History, Natural History & the Arts
In 1824 and 1825 Marquis de Lafayette, the French nobleman who volunteered and became an invaluable leader during the American Revolution and was then the war’s last surviving major general, toured the United States in a celebrated “Farewell Tour.”
He visited several sites in the Mohawk Valley, his third time there. [Read more…] about Lafayette’s Visits to the Mohawk Valley
On Wednesday, May 15th at 5:30 pm the Rome Historical Society invites the community for a presentation and tour of the exhibit area at their museum located at 200 Church Street in Rome, NY. [Read more…] about Rome Historical Society Reinterpretation Program Set for May 15th
On Saturday, April 6th, at 10:30 am Rome Historical Society will hold a ceremonial re-opening of their Museum at 200 Church Street in Rome, NY. Following brief remarks out front, the museum will be opened, and those in attendance will be invited inside to tour the exhibits and re-acquaint themselves with all the Museum has to offer. [Read more…] about Rome Historical Society Reopening Museum Saturday After 18 Months
The Rome Historical Society invites the community to experience the Erie Canal in multiple ways from the comfort of their auditorium at 200 Church Street in Rome, NY, on February 21st at 5:30 pm. The program will take place in three parts: [Read more…] about Rome and the Erie Canal: A Past, Present & Futuristic Look
On January 17th at 5:30 pm the Rome Historical Society invites the community to a town hall where an open forum will provide a look at the changes coming at the Historical Society in 2024 and answer questions. [Read more…] about Rome Historical Society To Host Town Hall
For centuries, humans had been interacting with the geology and environment of Upstate New York, but when construction of the Erie Canal commenced in 1817, the vastness of the project and the environment that it would cut through became its largest obstacle. [Read more…] about Through the Mire: Erie Canal Environmental History
From its beginning in 1941 at Hamilton Field, CA through 1987 when it called Griffiss Air Force Base near Rome, NY, home, the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron had a pivotal role in the air defense of North America during the Cold War. [Read more…] about The 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
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
The Rome Rotary Club in partnership with the Rome Historical Society will hold their Independence Day Observance at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 4th at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution located on the corner of James and Liberty Streets in Rome, NY. [Read more…] about July 4th Ceremony at American Revolution Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers
In the early 20th century Rome, NY was a baseball town with many outstanding teams playing in various pro, semi-pro, and industrial leagues. One of those leagues was the Canadian American (Can-Am) which came to the city in 1937 and would continue through 1951. [Read more…] about The Rome, NY Colonels Baseball History
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Diane Miller will present a program on the rise of women’s social organizations in Rome, Oneida County, NY, at the turn of the 20th century. [Read more…] about Women’s Social Organizations in Rome NY
Three notable 19th century religious and education figures started their paths to national fame in Westernville, Oneida County, NY: Rev. Charles Grandison Finney, Rev. George Washington Gale and Theodore Dwight Weld. [Read more…] about Revivalism and Educational Reform: Roots in Oneida County
For generations, the Indigenous people in the northeast region of North America have used wampum, onikó:lha’ (o knee goal), for ceremonial, ornamental, diplomatic and commercial purposes. Wampum has represented friendship, alliances, and rank. In some cases, it is considered part of the historical record. [Read more…] about Oneida Wampum: Ceremonial, Ornamental, Diplomatic and Commercial
The Rome Historical Society will host “Airplane Tales II,” a program with aviation historian James “Jim” Coulthart set for Wednesday, December 21st. [Read more…] about Airplane Tales From Central NY and Rome Army Airfield
Colonial America was a melting pot of people from varied nations and traditions. The Puritans of New England did not celebrate Christmas at all. The early German and English immigrants to the Mohawk Valley were more accustomed to celebrating the holiday. In combining elements from various cultures, America developed its own unique traditions.
The custom of burning the Yule Log goes back to before medieval times. Yule is the name of the old Winter Solstice festivals in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe, such as Germany. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings. [Read more…] about Holiday Music & Traditions of the Mohawk Valley
In the nineteenth century, hops dominated the rural economy in central New York including Madison County where they were first cultivated.
The Rome Historical Society will host “When Hops Were King,” a program with Madison County Historian, Matt Urtz set for Wednesday, September 21st at the Rome Historical Society. [Read more…] about When New York Hops Were King
Fort Bull and the Oneida Carrying Place were important parts of the military and Indigenous landscape that shaped the development of the Upper Mohawk Valley region.
The Oneida Carrying Place, a four-mile overland route that connected the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, was vital to British military campaign strategies beginning with the French and Indian War. The Carry also saw significant action during St. Leger’s American Revolution Campaign (1777), which included the Siege of Fort Stanwix/Schuyler and the Battle of Oriskany. [Read more…] about Fort Bull – Oneida Carrying Place Archaeology Funded
In August 1758, during the French and Indian War Lieutenant Colonel John Bradstreet launched a secret military expedition against the French Fort Frontenac on Lake Ontario.
The expedition left from the Oneida Carrying Place, a several mile long portage where boats had to be dragged between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek. It is was located at what is now Rome, Oneida County, NY. [Read more…] about 1758: The Fall of Fort Frontenac
A significant turning point in the American Revolution, the Battle of Oriskany was fought on August 6th, 1777, and is considered one of the bloodiest battles of the war. [Read more…] about The Battle of Oriskany, One Of The Bloodiest of the Revolution
The Rome Historical Society will host “Bikes Beer & History (Retracing Rome’s Brewing History),” a bike tour around Rome, NY with Rome Historical Society Educator, Miranda Sherrock, and Bob Allers, set for Monday, August 1st. [Read more…] about Bike Tour to Retrace Rome, NY’s Brewing History
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