CONTACT US
Karen Binder |
Bookkeeper & Administrative Services | [email protected] | Phone: x 225
Cindy Kjellander-Cantu | Design & Support Specialist | [email protected] | Phone: x 223
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Eva Poysa, on the right, is pictured with her long-time collaborator in textile preservation, Louise Matosich. Eva and Louise worked on The History Center's extensive clothing collection for many years.
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Eva Poysa, long-time volunteer and benefactor of The History Center, died last week. She was 97.
Eva came to work for us more than 30 years ago when we were still the DeWitt Historical Society located in the Clinton House. She often told us the story of how she came here the very day after she retired from her long second career as a secretary and administrative assistant at Cornell University. (Her first career was as a hard-working wife of a farmer in Spencer and mother of five children.) For us, Eva's specialty became the care of our extensive textile collection. She amassed an enormous body of knowledge on the history of clothing in America and used it to help us catalog our diverse textiles and to produce interesting and beautiful exhibits. Her last big project before her retirement from The History Center in 2013 was to help with Underneath it All - Underwear Through the Ages. This whimsical and clever exhibit was the brainchild of Eva and her long-time collaborator in textile management, Louise Matosich. It celebrated underwear it all its myriad forms, from long johns to sports bras, to the great amusement of our public and the appreciation of such news outlets as the Syracuse Post Standard and USA Today, as well as the Ithaca Journal.
Eva was a smart, no-nonsense person who was skillful and painstaking in her work. She was also as reliable as sunrise. One morning she and I were to meet at 8:00 AM to install an exhibit, and when I arrived at 7:30 she was already here waiting for me to open the door. Eva had a lot to teach about life as well as clothing and I loved listening to her stories about her farm, her family, and her days at Cornell. She worked hard all her life and left a trail of grateful people behind her. For those of us who were lucky enough to work with her she will be fondly remembered.
Donna Eschenbrenner - Archivist
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Bookstore Highlight
"TWICE-TOLD TALES: History, Literature, and Family Lore Retold in Narrative Quilts" by Patty Elwin Davis
The History Center has recently started hosting the Tompkins County Quilters Guild workshops to produce a replica of Lawyer's Puzzle Quilt ca. 1830-1860. This, together with the upcoming temporary exhibit on Early Home Decorations, gives us the perfect opportunity to feature this book.
Through the art of quilts Patty Davis tells "the narratives of interesting events and the literary and personal treasures" the author had gathered as a result of her extensive traveling
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Mention this newsletter when purchasing the book and get
20% off!
Sol Goldberg's IMAGES for Sale at The History Center Book Store
Following the end of the exhibit
Come Play With Us
, larger scale images from the publications
Sol Goldberg's Kids and Other Important People
and
Sol Goldberg's Ithaca
are now available in the sale wagon at The History Center Book Store.
Mention this newsletter when purchasing the image and get
20% off!
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Early American Decorative Arts
August 25 - September 24, 2016
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Pontypool Painting |
The Central New York chapter of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration is proud to display original pieces of tin, glass and wood alongside reproductions done by our members. We will have country tin, stenciling, free hand bronze, gold leaf, reverse glass painting, theorems, school girl art, pen work and more, all art work that was part of the 1800-1850 American home. On Saturdays September 17th, and 24th we will be on hand to discuss our work and demonstrate.
Call Anne Dimock at 387-5597 for more information.
Replica of ca. 1830-1860 Lawyer's Puzzle Quilt
By Tompkins County Quilters Guild Members
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TCQG members:
Cora Yao, June Silberman, Kathy Carman and Vivian Rose
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The History Center is now hosting hand-quilting, so come take a look!
This replica of a 150+ year old Lawyer's Puzzle quilt will belong to the collections of The
History Center in Tompkins County in 2018.
The original quilt is too fragile to display, and the upcoming county Bicentennial 2017 provides the perfect opportunity for a Bicentennial Quilt showcasing part of th
e
county's history. Tompkins County Quilters Guild quilters are making an authentic reproduction of the ca. 1830-1860 quilt for the bicentennial.
Our Community Photograph Exhibit
Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
Open from September 22nd to January 2017
According to the Library of Congress, "Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and
contributions of American citizens whose anc
e
stors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America." The History Center will be celebrating local Hispanic heritage in a new photo exhibit
Our Community, featuring local organizations such as the Latino Civic Association and Cornell's Latin American Studies Program. Images of three notable members of Ithaca's Fuertes family will also be on display: Estevan, originally from Puerto Rico, was the first Dean of Cornell's College of Engineering; Louis Agassiz was the renowned bird artist; and James Hillhouse was a prominent and successful civil engineer.
Upcoming Exhibition
Made in Tompkins County
A Timeline of Local Enterprise
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Thomas-Morse Aviation |
October 7th, 2016 - April 20th, 2017
Tompkins County is well known for its educational institutions. What is less known is its rich industrial history. From its earliest days it has been the home of inventors and entrepreneurs - people who laid the commercial foundation of a prosperous community. From grist mills to high tech, local enterprise has encompassed world renowned guns, iron bridges, calendar clocks, steam engines, drive chains, and much more. This broad survey takes a look at the long sweep of enterpri
se in Tompkins County, from its earliest days to the 21st century.
