Bradley, Oberlin College’s ‘First’ Black Student

January 3, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Speculation and the Saga of James Bradley, Oberlin’s ‘First’ Black StudentJames Bradley was not the first African American to study at Oberlin College, but chroniclers and historians of abolition have long mistaken the facts of his life.

The Massachusetts Historical Society will host “If Wishes Were Sources: Speculation and the Saga of James Bradley, Oberlin’s ‘First’ Black Student,” a program with John Frederick Bell, Assumption University with comment by Julie Winch, University of Massachusetts Boston, set for Thursday, January 12th. [Read more…] about James Bradley, Oberlin College’s ‘First’ Black Student

Filed Under: Events, History, Western NY Tagged With: Massachusetts Historical Society

Waterville, NY’s Automotive Pioneer Frank Snell

January 2, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In November of 1900, Frank Snell in his horseless carriageThe Waterville Times reported that “Frank Snell, who has been building an automobile during the past few months, had it far enough toward completion to give it trial on Tuesday. It ran nicely but was rather too fast for everyday use on our roads. He is remedying the defect.”

The article noted that the top speed of “the horseless carriage” reached was 15-20 miles an hour – a speed only achieved by locomotives at that time. [Read more…] about Waterville, NY’s Automotive Pioneer Frank Snell

Filed Under: Events, History, Western NY Tagged With: Oneida County History Center

100 Acres Added to Klipnocky State Forest, Allegany County

December 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

dog in orange hunting vest with two pheasants it retrieved after a successful hunt on Klipnocky State ForestIn the winter of 2021, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) acquired 100 acres in the Klipnocky State Forest. Already a unique forest, this new property adds a new level of habitat diversity to the area. It is composed of 25 acres of hay fields and 55 acres of early successional habitat that is chock-full of blueberries, thornapple, and dogwoods. The remaining acreage has open ponds that are home to beavers and the occasional wood duck. [Read more…] about 100 Acres Added to Klipnocky State Forest, Allegany County

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: Allegany County, Almond, DEC, hiking, hunting, Klipnocky State Forest, nature, Wildlife

Bridge Completes New Oswego County Little Sandy Creek Trail

December 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Little Sandy Creek Bridge (3)The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the completion of the Little Sandy Creek Bridge, a 110-foot structure that extends over Little Sandy Creek in the Winona State Forest.

The newly constructed bridge, located in the town of Boylston, Oswego County, is part of the new one-mile Little Sandy Creek Trail, completed this fall in partnership with the Winona Forest Recreation Association (WFRA). [Read more…] about Bridge Completes New Oswego County Little Sandy Creek Trail

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: bicycling, Boylston, DEC, hiking, Oswego County, snowmobiling, Tug Hill Plateau, Winona State Forest

Otsego Outdoor Challenge Marks 5000th Trek

December 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

winter octetAs Lee Ann and Rick Myers of Oneonta completed the Otsego Outdoors Fall Octet Challenge, it marked the 5000th trek Octet participants have completed. A collaborative program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust and Otsego County Conservation Association, Otsego Outdoors connects residents and visitors with year-round recreational opportunities in and near Otsego County. [Read more…] about Otsego Outdoor Challenge Marks 5000th Trek

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, Butternut Valley Alliance, Cross-Country Skiing, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary, Gilbert Lake State Park, Glimmerglass State Park, Goodyear Lake State Forest, hiking, Otsego 2000, Otsego County, Robert V Riddell State Park, Rogers Environmental Center, Texas School House State Forest

Oneida Lake Boat Launch Construction Starts

December 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Oneida Lake Boat LaunchWork has begun at the new boat launch on the Barge Canal at Cove Road, in the town of Verona, Oneida County. [Read more…] about Oneida Lake Boat Launch Construction Starts

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: boating, DEC, fishing, Oneida County, Oneida Lake, paddling, Universal Access, Verona

Puritans, Prussians, and the History of Christmas Cards

December 24, 2022 by Jaap Harskamp 3 Comments

First Xmas card by John Callcott HorsleyNew York has important associations with the formation of what is now considered a traditional American Christmas. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (a.k.a. “Twas The Night Before Christmas”) was first published in the Troy Sentinel in 1823; The Albany Evening Journal ran an advertisement on December 17, 1841, that is believed to be the first time Santa Clause was used to advertise a store; and America’s first Christmas card was published in Albany in 1850/51.

Recently two rare printings of the first commercially printed Christmas card, published in England, have been announced for sale at auction. The cards depicts a family toasting with glasses of red wine. Commissioned by Henry Cole and designed by John Callcott Horsley, it carries the message “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” [Read more…] about Puritans, Prussians, and the History of Christmas Cards

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Arts, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Christmas, Cultural History, Holidays, Religious History

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