History, Natural History & the Arts
In colonial times Americans encouraged immigration, even in the Declaration of Independence.
“He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither,” Patriots wrote in reference to King George III’s limits on immigration to the colonies. [Read more…] about Genealogy Workshop: 19th-Century Immigrant Ancestor Travel
“Visions of Utica: The City in Oils by Paul Parker, 1952-1968,” a new exhibit at Oneida County History Center in Utica, opened June 25, 2026. This show features iconic scenes of Utica between 1952 and 1968, just before urban renewal transformed the city’s skyline forever.
These iconic images mostly depict a Utica that no longer exists, serving as a nostalgic homecoming for long-time residents and a history lesson for visitors and post-urban-renewal Uticans. [Read more…] about Visions of Utica: The City in Oils, 1952-1968
In the late 1800s, as rapid industrialization transformed the American landscape, a counter-cultural movement emerged. Fed up with the grueling conditions of factory work and the soulless nature of mass-produced goods, the Arts and Crafts Movement championed the idea that beauty and meaningful labor should be accessible to everyone.
Oneida County History Center will host a talk featuring Tom Guiler, author of The Hand-Crafted Utopia: Arts and Crafts Communities in America’s Progressive Era (2025), on Saturday, April 11, at 2 pm at the Oneida County History Center in Utica, NY. [Read more…] about Arts and Crafts Movement Utopias in Progressive America
Long before Utica officially earned its “Tree City” designation, the city was renowned for its picturesque, elm-lined streets. In fact, planners named entire neighborhoods after the trees that provided shade.
However, the 1930s and 1940s brought significant challenges as Dutch elm disease and pests severely reduced the city’s tree cover. [Read more…] about Utica’s Urban Tree Canopy’s Past and Future
In 2017, a national auction gallery offered a formerly unknown painting depicting the Great Fire of Utica in 1837.
This historic blaze destroyed the western side of the 100 block of Genesee Street, the heart of Utica’s growing business district. [Read more…] about Moody Peabody and the 1837 Great Fire of Utica
What does it take to tell the history of a county that stretches from the Revolutionary War battlefields to modern-day industry? At Oneida County History Center in Utica, NY, it takes a lot of “old stuff.”
Like many historical institutions, the History Center has a vast and growing collection of over 250,000 documents and thousands of artifacts, with the majority kept in secure museum storage. [Read more…] about Oneida County History Center Behind The Scenes
The Mohawk Valley Latino Association invites the public to a special event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and fostering cultural exchange in the Mohawk Valley. The celebration will be held on September 20 from 1 until 3 pm at the Oneida County History Center, located at 1608 Genesee Street in Utica, NY.
This event is a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the rich contributions of Latino culture. [Read more…] about Mohawk Valley Latino Association to Host Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
New York State was a gateway for many immigrants, from the colonial era to today and the Erie Canal carried more westbound immigrants than any other trans-Appalachian canal. These newcomers infused the nation with different languages, customs, practices, and religions. [Read more…] about Immigration on the Erie Canal
Lucy Carlile Watson (1855-1938) was born in Utica, New York. Lucy was educated at Young Ladies Seminary and Utica Free Academy in Utica, graduating in 1872.
Her father, Dr. William H. Watson, had an active interest in politics, something he handed down to his daughter. She dedicated her adult life to community service and women’s suffrage causes. [Read more…] about Central NY Activist, Utica Suffragist Lucy Carlile Watson
Utica resident John Zogby is the son of an undocumented immigrant from Lebanon and a politically astute Lebanese mother.
A new documentary film follows his upbringing in East Utica and his journey to becoming a globally renowned political pollster. [Read more…] about Utica Pollster John Zogby Subject of New Documentary
Utica has had a long and rich history of brewing beer. From the 1790s to today, there have been over forty breweries active in the city. Owners and names changed often, but two areas of the city supported the industry with breweries that lasted a year or two to some in operation for a century or more. [Read more…] about A Utica Brewing History Self-Guided Tour
White’s Pottery of Utica, NY, was a famous producer of decorative and utilitarian objects that are now highly sought-after antiques. The stoneware, which was made between 1832 and 1907, is recognizable by its blue and grey color scheme and floral and bird motifs. There were other early and important potteries in Utica however, which are lesser known. [Read more…] about Lesser Known Utica Potteries Talk Set For June 12th
The 146th New York State Volunteers was a Civil War unit raised in Oneida County. In the fall of 1862 the troops crossed the Rapidan River in Virginia with the United States Army of the Potomac.
Over the next two days, the 146th would engage with the Confederates in horrific field conditions and suffer the highest number of casualties the 146th saw in the entire war. [Read more…] about Decimated: The 146th NY at The Battle of the Wilderness
The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica has been leading historic preservation in the region for almost 50 years. They promote the preservation, restoration, and reuse of historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes. [Read more…] about The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica Celebrating 50 Years
Food is the most basic building block of human life. We all need it to survive and thrive.
But where does our food come from? How does it get to where we can eat it? Who decides what products will be available for us to eat? [Read more…] about Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways Project
Utica‘s Saturday Globe redefined the traditional newspaper and expanded regional journalism through innovative color printing and distribution methods. Printed locally in Utica from 1881 to 1924, the Globe shipped 40 different editions to US cities and every corner of the world. [Read more…] about Utica’s Saturday Globe: National News in Color
The Frankfort United N-Trak (FUNTRAK) Model Railroad Club returns to the Oneida County History Center in Utica, NY for its annual holiday exhibition of the club’s model trains and rail history event for all ages. [Read more…] about Holiday Model Railroad Program in Utica
The Oneida County History Center in Utica has opened major nutcracker exhibit, through January 21, 2024. The nutcracker display at Tiny’s Grill in Utica had been a holiday tradition for over thirty years. [Read more…] about A Not So Tiny Nutcracker Exhibit at the History Center in Utica
America was a melting pot of traditions from around the world. The Puritans of New England did not celebrate Christmas. Early German and English immigrants to the Mohawk Valley were more accustomed to celebrating the holiday. In combining elements from various cultures, America developed unique traditions. [Read more…] about Holiday Traditions of the Mohawk Valley
In December 1777, early in the American Revolution, Baron von Steuben joined the fight against the British with the assistance of then ambassador to France Benjamin Franklin.
Appalled by the state of the Revolutionary army, Steuben began teaching soldiers military drills, tactics, and discipline based on Prussian techniques. [Read more…] about Baron von Steuben’s Oneida County Estate
Use your bank’s “bill pay” option (or just send a check)
Thanks for your support! These are difficult times. Without your support we cannot publish the Almanack.
*Donations are not tax deductible.
(Click the X in the top right corner this box to not see this message again for 7 days).