Sponsored by Tompkins Trust Company
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Upcoming Events
The Cherry Arts Theatre Presents:
Storm Country
Friday - Sunday, September 16th- 18th (at Lookout Point, Cayuga Waterfront Trail, Ithaca NY)
Ithaca's first exploration in the emerging form of "headphone theater", The Cherry Arts' Storm Country immerses audiences in a world of voices, music, and environmental sounds as they travel among the ghosts of Ithaca's West End. Inspired by Tess Of The Storm Country, the wildly successful 1909 novel based in Ithaca, Storm Country interweaves the strands of Tess's melodrama with the hidden histories of the neighborhood where they took place. Doing so Storm Country explores the issues that remain as vital in today's Ithaca as they are in the novel: finding home and being denied it, trespassing and security, the power of the water to transform and be transformed.
Storm Country runs Fri-Sun Sept 16-18. Tickets are self-determined pricing, $15 suggested. Reserve at stormcountry.bpt.me/
Look for us at Historic Ithaca's Old House Fair!
Saturday, September 17th, 2016 -
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (212 Center Street, Ithaca, NY 14850)
Featuring vendor booths, demonstrations, and activities throughout the day!
Open House at the Eight Square Schoolhouse
Saturday, September 24th, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (at the Eight Square Schoolhouse, 1748 Hanshaw Road, Dryden, NY 13053)
Bring a picnic lunch and come and learn the history of this over 200 year old school site! See the artifacts we unearthed during this summer's archaeology field school, and watch archaeologists in action as we wrap up this season. Enjoy refreshments from Littletree Orchards, watch the popular Black Sheep Handspinners Guild weave their magic, and participate in old-fashioned games and scavenger hunts. We are also pleased to welcome several renowned guest speakers to this year's festivities: Scott Stull Ph.D.,
Ithaca College Anthropology
Professor and Laura Johnson-Kelly,
Cornell University Collection Manager/Head Photographer/Conservator. Save the date!
All ages welcome for this FREE event!
History Forge Transcription and Data Entry Bee (Volunteers Needed)
Saturday, September 24th, 2016 - 11:00 PM to 1:00 PM (at The History Center)
Come volunteer at our next transcription bee! If you want to participate, please contact Rod Howe at Di
[email protected] and plan on coming at 11:00am. Light refreshments will be served with lots of fun and an educational opportunity that will make Ithaca history come alive. Be sure to bring your laptop.
Come and Visit The History Center's Booth at Judy's Day!
Sunday, September 25th, 2016 - 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (at the Cornell Plantations)
The History Center is proud to be a part of Judy's Day 2016 at Cornell Plantations for this year's theme of Food Plants of the Americas. Visit our booth to learn about 'Saratoga Chips' ~ who invented them, and when and where these original potato chips came into existence. Try peeling potatoes by hand, then sample some delicious chips! Large historic photos from The History Center's collections showing all aspects of potato farming in New York State in the 1930's will also be on display.
"Elevating History in New York State: A Discussion with New York State's 16th State Historian" - Talk by Devin Lander
Saturday, October 1st, 2016 - 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM (at The History Center)
Devin R. Lander, NYS Historian, will discuss the position of State Historian and his plans for
working with the history field to elevate the historical enterprise in New York State. Historians and lovers of New York's history know the amazing depth and breadth of our State's past and its vital importance in leading and shaping the nation. However, New York as a whole continues to struggle to fully maximize the important benefits its unique history presents as an educational tool, community anchor, and economic driver. Lander will discuss his thoughts on these issues and also listen to those interested in sharing their ideas and experiences related to the historical enterprise in New York State.
Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation's Open House
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (Tompkins County Airport Safety Building, 72 Brown Road, Ithaca)
Come see Tommy Getting Dressed for the Occasion! See the skin going on! Enjoy cider, donuts and coffee. For more information visit www.tommycomehome.org/
Save the Date: Celebrating Latinos!
Latinos: Part of the Fabric of the Tompkins County Community
Wednesday, October 5th, 2016- 6:30PM (at The History Center)
This event coincides with the National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15, 2016. The program will highlight the experiences of Latinos living in the county and cover topics such as waves of settlement, motivations for migrations, the diverse set of countries of origin, and definitions and misconceptions. Panelists: Gustavo Licon, Assistant Professor of Latino/a Studies, Ithaca College. Hector Velez, Adj. Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Latino Studies Program, Cornell University
Co-sponsored by by Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County
First Friday Gallery Night, Opening of
Made in Tompkins County:
A Timeline of Local Enterprise
Friday, October 7th, 2016 - 5:00PM to 8:00PM (at The History Center)
Light refreshments will be served.
Visit Us at the Celtic Festival
Saturday, October 8th, 2016 - 11.00 AM - 5:00 PM (at Stewart Park)
The History Center is looking forward to partnering again this year with the Celtic Festival! Come and visit us in the Kids Activities Area where we will have old-fashioned lawn and table games & test your knowledge of Scottish history with our pop quiz! Attendees will also be able to purchase historic photographs from our extensive collections and books on local history. Show us where you live in Tompkins County on our local map! Find out more
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