History, Natural History & the Arts
Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery to become the great Black orator and statesman of the nineteenth century, has long been associated with his homes in Rochester, and Washington, DC.
He played key roles in the Abolitionist Movement, Underground Railroad, and nascent Women’s Rights Movement in Central New York. [Read more…] about Frederick Douglass in Central New York
The Black River Canal ran from Rome, NY north to Lyons Falls. This feeder canal system connected the Erie Canal to the Black River and had profound economic impact on Rome and other communities where the canal flowed through.
In the city of Rome, the Black River Canal was filled in and is known today as Black River Boulevard. Sections of the original canal system are still visible in parts of Oneida County. [Read more…] about Black River Canal Program at Rome Historical Society
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Rome Branch will host a showing of their new film 49 Years…and Counting. The Story of the Rome Branch, on Saturday, April 30th at the Rome Historical Society. [Read more…] about New Documentary On Rome, NY Branch of NAACP
The Rome Historical Society will host local author, Karen Foresti Hempson to discuss her book Bean Pickers, American Immigrant Portraits, on Wednesday, April 20th. [Read more…] about Bean Pickers: Italian American Immigrant Portraits
The Afro-American Heritage Association (AAHA) has installed a temporary exhibit at Rome Historical Society (RHS) last month in honor of the 44th Annual Black History Month.
The installation will remain on display for several months as a reminder to celebrate Black communities all year long. [Read more…] about Black History Exhibit At Rome Historical Society
Some half dozen canals were already in operation in America when the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Erie Canal occurred in Rome, NY on July 4th, 1817. They were largely local operations however, where the Erie and Champlain Canals sought to connect great regions of the United States.
It took eight years to dig, but developing a workable plan was a nearly 100-year-long process. [Read more…] about Conceiving of the Erie Canal (A Virtual Talk)
The Rome Historical Society will present “Erie Canal Exhibit Talk,” a virtual program looking at the ways the Erie Canal provided a way of life for Central New Yorkers in the 19th Century, set for Wednesday, February 16th. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Artifacts Talk With Brad Utter (Virtual Event)
On January 18th, 2022 Rome Historical Society (RHS) announced a new video series called The Griffiss Experience. Throughout 2022 RHS will release four videos on YouTube, featuring members of the community and their memories of Griffiss Air Force Base. [Read more…] about Griffiss Air Force Base Subject of Video Series
The Rome Historical Society will present “Airplane Tales,” a virtual program with Jim Coulthart set for Wednesday January 19th. [Read more…] about Airplane Tales: Central NY WWII Aircraft Incidents & Accidents
Before the Civil War, thousands of people traveled from slavery to freedom on what became known as the Underground Railroad, an epic movement for civil rights in America.
With easy access to transportation by road, canal, and railroad, Rome, New York, became a hot spot. Here, freedom seekers found local allies and often stayed to live, work, and raise their families. [Read more…] about Underground Railroad in Rome, NY (Virtual Program)