The New York State Council of the Arts and Greater Hudson Heritage Network Grant Program now offer three opportunities for collecting institutions in New York State including Conservation Treatment Grants, Preservation Supplies Grants, and Site Assessment Grants. [Read more…] about Conservation Grant Awardees Announced
Chenango County Historical Society
Freedom in New York: Chenango County, the Underground RR & US Colored Troops
During Black History Month 2023, I received an email from Jill Mirabito, a longtime resident of Norwich, Chenango County, NY, and Associate Vice President for University Advancement at SUNY Oneonta. The note pertained to the Chenango County Historical Society having honored Benjamin J. Tillett, an African American resident of Norwich during and after the Civil War. He had been a slave in Northeast North Carolina before arriving in Norwich.
In November 1863, Tillett enlisted in the 11th United States Colored Heavy Artillery (also known as the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery). He returned to Norwich after the war and died there in 1902. Before his death, he had a membership with the E.B. Smith Post, GAR, A Knight Templar of Palestine Commandery, and attended religious services frequently at the local AME Zion Church. The admiration that Tillett received from his adopted residence caught my attention. I was intrigued. [Read more…] about Freedom in New York: Chenango County, the Underground RR & US Colored Troops
Chenango County Historical Offers Scholarships
The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) is now accepting applications from graduating high school seniors from Chenango County for the Elinor Robb Troicke Memorial Scholarship. [Read more…] about Chenango County Historical Offers Scholarships